Visual difficulties questionnaire
Why is it important that you read this?
Being told that you have a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) is a lifelong diagnosis and we need to make sure that the outcome of the assessment is accurate. We ask that everyone being assessed has had an eyesight test in the 2 years leading up to the assessment date.
Sometimes, visual difficulties aren't picked up in a standard eyesight test so the test might come back as 'normal' yet children/adults complain that the text is blurry, the words are moving, etc. In fact, 25% of the population is thought to experience some level of visual discomfort/ disturbances and, amongst other reasons, it can be due to the eye muscles being too strong or a little weak. This can cause problems with convergence and binocular vision. Therefore, we're directed by our professional bodies to ask that these symptoms are explored and treated first if necessary. Otherwise, for example, difficulties with reading accurately and fluently might mistakenly be associated with dyslexia yet there's actually a medical matter causing it.
It's also important to stress that many schools and colleges carry out overlay testing, give out overlays/coloured paper in the belief that there's a link between these and dyslexia. There's no link....and if a child or young person says that reading off a coloured background is helping to make the text clearer (even if dyslexia isn't suspected), then this needs exploring by a fully qualified vision expert, like an optometrist. Giving out an overlay or using coloured paper can mask a very significant medical/eye-muscle/eye-related issue that needs addressing, potentially urgently.
The symptoms in the table below are NOT connected to having dyslexia.
The questions
Please read through the questions below and, if booking for your child, ask them these questions. 'Often' refers to persistent, occurring several times a week.
IMPORTANT: If the following happens only sometimes, if feeling tired, if feeling ill, when having hayfever, if not wearing glasses/contact lenses, if because reading is extremely challenging, etc., then please answer with "no".
NO | YES | |
|---|---|---|
1. Do you often get headaches when you read or study? | ||
2. Do your eyes often feel sore or gritty or watery? | ||
3. Does reading from white paper or from a bright screen often feel uncomfortable? | ||
4. Does print often appear blurred or go in and out of focus when you read? | ||
5. Does the print or the book or the screen often appear double when you are reading? | ||
6. Do words often seem to move or merge when you are reading? | ||
7. Do objects in the distance often appear more blurred after you have been reading? | ||
8. Do you often have to screw up your eyes to see more clearly when you are reading? | ||
9. Do you often move your eyes around or blink to make things clearer or more comfortable when you are reading? | ||
10. Do you experience any problems with your vision that interfere with your ability to read or study? |
All questions answered 'no'?
Great! You can go ahead and book the assessment with Sarah. The above questions will also be in the questionnaire that you'll be asked to complete to make sure that we're still okay to go ahead. Please still book an eyesight test if it hasn't been done in the past 2 years.
One or more questions answered 'yes'?
Even if a recent eyesight test comes back as 'normal', it's very highly recommended that you first seek an assessment with an optician/optometrist before the assessment with me. Alternatively, you can go ahead and book with me but choose a date far enough ahead that allows time for these symptoms to be explored. You will be able to reschedule the appointment with me if the optometrist/optician advises pushing it back. Please show the optometrist the above questions and point out which ones flag up concerns.
Your local high street opticians may be able to explore convergence and binocular difficulties but optometrists that clients have recommended due to their comprehensive testing are Surrey Opticians, Owen Leigh Optometry (Petersfield), Alexander Opticians (East Grinstead) and Lawrence i-care Optometrists (East Grinstead).
PLEASE CONTACT SARAH TO DISCUSS IF YOU'RE IN DOUBT.