Research
indicate that as many as on in four kid's in school may have visual problems.
Some children are labeled as 
learning
disabled, ADD or ADHD, or some are labeled as lazy. The child could also act
up because it is hard for them to concentrate close up. They have a hard time
focusing and to keep their eyes on the page.
Realize that your students my not tell you that they have trouble because they don't realize that the world isn't supposed to be blurry.
The following is a cheklist for detecting vision problems in the classroom. If you notice any of the behaviours listed you might want to consider suggesting a comprehesnive vision examination which goes beyond just checking visual acuity (20/20).
Visual acuity (Near-sight, Far-sight, Focus problems)
- Comprehension is reduced as reading progress and lose interest too quickly.
- Mis-pronounces similar words.
- Blinks excessively at near tasks (reading/writing) and not elsewhere.
- Holds book very close or holds head very close to desk while writing.
- Avoids working up close.
- Complains of discomfort with tasks that demands visual interpretation.
- Closes or covers one eye when reading or doing close work.
- Makes many errors in copying from classroom board to paper on desk.
- Makes many errors in copying from reference book to notebook.
- Squints to see classroom board, or requests to move closer.
- Rubs eyes during or after short periods of visual activity.
- Tires easily, blinks to make classroom board clear up after desk work.
- Head turns across page while reading
- Lose place often during reading
- Needs finger or marker to keep place
- Have short attention span while reading or copying
- Frequently omits words
- Repeatedly o0mits "small" words
- Writes up or down hill on paper
- Re-reads or skips lines unknowingly
- Orients drawings poorly on the page
- Compains of seing double
- Repeats letters within words
- Omits letters, numbers or phrases
- Misaligns digits in mumber columns
- Squints, closes or covers one eye
- Tilts head extreamly while working atthe desk
- Consistently shows gross postural deviations at all desk work
- Must physically feel things to understand
- Eyes are not used to "steer" hand movements has lack of orientation, placement of words or drawings on page.
- Writes crookedly, poorly spaced, cannot stay on ruled lines
- Misaligns both horizontal and vertical series of numbers
- Use hand or fingers to keep place on the page.
- Uses other hand as "spacer"to control spacing and alignment on page
- Repeatedly confuses left-right directions
- Mistakes words with the same or similar beginnings
- Fails to recognize same word in next sentence
- Reverses letters and/or words in writing and copying
- Confuses likenesses and minor differences
- Confuses same word in same sentence
- Repetedly confuses similar beginnings and endings of words
- Fails to imagine what is read either silently or aloud
- Whispers to self for reinforcement while reading silently
- Returns to "drawing with fingers"to decide likes and differences
- One eye turns in or out (Strabismus)
- Reddened eyes or eyelids
- Eyes tear excessively
- Encrusted eyelids
- Frequent styes on eyelids
- Headaches in forehead or temples
- Eye burning or itching after reading or desk work
- Nausea or dizziness
- Text blurs after reading a short time
If your student has one or more of the above problems have a comprehensive visual examination done by a qualified professional. This vision test will take about an hour to complete. It is not simply testing distance vision.
To see vision checklist for parents click here
