Vision & Learning

Eyesight (Acuity) vs. Vision

Eyesight is a sense just like hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Unlike our other senses, eyesight requires specific motor skills to be effective. Vision is the use of imagery; it is the tool by which all conscious cognitive function occurs – all thought, all processing of the input from any of our senses, all verbal planning, and all motor planning. If the brain did it consciously, vision was involved!

Eyesight is the Dominant Sense in Learning

More than 80% of the new information we acquire comes through our eyes. Education is structured so that “visual learning” (intended to mean information gathering through our eyes) is the primary focus. This requires extended attention to close work like reading, writing, tablets, smartphones, and computers.

Every day, children having difficulty in school are being misdiagnosed and improperly labeled as learning disabled, dyslexic, ADD/ADHD, or ASD. Worse, they are accused of "not trying hard enough", "not paying attention", or often enough they are simply labeled as "lazy".

When visual skills deficits are present, children typically do not respond well to interventions such as reading or educational tutoring, occupational therapy, and/or treatment for ADD or ADHD, because the underlying problem is not being addressed. This increases the family's frustration with the situation as educators and health care providers continue to offer programs that result in little or no progress.

Well-developed visual skills involving efficient and accurate eye movements, rapid and effortless eye focusing, and optimal binocular teaming between the two eyes are all critical for efficient learning and ultimately, academic success.