Even if the students pass the school screening with a report of 20/20 vision, a youngster might not be in the clear. Up to one in five school age kids suffers from visual-related learning problems, which have nothing to do with visual acuity, according to the American Optometric Association.

Eye chart tests cannot detect the troubles, but parents often can. One of the most obvious signs of poor eye coordination, for example, is serious difficulty reading or writing.

Even a child who reads and writes with ease, can show more subtle clues, which include using a finger to track lines on a page, frequently losing his place, closing one eye, or tilting his head while reading.

To evaluate eye coordination, parents should ask an optometrist (specializing in vision training) for a functional visual exam. In many cases problems are correctable through a series of eye exercises, often in the form of games. Sessions with a doctor usually take place once or twice a week, and are augmented with practice at home.

A year’s worth of vision therapy can sometimes cost more than $1,000, but the treatments usually run shorter and cost less.

PRE-SCHOOL YEARS

Eye problems during early childhood may be difficult for parents or teachers to detect, because children naturally assume their vision is normal. One in every 7 children between the ages of 3 and 6 has an eye problem, such as "lazy eye" (amblyopia), poorly aligned or "crossed eyes" (strabismus), or poor vision. Vision experts realize the importance of vision exam prior to the age of 4 to detect pre existing vision / coordination problems. This early detection can prevent the establishment of permanent vision loss or coordination difficulties in your children.

YOUNG ADULT YEARS

Your eye doctor may recommend periodic vision checks during the teenage and young adult years. A vision problem, such as nearsightedness (myopia), is common during the pre-teen and teenage years, and it may lead to difficulty with schoolwork because of the inability to see well in the distance. Our young students may have good vision (20/20) and still may have problems undetected by vision screeners. Coordination problems can lead to difficulties in maintaining concentration during the extended periods doing their homework.