All too often, the measurement of vision is based solely on clarity of vision or whether a child can correctly identify letters on the "20/20 line". However, this test ignores the assessment of other visual skills that are so important to children, particularly when trying to obtain meaning and understanding of what they are reading.

Thus, parents are left with the false sense of security that their child is not having visual difficulties while the true problem remains overlooked. Unfortunately, the child's difficulties might not only persist, but worsen as well.

Vision made up of a set of skills and abilities of which 20/20 eyesight is only one. Most visual skills must be "developed", and this is not truly done until well after birth.

Other visual skills, which are necessary but very rarely mentioned, include two-eyed coordination, focusing, eye movements and tracking. For example, a child may see clearly at chalkboard distance, but still have blurry vision while reading a book, suffer from eyestrain, have headaches, and feel fatigue throughout his school day. These problems often will reduce a child's comprehension, attention and ultimately school performance.

Identification of a visual problem is the first step in helping a child to overcome visual difficulties. A doctor knowledgeable in developmental vision can do testing for visual difficulties other than just whether or not your child can see 20/20. The tests performed in the exam are geared toward assessing those specific skills so important in school performance.

Treatment may be done through a serious of optometry procedures proven effective in enhancing school performance of children limited by visual problems.

This article is intended to be a reference to help parents, teachers, and tutors recognize and understand the many visual problems interfering with the school performance of children.