Introduction
As a species, I doubt we evolved specifically to end up using computers, smart devices, and other sustained near-point activities. The signs of visual strain are common, but often go undetected or ignored. Use this tool to do a quick assessment of risk for yourself or your child. If the result shows further care is indicated, you will almost certainly feel the benefits of comprehensive vision care. Like the most comfortable pair of shoes you’ve ever worn; applied to vision, this means a whole new world of comfort and freedom that can only be lived to be truly appreciated. You owe it to yourself and your child to pursue optimal visual function and health. Remove the obstacles to living and learning: It’s a kind and prudent thing to do.
Quick Assessment Tool
Print this list off: Quick Dx
Put a mark beside each item that applies to you or your child. If the results indicate a likely problem, write to info @ dvvc.ca to book an appointment. This is especially important if you are a student or work with books, paper, or computers. Bring this paper with you to the appointment.
- ___Children: Have any concern of learning or reading disability. Counts as 21.
- ___Skip lines while reading or copying
- ___Lose your place while reading or copying
- ___Skip words while reading or copying
- ___Substitute words while reading or copying
- ___Reread words or lines
- ___Reverse letters, numbers or words
- ___Use a finger or marker to keep place while reading/writing
- ___Read very slowly
- ___Poor reading comprehension (unless read to)
- ___Difficulty remembering what has been read
- ___Low reading tolerance, can only read for a brief time
- ___Hold your head too close when reading/writing (within 7-8″)
- ___Squint, close or cover one eye while reading
- ___Unusual posture (head turn/tilt) when reading/writing
- ___Headaches following reading/computer work
- ___Eyes that hurt or feel tired after close work, like phone use or crafts
- ___Feel unusually tired after completing a visually intensive task
- ___Double vision: Up and down (vertical)? Side to side (horizontal)? Both (diagonal)?
- ___Notice vision blurs at distance when looking up from near work (or the reverse)
- ___Have crooked or poorly spaced writing
- ___Notice that print seems to move or go in and out of focus
- ___Have poor spelling skills
- ___Notice that letters or lines “run together” or words “jump” when reading
- ___Misalign letters or numbers
- ___Make errors when copying
- ___Have difficulty tracking moving objects
- ___Notice unusual clumsiness, poor concentration
- ___Have difficulty with sports involving good hand-eye coordination
- ___Have an eye that turns in or out, up or down
- ___See more clearly with one eye than the other
- ___Feel sleepy while reading
- ___Dislike visual tasks requiring sustained concentration
- ___Avoid near tasks such as reading (with children, they might fight you on homework).
- ___Confuse right and left directions
- ___Become restless when working at a desk
- ___Find you must “feel” things to see them
- ___Experience carsickness, especially when reading while a passenger in a moving car
- ___Experience unusual (frequent or forced) blinking
- ___Experience unusual eye rubbing
- ___Experience dry eyes
- ___Experience watery eyes
- ___Experience red eyes
- ___Have eyes that are bothered by/sensitive to light
Criteria:
• 15-20 points total = Possible functional vision problems
• 21-30 points total = Probable functional vision problems
• Over 30 points total = Definite functional vision problems
• 15+ total points = Functional vision evaluation recommended