Have your child's vision tested! - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Palms · 09-12-2003, 08:22 AM

I would like to bring some attention to a fact I was not aware of: The importance of having your child's vision tested, beginning age 3. I always believed that the usual annual vision testing at school was enough to determine that my son's eyes were o.k. Not so! I've just found out that my son is very nearsighted. I would have never ever guessed that, because I frequently pointed out things, close and far, and never had an indication that my son cannot see well. The eye doctor told me that very often the inability to see clearly and the resulting mistakes made are mistaken for ADHD symptoms. From age 5 on I was always told that my son does not enjoy storytime at school and that he does not pay attention. I always found that hard to believe because my son loved when I read to him at home. I am starting to think that he did not enjoy it, because he simply could not see the book with the words and pictures. And since he is very tall for his age, he was always placed in the back row. Then came the reports about the many mistakes of writing words from the board in his books etc. At the end of the school year, the teacher told me to have his eyes checked. And there was the big surprise. Eye doctor told me that my son is having these vision problems at least since the past three years, if not longer. I can only urge you to have your child's eyes tested professionally - not only in school. My son is eager now to put on his glasses first thing in the morning to see the world in a clearer way.

earthg · 09-13-2003, 11:53 PM

That is some great advise! My son complains of headaches on occasion but I generally chalk them up to his taking Concerta, but now that I think he gets them in school and is tall and in the back rows too.
Thanks again!

I'm making a Dr's appt for him next week.

Palms · 09-14-2003, 11:25 AM

I'm curious what the outcome will be. Let me know.

Palms · 09-20-2003, 07:48 PM

This article was printed in my newspaper today and I just wanted to add some numbers to my first post:

You may be surprised to learn that just because a child tests 20/20 at a vision screening doesn't mean he or she has healthy vision. An eye chart only measures visual acuity, but not other aspects of sight that are crucial to learning and play. Although children may see normaly at a distance, it's important to measure how eyes interact at close distances, such as used for reading. The most common vision screenings at school only identify 5 % of vision problems!

Of the 20 % of school-aged children who have reading problems, many are misdiagnosed as dyslexic or ADD, when vision problems are actually the cause.

Children should have a comprehensive eye exam at age six months, three years and before starting school. Thereafter a child should get eye exams every two years.

[This message has been edited by Palms (edited 09-21-2003).]

Blaana · 09-21-2003, 07:06 AM

I agree. Both of my ADD children have vision problems that were not detected at the school vision screening. They also both have eye teaming problems. One had vision therapy for it and the other son has glasses that correct his since it's not as severe. The eye teaming problems cause problems for the children when they are under stress or have to read or do other close up work for an extended length of time. It can cause headaches and the inability to retain or comprehend information.