Complicated visual procedures are involved in both reading and writing and are the two most common tasks people will perform in school or at a desk job.
A problem with any or all of the visual processes involved can present difficulties in some way with reading and/or writing, and by extension, with learning or work.
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Because typical vision screenings can miss up to 50% of vision problems involved with reading and writing--it is critical that children (and adults!) receive comprehensive vision exams.
Check symptoms for yourself or your child using our Quality of Life Checklist!
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Reading Takes Many Learned Visual Skills
Every time we read from a book, a sheet of paper, a computer, or a mobile device, we are performing a visual task using 7 of the 17 vital visual skills:
- When we aim two eyes at the same point simultaneously and accurately, we use:
- Skill #1 Eye Movement Control
- Skill #8 Simultaneous Alignment at Near
- Skill #9 Sustaining Alignment at Near
- When we focus both eyes to make the reading material clear, we use:
- Skill #4 Simultaneous Focus at Near
- Skill #10 Central Vision (Visual Acuity)
- When we continue to sustain clear focus, we use:
- Skill #5 Sustaining Focus at Near
- When we move two eyes continually as a coordinated team across the line of print, we use:
- Skill #1 Eye Movement Control
- Skill #9 Sustaining Alignment at Near
- Skill #15 Fine Visual-Motor
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Reading Comprehension
In order to gain comprehension throughout the reading process, we are constantly
taking in the visual information and decoding it from the written word into a mental image. Memory and visualization are also used to constantly relate the
information to what is already known and to help make sense of what is being read.
How We Write
Writing is similar, but almost works in the reverse order to reading. We start with an image in our mind and code it into words. At the same time, we control the movement of the pencil while continually working to keep the written material making sense.
Throughout all this, we focus our eyes and move them together just as in the reading process.
How to Identify a Vision Problem
Sometimes a visual difficulty that affects reading and writing is easy to recognize, and other times it can be quite subtle to detect.
Locate a Doctor in your area who specializes in learning-related vision problems, including those that affect reading and writing.
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