It Could Be Your Eyes

As a Teacher, How Do I Know if Vision is Impeding My Student's Learning?

Dr. Juanita Collier, MS, OD, FCOVD Season 2 Episode 4

"Vision issues aren’t just about 20/20 eyesight. It’s about how students see and process their world, and teachers can be the first to notice when something’s off."

In this episode, we dive into the critical role teachers can play in identifying vision issues in their students. We discuss some of the common signs that might be overlooked in the classroom, from children rubbing their eyes to using their whole head to read instead of just their eyes. We also explain how these visual challenges can affect a student’s academic performance and overall behavior.

Teachers are often the first line of defense when it comes to spotting these issues, and we explore 3 practical ways they can support students with potential vision problems:

  1. Observe classroom behavior for signs like head movement or eye rubbing
  2. Ask students questions about what they’re seeing or experiencing to better understand their struggles.
  3. Advocate for comprehensive vision exams beyond the typical 20/20 vision checks to assess functional vision and eye coordination.

Plus, we share a special resource we’ve created for teachers—a checklist that can help you spot signs of vision issues in your classroom. Tune in to learn more about how you can make a difference for your students and help them reach their full potential.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

(00:00) Intro
(00:48) Back to School: Educating Teachers in Vision Issues
(03:06) The Tracking Issue
(07:05) Focus and Flexibility Problems
(10:25) Accommodative Spasms and Screen Time
(11:31) Binocular Vision Difficulties
(16:38) 4D Built to Read Digital Program
(17:27) Recommendations for Teachers When Eyes Seem to Be the Issue
(22:22) Communicating with Parents
(25:25) Support for Teachers and Schools. How We Can Help


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