How to Tell if Your Child's Vision is Affecting Their Learning at School
- Northern Sight Optometry
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
As a new school year begins, many parents are focused on preparing their children with fresh school supplies, packed lunches, and a solid sleep routine. But there’s one crucial thing that often gets overlooked: your child’s vision.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “80% of classroom learning is visual”, and it’s true. From reading the board to writing sentences, navigating screens, and copying notes, kids rely heavily on their eyes to absorb and process information every day.
But here’s something many parents don’t realize: having 20/20 eyesight is not the same as having healthy, functional vision.
Vision Is More Than Just the Eyes
While a basic vision screening at school or the pediatrician’s office may test how clearly your child sees letters at a distance, it doesn’t tell the full story. That’s because vision is a complex process that involves not just the eyes, but also the brain.
In fact, many school-aged children struggle in the classroom not because they can’t see, but because their visual system isn’t working efficiently. This includes how their eyes work together, how they track words across a page, and how their brain processes and interprets what they’re seeing.
Here are five key visual skills your child needs for daily success at school:
Eye Tracking – Following a line of text smoothly without losing their place.
Eye Teaming (Binocular Coordination) – Using both eyes together comfortably and accurately.
Focus Flexibility (Accommodation) – Switching focus from near (desk work) to far (whiteboard) and back again.
Visual Memory – Remembering what they’ve just read or seen to answer questions or complete tasks.
Visual-Motor Integration – Coordinating visual input with body movement, important for handwriting and crafts.
A weakness in any of these areas can lead to frustration and poor academic performance—even if your child has 20/20 vision.
Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling with Vision
Children don’t always know how to express that something is wrong with their vision. They often assume that what they see is normal. That’s why it’s important for parents and teachers to watch for non-verbal clues.
Here are some common red flags that a child might be struggling with their vision or visual processing:
Complains of headaches or eye strain, or becomes irritable after reading
Skips lines or loses their place while reading
Rubs eyes frequently or blinks excessively
Has poor attention or avoids reading and homework
Shows difficulty copying from the board
Reverses letters or struggles with spelling
Reads below grade level despite good effort
Seems clumsy or struggles with hand-eye coordination
Becomes easily frustrated or zones out during learning tasks
What To Do If You Suspect a Problem
If your child is showing signs of visual difficulties—especially when learning—it’s important to take action early. Here’s what you can do:
Talk to their teacher. Ask if they’ve noticed any academic struggles, visual behaviors, or attention concerns in the classroom.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Look for an optometrist who specializes in pediatric vision care and offers binocular vision testing; a deeper evaluation of how your child’s eyes work together and process information.
Don’t wait for a diagnosis to get support. Addressing visual processing issues early can prevent years of academic frustration and unlock your child’s full potential.
At Northern Sight Optometry, we’re passionate about helping children succeed in and out of the classroom. Our pediatric eye exams go beyond the basics, testing not just how clearly your child sees, but how efficiently their entire visual system works.
We’re here to support your family with:
Binocular and functional vision testing
Visual processing learning-related assessments
Personalized treatment plans, including glasses or vision therapy when needed
Book your child’s back-to-school eye exam today and give them the clarity, comfort, and confidence they need to thrive this year!