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Children with visual challenges are twice as likely to develop ADHD, a recent study shows.
Approximately one in 5 children have an undiagnosed vision problem that will make it hard for them to read. For example, Samantha may be able to succeed in reading like her peers do, but she needs to work ten times harder just to focus her eyes. Imagine how exhausted she feels exerting so much energy just to see what other kids can see automatically. Now Samantha no longer has the necessary energy and wherewithal to comprehend what she just read and she can become very frustrated and disruptive.
Is it at all a surprise then that children like Samantha don't follow along in class? Or that they fidget in their chair or stare off instead of reading? It is no wonder that children who exhibit similar signs and symptoms as a child with ADHD can be misdiagnosed as such, when in fact they are suffering from a visual challenge that can be treated without medication.
There are many similar manifestations of vision issues and attention deficit disorders as a child who is struggling with visual skills can have a hard time maintaining focus and completing school tasks. This similarity can result in a misdiagnosis of ADHD and unnecessary medications could be prescribed. Alternatively, visual challenges can be masked by an ADHD diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for parents of a child diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder to be falsely reassured that the issue is not related to the child’s visual abilities because their child scored 20/20 when reading from the eye chart during the vision screening test. However, there are many more visual skills beyond 20/20 clarity of vision which are necessary to meet classroom demands.
If any visual skills are not operating up to par, it could cause the child to be frustrated, inattentive, fidgety, distracted, uncooperative and it often leads to low self esteem. These behavior patterns very much mimic a child who is struggling with an attention deficit disorder. Please note the similarities between the signs and symptoms of visual challenges and those of ADHD:
| Visual Challenges | Symptoms of ADHD |
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Imagine if when you read, you need to close one eye the whole time that you’re trying to get through a paragraph. You may have been able to read from the eye chart perfectly and yet you are struggling when reading from a book and trying to keep up with your classmates. It would be no wonder if by the time you reached the end of reading a page you were tired and frustrated. It is important that a child who is considered to have an attention deficit must also be evaluated for visual challenges.
When a child is diagnosed with, or suspected of having, an attention deficit, it is highly advisable to schedule an appointment with our developmental optometrist who will assess the child’s visual functions. This includes how the eyes work together as a team, eye tracking, visual perception, and eye focusing, just to name a few of the essential visual skills.
A child with an attention deficit is 3 times more likely to also struggle with a convergence insufficiency. Convergence insufficiency is a visual challenge that occurs when the eyes are not working properly together to be able to focus at near, such as when trying to read. The good news is that this very challenging visual obstacle can effectively be treated with vision therapy.
Vision therapy involves a series of sessions in-office, which often include at home exercise as well. The child works with a professional vision therapist doing various activities and exercises which train the eyes to work together properly as a team and strengthens the communication that the eyes have with the brain. This yields very effective results as a child’s visual skills can constantly be developed and strengthened and this can truly have a positive effect on behavior patterns. When a child no longer has the visual obstacles preventing him or her from being able to keep up with the demands at school, he or she can finally thrive with their peers. Patients with functional vision issues visit our clinic from all over New York, and we are proud to be a leading provider of functional vision services for patients from New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
At Amplify with Dr Wernick I was seeking help for seemingly intractable, probably age-related dryness. I've seen other doctors about it, and that has been helpful, but what he explained to me about it and the careful way he answered all my questions gave me so much more of a clear understanding of what is going on (and is not) that I am more able to implement all his and others' recommendations than I was before. And he gave me additional resources for further follow-up. I am most grateful.
Wow! This is a great Eye Care medical facility. I was thoroughly examined by Dr. Pinkhasov for over 2 hours. She made sure to check my eyes for pretty much everything and patiently explained proper care for my eyes. They definitely know how to provide great care and treat their patients right. Now I know why they have such a great reputation and been around for so long.
Dr. Kavner is a gifted diagnostician and orthoptic therapist. He treated me several decades ago for a condition similar to dyslexia. I was having migraines five times per week. I worked with him for about a year and I experienced tremendous improvement (down to 3-4 per year) that has lasted.
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
I have always found Dr Kavner's work, expertise and wisdom of the highest caliber. As one of the fathers of OT, occupational othomology, his depth and breadth of knowledge about the eyes' health and wellbeing of the patient is exemplary. Cannot say enough good things about him.
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