Serving Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont & Areas Nearby in Colorado
Most of us understand the concept of vision clarity or visual acuity. Intuitively, one needs sharp vision to see small print. What can be confusing is the concept that a bright individual, blessed with clear vision better than 20/20, can have difficulty with reading.
Symptoms can include:
- Difficulty in keeping print clear after several minutes of reading
- Fatiguing quickly when reading (students may show signs of frustration)
- Print moving around and sometimes appearing to "float" or even go double
- Losing your place or skipping words
- Headaches associated with reading activities
- Poor reading comprehension – needing to read and re-read until it finally "sticks"'
- Loss of interest in reading – "Reading is boring!"
The physical act of reading includes a complex association of accommodation (focusing), convergence (turning the eyes inward to lock in on a near target such as print), and tracking (following a string of words within a sentence). These skills work separately and together. An initial examination will determine a patient's eye health and refractive error (i.e., glasses prescription).
It is often the case that reading difficulties are due entirely to changes in eye health or prescription. If the reading issues cannot be explained by these changes, we will make a special appointment to measure and address the individual reading skills. After assessing eye health and reading skills, we will make treatment recommendations. Students living with reading and near-point difficulties are at risk of not performing to potential and developing avoidance behaviors.
Vision Challenges in Children and Literacy
For school-aged children, vision plays a critical role in learning to read. Undiagnosed vision issues can lead to frustration, poor performance in school, and even behavioral problems. Signs that a child might be struggling with vision-related reading challenges include:
- Holding books very close to their face
- Rubbing their eyes frequently
- Complaining about headaches or tired eyes
- Avoiding reading or struggling to sound out words
Early diagnosis and treatment ensure children have the best chance at academic success. Regular eye exams can reveal problems before affecting literacy and confidence.
Solutions and When to Seek Help
If you or your child experiences any of the above symptoms, scheduling a comprehensive eye exam is the first step. Corrective lenses, vision therapy, or other treatments can often resolve issues and improve reading ability. Adults experiencing eye strain or focus problems may also benefit from updated prescriptions or specialized care.
Vision therapy may be an option for conditions like convergence insufficiency, helping train the eyes to work together more effectively.
Why Choose Kirk Eye Center
At Kirk Eye Center, you'll receive expert care from one of Northern Colorado's most trusted ophthalmologists, Dr. John D. Kirk, MD, FACS. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Kirk has been practicing in Loveland since 1991 and is recognized as one of the area's most experienced eye surgeons. With decades of experience, he has built a reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care tailored to each patient's unique needs.
Dr. Kirk is a leader in his field, consistently staying at the forefront of advancements in ophthalmology. As an early adopter of innovative treatments and technologies, he ensures that every patient can access the most effective solutions for their vision needs. The team at Kirk Eye Center treats patients like family, helping to achieve optimal vision and eye health. You can trust Dr. Kirk and his experienced team to provide you with the highest standard of care.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
Don't let vision problems hold you or your child back from enjoying the world of reading. Call us at (970) 669 - 1107 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam today to ensure clear vision and optimal reading performance. Your eye health is key to literacy and lifelong learning.