How Eye Teaming Problems Affect Reading and Sports

Published on

September 25, 2024

Does your child complain about print moving on the page or “swimming” as they try to read? Do they avoid ball sports because of poor depth perception? These may be signs of an eye teaming problem, a condition where the eyes don’t work together properly.

What Are Eye Teaming Problems?

Eye teaming, also known as binocular vision, is the ability of both eyes to work together as a team. When eye teaming is poor, children may struggle to keep their place while reading, experience headaches, or avoid activities like sports that require depth perception. Some common symptoms of eye teaming problems include: - “Swimming” Print: The words or letters on the page may appear to move, making it difficult to focus. - Headaches and Browaches: Children may complain of headaches or pain above the eyes, especially after reading or doing schoolwork. - Fatigue While Reading: Eye teaming problems make reading more tiring, causing children to avoid it. - Poor Depth Perception: Children may avoid ball sports because their eyes can’t judge distances accurately.

Why Eye Teaming Matters for Learning and Sports

Eye teaming plays a critical role in both reading and physical activities. If the eyes don’t work together properly, children may struggle to follow along in class, finish homework, or participate in sports. For example, a child with poor eye teaming may lose their place while reading or find it hard to copy words from the board to their paper. In sports, they may miss catching or hitting a ball because their depth perception is off. These challenges can lead to frustration and avoidance, as children may become discouraged by their struggles. However, with the right vision therapy, these problems can be improved.

How Vision Therapy Can Help

Vision therapy is a personalized treatment program that helps improve the way the eyes work together. Through a series of exercises, children can strengthen their eye muscles, improve coordination, and reduce symptoms like “swimming” print or headaches. At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we offer specialized vision therapy programs to treat eye teaming problems. For example, we recently worked with an 11-year-old from Nicholasville who had been avoiding soccer and struggling with reading. After completing vision therapy, his depth perception improved, and he was able to enjoy sports and keep up with his schoolwork.

Help Your Child Succeed in School and Sports

If your child is struggling with reading, avoiding sports, or experiencing fatigue, a developmental vision exam may provide the answers. Addressing eye teaming problems early can make a big difference in their academic performance and physical activities.

Schedule a Vision Evaluation Today

At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD provides comprehensive developmental vision exams and therapy programs to help children improve their eye teaming skills and perform better in school and sports. With offices in Versailles and Somerset, we serve families across Central and Southern Kentucky. To schedule an appointment, call us at 859-879-0089 or visit https://nvpinstitute.com/.