To clarify organized optometry's position on the use of vision therapy for the treatment of reading problems, the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association (AOA) released the following joint organizational policy statement in 1997:

Introduction

A joint organizational policy statement of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association.

Many children and adults continue to struggle with learning in the classroom and the workplace.  Advances in information technology, its expanding necessity, and its accessibility are placing greater demands on people for efficient learning and information processing.^1,2

Learning is accomplished through complex and interrelated processes, one of which is vision.  Determining the relationships between vision and learning involves more than evaluating eye health and visual acuity (clarity of sight).  Problems in identifying and treating people with learning-related vision problems arise when such a limited definition of vision is employed.³

This policy statement addresses these issues, which are important to individuals who have learning-related vision problems (such as dyslexia), their families, their teachers, the educational system and society.

Policy Statement

People at risk for learning-related vision problems should receive a comprehensive optometric evaluation.  This evaluation should be conducted as part of a multidisciplinary approach in which all appropriate areas of function are evaluated and managed.⁴

The role of the Optometrist when evaluating people for learning-related vision problems (e.g., dyslexia) is to conduct a thorough assessment of eye health and visual functions and communicate the results and recommendations.⁵  The management plan may include treatment, guidance and appropriate referral.

The expected outcome of optometric intervention is an improvement in visual function with the alleviation of associated signs and symptoms.  Optometric intervention for people with learning-related vision problems consists of lenses, prisms, and vision therapy.  Vision therapy does not directly treat learning disabilities or dyslexia.^6,7  Vision therapy is a treatment to improve visual efficiency and visual processing, thereby allowing the person to be more responsive to educational instruction.^4,8  It does not preclude any other form of treatment and should be a part of a multidisciplinary approach to learning disabilities.^6,7

Pertinent Issues

Vision is a fundamental factor in the learning process. The three interrelated areas of visual function are:

1.      Visual pathway integrity including eye health, visual acuity and refractive status;

2.      Visual efficiency including Accommodation (focusing), binocular vision (eye teaming) and eye movements;

3.      Visual information processing including identification and discrimination, spatial awareness, and integration with other senses.

To identify learning-related vision problems, each of these interrelated areas must be fully evaluated.

Educational, neuropsychological and medical research has suggested distinct subtypes of learning difficulties.^9,10  Current research indicates that some people with reading difficulties (such as difficulties related to possible dyslexia) have co-existing visual and language processing deficits.¹¹  For this reason, no single treatment, profession or discipline can be expected to adequately address all of their needs.

Unresolved visual deficits can impair the ability to respond fully to educational instruction.^12,13  Management may require optical correction, vision therapy or a combination of both.  Vision therapy, the art and science of developing and enhancing visual abilities and remediating vision dysfunctions, has a firm foundation in vision science, and both its application and efficacy have been established in the scientific literature.^14-17  Some sources have erroneously associated optometric vision therapy with controversial and unfounded therapies, and equate eye defects with visual dysfunctions.^18-21

The eyes, visual pathways and brain comprise the visual system.  Therefore, to understand the complexities of visual function, one must look at the total visual system.  Recent research has demonstrated that some people with reading disabilities have deficits in the transmission of information to the brain through a defective visual pathway.^22,25  This creates confusion and disrupts the normal visual timing functions in reading.

Visual defects, such as a restriction in the visual field, can have a substantial impact on reading performance.²⁶  Eye strain and double vision resulting from convergence insufficiency can be a significant handicap to learning.²⁷  There are more subtle visual defects that influence learning affecting different people to different degrees.  Vision is a multifaceted process and its relationships to reading and learning are complex.^28,29  Each area of visual function must be considered in the evaluation of people who are experiencing reading or other learning problems.  Likewise, treatment programs for learning-related vision problems must be designed individually to meet each person's unique needs.

Summary

1.      Vision problems can and often do interfere with learning.

2.      People at risk for learning-related vision problems should be evaluated by an optometrist who provides diagnostic and management services in this area.

3.      The goal of optometric intervention is to improve visual function and alleviate associated signs and symptoms.

4.      Prompt remediation of learning-related vision problems enhances the ability of children and adults to perform to their full potential.

5.      People with learning problems (i.e., dyslexia) require help from many disciplines to meet the learning challenges they face. Optometric involvement constitutes one aspect of the multidisciplinary management approach required to prepare the individual for lifelong learning.

This Policy Statement was formulated by a Task Force representing the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the American Optometric Association, and the American Academy of Optometry. The following individuals are acknowledged for their contributions:

Approved By:

College of Optometrists in Vision Development
October 1996

American Academy of Optometry
January 1997

American Foundation for Vision Awareness
February 1997

American Optometric Association
March 1997

Optometric Extension Program Foundation
April 1997

References