In the last two weeks there have been NO blogs. Unfortunately, my computer received a lethal virus, and I have been computer-less for almost two weeks. For the time being I will leave you with these facts from the COVD website:  

How Vision Problems Can Interfere with Learning

  • “25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning.”  – American Public Health Association
  • “When vision problems go undetected, children almost invariably have trouble reading and doing their schoolwork. They often display fatigue, fidgeting, and frustrations in the classroom—traits that can lead to a misdiagnosis of dyslexia or other learning disabilities.”  – American Optometric Association
  • “It is estimated that 80% of children with a learning disability have an undiagnosed vision problem.”  – Vision Council of America
  • “Early diagnosis and treatment of children’s vision problems is a necessary component to school readiness and academic learning; and that vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.  Comprehensive eye and vision examinations … are important for all children first entering school and regularly throughout their school-aged years to ensure healthy eyes and adequate visual skills essential for successful academic achievement.”  – National PTA Policy Statement 2005, Elements of Comprehensive Health Programs
  • “Early testing for vision problems is key to preventing learning disabilities or, in some cases, significant visual impairment in children.”  –  Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, Task Force Chairman, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
  • “A three year study of 540 children found that those children who had visual perceptual and eye movement difficulties did poorly on standardized tests.”  – Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, FAAO, FCOVD, Developmental Optometrist and Past President of COVD.

These are great facts to send to friends or family! Pass them along!