When we think about health, we often focus on things like diet and heart health, but one crucial area is often overlooked—our vision. Good vision goes way beyond seeing 20/20; it involves over a dozen visual skills that help us read, learn, focus, play sports, and live life fully. Poor vision can affect daily life and productivity, whether you're a child in school or an adult at work. Left untreated, issues like eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision can lead to more serious problems, such as migraines or even anxiety and depression. You most likely know someone suffering from this, since as many as 1 in 5 children have a vision problem severe enough to impact their learning.
At Brighter Outlook Vision in North Charleston, we provide comprehensive testing to ensure your vision supports your best possible life.
Vision and Physical Wellness
Eyesight impacts physical wellness more than we often realize.
Visual coordination, depth perception, and hand-eye coordination are essential for tasks like driving, exercising, and participating in sports. People with untreated vision problems may find it difficult to engage in physical activities, which can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle—one of the key risk factors for obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
“Prior to vision therapy, it did not seem like Lawson could see a ball coming at her. Now she not only sees the ball, but she can also catch or hit the ball.”
For athletes or fitness enthusiasts, good vision can make a significant difference in performance. Properly functioning eyes improve reaction times, depth perception, and the ability to focus on fast-moving objects. Without these essential skills, even the most athletic individuals may not reach their full potential, and injuries from poor visual awareness or spatial misjudgments can become more frequent. If you notice that your child is clumsy, seems to struggle with catching a ball, or struggles with other physical activities, it could be an undiagnosed vision problem.
Vision and Mental Health
Vision problems can take a toll on mental health, too. Struggling to read, work on a computer, or recognize faces can lead to frustration, social withdrawal, and diminished self-esteem. In children, untreated vision issues can cause learning difficulties, leading to academic struggles and behavioral problems.
“After Dawson’s program with Dr. Jesse, his teacher noticed better participation, faster reading and stronger confidence in the classroom. As a parent, I am thrilled he enjoys reading and he can even hit the baseball better. I’m thankful that our son can “see” better and shines with confidence now.”
Adults experiencing vision impairment are at higher risk of anxiety and depression. As vision deteriorates, everyday tasks become more difficult, leading to feelings of isolation and helplessness. By maintaining good eye health, you can preserve not only your physical abilities but also your mental and emotional well-being.
Vision and Learning
Children usually don't know they have a vision problem - they assume that is how everyone sees. If they do report it, most of the time they aren't able to use appropriate terms and so they are not believed. For them, reading is "hard," since they don't have the vocabulary to say what is happening when they try to read a book and the words move on the page or they can't easily find their space again. They are often told to just try harder or pay attention, but their visual system is overloaded and they are trying as hard as they physically can.
“John was having difficulty with reading. He was unable to read left to right without dropping lines, losing his place, and dropping the end of words. Now he reads every night independently two chapters from a chapter book. He used to struggle to finish a page.”
The following are just a few of the vision problems that can cause difficulty reading, learning, and paying attention:
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Binocular vision dysfunction: our two eyes need to work together
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Accommodative disorder: both eyes need to focus in and out, similar to a camera
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Tracking problems or oculomotor dysfunction: our eyes need to move efficiently from place to place
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Visual information processing disorder: our brain then needs to process all of the information our eyes take in, it it scrambles the info, it can sometimes look like dyslexia
Every person who is having trouble deserves comprehensive, multi-faceted consideration.
If a child struggles with reading and learning difficulties or is they are suspected of suffering from dyslexia or ADHD, they should begin with visual testing, because much of the testing that will follow uses the visual system. If you are already having trouble seeing, you will by default have trouble seeing the psycho-educational tests, where they are looking at school achievement or IQ. A child’s speech and hearing should also be tested. Dietary issues could also be a factor.
“Our son had to read and re-read passages of text at school. Now he is a voracious reader! We noticed other changes as well – improved focus (and off ADHD meds!), increased engagement at school, and he seems so much more confident! His PE teacher noted an improvement of motor skills (like basketball and running). We are forever grateful!”
Don’t Overlook Vision in Your Health Routine
When striving for a holistic approach to health and wellness, don’t neglect your vision. Clear, sharp eyesight supports your physical, mental, and emotional health, allowing you to engage more fully in life. Whether you’re trying to resolve a chronic health issue or simply live better day-to-day, including eye care in your wellness routine is crucial.
Here’s what you can do to maintain good vision health:
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Regular Eye Exams: Schedule comprehensive eye exams annually to catch any changes or early signs of health conditions. Schedule an evaluation with a developmental optometrist, sometimes called a neuro-optometrist, at Brighter Outlook Vision if you are having any difficulty and want your full vision checked.
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Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with omega-3 fatty acids, which support eye health.
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Limit Screen Time: Excessive screen time can lead to digital eyestrain, so follow the 20-20-20 rule—take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away. Children should have very limited screen time, and play outside frequently.
Good vision is essential for maintaining overall health and wellness. Whether you’re an athlete, a student, or someone managing chronic symptoms, taking care of your eyes can improve your quality of life in countless ways. Don’t underestimate the importance of vision in your health routine—it could be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier, more vibrant you.
Take the Quality of Life test to see if vision could be impacting your or your loved one. Connect with Brighter Outlook Vision to see if we can help you.
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