VisionPlus India

ROLE OF ORTHOPTIC INTERVENTION Orthoptic therapy, when integrated with educational support, can address the visual challenges faced by dyslexic children. Key interventions include: • Eye Exercises: Techniques to strengthen convergence and accommodation, such as pencil push- ups or fusion exercises, can improve binocular coordination. • Saccadic Training: Programs like computerised vision therapy enhance saccadic control and accuracy. • Prism Lenses: Prescribing inefficient eye movements, causing difficulty in maintaining focus while reading. • Reduced Convergence Ability: Convergence insufficiency is more prevalent in dyslexic children, leading to eye strain during prolonged reading tasks. • Deficient Visual Memory: Dyslexic learners may struggle to retain visual information, affecting their ability to recognise words and patterns. However, it is important to note that visual deficits are not the sole cause of dyslexia but rather coexisting factors that can aggravate reading challenges. Non-Dyslexic Children In non-dyslexic children, orthoptic evaluations often reveal well-coordinated eye movements, strong convergence, and minimal visual processing issues. These children typically excel in tasks requiring visual focus and tracking, enabling smoother reading and learning experiences. prism lenses can reduce symptoms of convergence insufficiency and enhance reading comfort. • Ergonomic Adjustments: Encouraging proper lighting, text spacing, and posture can further support visual ease during reading. For non-dyslexic children, orthoptic therapy is generally unnecessary but may be used to address isolated visual issues unrelated to learning difficulties. IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS Parents and educators play a crucial role in identifying and supporting children with potential visual challenges. Recognising symptoms such as frequent eye rubbing, complaints of double vision, or poor reading fluency can prompt timely orthoptic evaluations. Educators, in particular, should be trained to implement classroom accommodations such as enlarged text, audio resources, and frequent breaks to reduce visual strain. Orthoptic evaluations serve as a valuable tool for differentiating between the visual profiles of dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. While visual deficits do not cause dyslexia, addressing coexisting issues can significantly enhance a child’s reading and learning experience. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT VISUAL DEFICITS ARE NOT THE SOLE CAUSE OF DYSLEXIA BUT RATHER COEXISTING FACTORS THAT CAN AGGRAVATE READING CHALLENGES 46 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION