Shop for Visual Impairment Instructional Resources and Gifts

ECC Instructional Resources

Braille Necklaces

VI Themed Shirts

Braille Greeting Cards

Drinkware

Keychains

Bags & Totes

Recorded Presentations

Job Posting Service

Vision Concerns

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated October 4, 2017

The process of referring a student with a suspected visual impairment for school based vision services begins when there are concerns about a child's vision or the lack thereof. If you have a concern about a child's vision, the first step is to take the student to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
For younger children in particular, it is important to find a doctor who specializes in working with children. If the child has additional disabilities, it is particularly important to locate a doctor who specializes or is experienced in working with students with multiple disabilities. The ophthalmologist or optometrist will need to determine the cause, receive a visual diagnosis, approximated visual acuity, and determine if the student needs to be referred for school based vision services (or early intervention for children birth through age 2). The following is a list of the ABC'S of vision problems. Some of these concerns may be related to other medical conditions or medications. It is always best to address any concerns with the student's pediatrician as well.

Appearance

  • One or both eyes turn inward or outward, or one is slightly higher or lower than the other eye.
  • Crusty or red eyelids or red eyes.
  • Eyes that are in constant, rapid motion.
  • Drooping eyelids(s)
  • Pupils of different sizes, or different reactions to light and accommodations.
  • Glands that are enlarged, inflamed, or otherwise infected.
  • Excessive tearing, light sensitivity, lid spasms.

Behavior

  • Lack of or reduced eye contact.
  • Shows poor eye muscle coordination.
  • Covers or closes one eye for critical seeing.
  • Thrusts head forward to see distant objects.
  • Tilts head to one side for critical seeing.
  • Tries to "brush away" a blur.
  • Rubs eyes often or blinks often while reading or looking at books.
  • Frowns or squints when looking at or trying to see distant objects.
  • Stumbles often over objects, is awkward
  • Holds book, toy, or picture too close or too far away.

Complaints

  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Burning or itching of eyes or eyelids.
  • Seeing double, or blurred vision.
  • Headaches, usually after a critical visual task.
  • Nausea or dizziness.
  • Eyestrain, fatigue.

School Related

  • Difficulty copying from the board.
  • Difficulty with handwriting.
  • Confuses similar words.
  • Needs more light to read than expected.
  • Reading comprehension deteriorates with time.
  • Doesn't read to the end of a sentence before going to the next.
  • Head moves instead of eyes when reading or looking at pictures.
  • Loses place when reading and skips lines.
  • Needs to use finger as a line marker.
  • Difficulty solving maze puzzles and word searches.
  • Math errors due to misalignment of numbers.
Vision Concerns Checklist
This checklist, available free for download on the Printables page, can be used to help those outside the vision field identify vision concerns and know when to make a referral for vision services.
History of vi
Visual Impairments
Vi organizations & Agencies
VI book resources
VI Professionals
Professionalism
Instructional Planning
Professional Publications
Educational Programming
Individual Learning Differences
referrals
Medical vision exams
fvlma
additional evaluations
service planning
writing goals
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles
​Functional Skills
Community Based Experiences  ​
​​Concepts to Teach ​
Organization & Study Skills ​​
Time Management  ​​
​​​​Virtual Instruction
​Movies & Assemblies
Lectures & Instruction
Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.)
​​Daily Schedule 
Morning Meeting 
Weather Check 
Dramatic Play 
Blocks 
Numbers & Counting
Cranmer Abacus Instruction
Algebra
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Measurement & Data ​
Early Literacy Experiences  ​
​Create Tactual Books
Reading Instruction
​Reading Efficiency ​​
Science Adaptations 
Social Studies Adaptations
​Accessible Educational Materials
​​Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
Adjust Lighting  
Large Print
Optical Devices for Near 
Optical Devices for Distance 
Optical Device Use ​​
​Photocopying
Font Legibility
Increase Contrast
Pictures & Worksheets 
Keyboarding ​Instruction
Word Processing and Shortcuts
​Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
Braille Code
Braille Instruction 
​Braille Instruction Materials
Writing Braille  
​Summer Reading (braille)
Signature & Handwriting ​​
Nemeth Braille Code
​Tactile Graphics Guidelines
Creating Tactile Graphics
​Tactile Graphics Instruction
​Teacher Made Materials 
​Labeling System
assistive technology
sensory efficiency
independent living
orientation & Mobility
career education
social skills
recreation & Leisure
self determination