Binocular Vision Function and Reading Performance in Children

Binocular Vision Function and Reading Performance in Children

The Journal of Optometry published a retrospective chart review on binocular vision function and reading performance in 121 children who were identified with reading problems according to their IEP. The researchers focused on acuity and binocular vision such as accommodation (focus), vergence (turning the eye in and out) and oculomotor skills (tracking).

The results of the chart review on binocular vision function and reading performance in children indicated the following:

• No significant refractive error was found in 81% of children.
• Thirteen children were identified as strabismic.
• Results for ocular alignment showed 35% of the children had a near phoria that fell outside normative values.
• Fusional vergence results showed less than half (46%) of the children had findings that were within the expected norms.
• approximately 25% of children had stereoacuity below expected age.

The researchers concluded that some children with an identified reading problem also present with abnormal binocular test results compared to published normal values. Further investigation was recommended to examine the relationship between binocular vision function and reading performance.

References:

Lisa W. Christian, Krithika Nandakumar, Patricia K. Hrynchak, Elizabeth L. Irving. Visual and binocular status in elementary school children with a reading problem. Journal of Optometry, 2018

University of Waterloo. “Eye exams linked to kids’ reading levels.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 February 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180215105745.htm>.

Read more on this topic:

Vision Continues to Develop Beyond Childhood

Fine Motor Skills, Visual Function, and Reading in Children

Link Between Reading, Visual Perception, and Visual–Motor Integration

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