Symptom Checklist

Most children have no idea how they are supposed to see and rarely complain. The way they tell you they have a problem is with their behavior. Therefore, it is vital that you know the signs that a vision problem is interfering with your child’s ability to read, learn, play or perform other activities in daily life.


​​​​​​​There are more than 15 visual skills required for reading and learning, including the ability to point the eyes together, to focus the eyes, to move across the page properly. These skills are often not tested in most vision screenings. Passing a vision screening which tests only distance vision leads parents to believe incorrectly that nothing is wrong. Distance vision (seeing 20/20) is just one of these visual skills.

If any of these visual skills are not working properly, it can make reading and learning an unnecessary challenge. Some children develop behavior problems, while others avoid reading or simply refuse to read. Usually the child is bright, causing parents to be confused by the child's difficulties. Parents and teachers often mistakenly think the child is hyperactive, lazy, slow, learning challenged, etc., because the symptoms are very similar with those of certain types of vision problems. In addition, many of these signs can easily be mistaken as learning disabilities or attention problems such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).

If your child has any of the signs on the checklist below, call our office to schedule an appointment today.


Look over this symptom checklist
​​​​​​​to see how many signs your child has:

Vision Problem Symptom Checklist


Double vision


Blur when looking up close


Headaches working up close


Falls asleep when reading


Poor reading comprehension


Skips/repeats words/lines when reading


Loses place reading or copying


Uses finger as a pointer​​​​​​​


Tilts head/closes one eye when reading


Avoids near work/reading


Print appears to move when reading


Labeled "lazy", "slow learner", "AD(H)D" or "behavior problem"


Misaligns digits or columns of numbers


Excessive blinking/rubbing eyes


Poor/inconsistent in sports​​​​​​​


Holds reading material too close


Trouble keeping attention on reading


Difficulty completing assignments on time


Avoids sports or games


Difficulty copying from chalkboard​​​​​​​


Poor handwriting​​​​​​​


Clumsy/knocks things over​​​​​​​


Car/motion sickness​​​​​​​


Sees worse at the end of the day​​​​​​​


Homework takes forever​​​​​​​

Your Results

Appointment Recommended

If you find that you or your child have a score over 16, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment for a full Developmental Vision Evaluation.


Contact Us

While your child does not appear to have many of the above signs, if your child has attention problems, struggles with reading, has an eye turn (Strabismus) or a lazy eye (Amblyopia) we recommend you schedule a Developmental Vision Evaluation.

If your child is doing fine, it is recommended that school-age children have a routine eye exam by an optometrist once a year.


Contact Us