The importance of eyesight in learning and behaviour is well recognized and children are tested regularly for visual acuity. But visual health goes beyond 20/20 vision. The ability of the eyes to work together to focus on a single point (binocularity) and to move smoothly over a line of print (visual tracking) are crucial to success in all academic areas and to social interaction.

Clues that may indicate a weakness in the visual system include:

• difficulty in sustaining eye contact
• poor eye – hand coordination
• pain, watering or discomfort when required to perform tasks
• inability to read without losing place
• rubbing of eyes after use
• frequent headaches after visual work
• frequent stomachaches after visual work
• difficulty copying from the board
• skipping words while reading
• reversal of letters and words while reading
• generalized light sensitivity
• poor three-dimensional perception
• insecurity going downstairs