Monday, November 8, 2010

What does a math worksheet tell you about vision?

Many elementary school math worksheets are arranged in rows and columns. The expected approach is for the student to start at the top row with the first problem on the left and work across the row solving each problem in turn until there are no more remaining. Then the student should move onto the first problem at the left side of the second row, continuing in this manner until the last problem, located at the right margin of the bottom row, has been solved. Then, the paper is ready to be checked, corrected as needed, and handed in to the teacher. If, however, the teacher receives a paper that has a haphazard amount of problems solved and the student asserts that they, indeed, have been careful to do each problem, you can predict that the student may need to have an extensive eye examination by an eye doctor who is skilled in evaluating binocular vision development in children. A haphazard approach to this kind of worksheet is consistent with a saccadic deficit, a condition that relates to the child's ability to control their eye muscles and a problem that can be addressed in vision therapy and, as an extension of the same, with the Purple Book of the Eye Can Too! Read series of e-books that I wrote. Intervention should start with a thorough eye exam by an eye doctor.

25 comments:

Pete said...

I think my son has this problem. his teacher has been telling me about it that is why I opted to research about it here on the internet and I cam across your blog. This is quite a hefty explanation of it. Now, at least I'm convinced that my son really has eye issues. I will be bringing him to the optometrist as soon as possible. Thanks to your post.

Lottie Barker said...

EYE!

Elizabeth said...

Luckily this eye problem can be fixed with vision therapy. Hopefully most parents catch it quickly, as the sooner in life a child gets it fixed the easier the road will be ahead.

Unknown said...

This is very interesting. I have been noticing this in my son. I informed my eye doctor in Fort McMurray. I'm hoping we caught it soon enough. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Wow, that was really informative. I had no idea so much could be taken from a math worksheet for a vision therapy.

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Unknown said...

After reading books or watching TV, I always go wash My face which is not advisable and when I have already experienced irritation after several times of washing and My vision was already affected. I felt so lonely and I realized to take care of my eyes and not to mistreat it anymore.I go to Manhattan eye doctors and gave me prescription and eye glasses as well. Eyes provide us vision so we should take good care of our precious eyes cause we can never have another eyes ever.

Unknown said...

I had no idea that my son's academic ability (or lack thereof recently) could be connected to his eyesight! Thank you so much for this post. Without it, I could have never made that connection. I will be taking my son to see an eye doctor right away.

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Anonymous said...

This is a really interesting post. My niece, Cambri, has really had problems with her math tests. I'm wondering if it's because of the rows and such. I know she's had vision problems in the past, but I'm not sure if she's had the proper vision care to overcome them. This definitely may be something to check into so that she doesn't have these problems in the future. http://www.absolutevisioncare.com/offerings/services/vision-therapy.html

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this information with me. I think it would be really nice to learn at a young age if you need glasses or not. I think it isn't as cut and dry as most people think. I think that is why you need to take your kids to the eye doctor every so often just to check them out. http://www.opticatropical.com

Unknown said...

I never thought math could me an indicator of bad eyesight! How interesting! I will pay more attention to my boys' homework now. http://www.rosevillecaoptometry.com/about_us/

Unknown said...

Erm...... How to avoid it then? an ordinary Primary Eye Exam could help?

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

Curious to know, why can't we wash our face after reading books, and watching TV??? does anyone know?? how possible it will affected our eye vision?

Unknown said...

Is there any scientific proved that we can't wash our face after reading books and watching TV? me too curious to know, will that affect our eye vision?

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Unknown said...

Huh?? This is my first time being heard, after reading and watching, we can't wash our eye directly, agreed with Sebastian, any scientific proof?? Think we should advice our eye specialist on this issue... interested!

Unknown said...

My little brother has been having trouble seeing this last year. At first, we didn't think it was that big of a deal. Lately, his vision has gotten even worse. We need to take him in to see an eye doctor. There, he will be able to get either medicine or glasses, depending on what the doctor recommends for his troubles.
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Unknown said...

I have never heard of the term "binocular" vision before. It is interesting to note that the way in which a child completes a math test can let on as to whether he or she stands in need of an eye exam though. I would like to see how my own son fairs when he starts school next semester.
Cynthia | | http://sherwoodparkeyecare.ca/our-team/

Unknown said...

I had no idea that such a problem was a vision thing. I would assume it was a concentration thing. My brother has a problem called Dysgraphia and he showed evidence of these things you mentioned. After the doctors diagnosed the problem, his work got better and faster. I would never automatically associate lack of academic performance and vision had a correlation?
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Unknown said...

I think that this is a really interesting study. A lot of parents don't realize that the reason that their child is struggling in school is simply because of their vision. They don't know what it feels like to have perfect 20/20 vision, so they can't tell you that anything is wrong. This is why eye exams at a young age are such a good idea. http://www.myvisioncare.com

Unknown said...

Most of the times, children are shy to express the difficulty in their vision, always have them for an eye check up when you notice their struggle for reading.

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