Visual factors and dyslexia: A research review

Abstract

Eye care professionals have long been involved with vision and learning, and receive referrals from teachers, psychologists and other professionals who seek advice about whether vision problems may contribute to, or be responsible for, poor academic performance.  This is particularly the case when dealing with the relationship between vision and dyslexia, which has been a subject of controversy in optometric, ophthalmologic, educational and psychological literature. Ophthalmologists and optometrists in particular, hold different views on the association of dyslexia and vision, and there has been much debate regarding any causal relationship between them.  The results of studies that investigated the vision functions in dyslexic populations remain inconclusive.  This review is intended to provide an overview of studies to date and makes recommendation to guide future research.  (S AfrOptom 2010 69(2) 58-68)