What is SIGHT?
SIGHT OCCURS IN THE EYES ONLY! Sight is nothing more than the eye's response to light. Sight is the ability of the eye to transduce light rays into an electrical impulse that is carried by the optic nerves. From these impulses, the brain must reconstruct and interpret the eye's images. A sight test is not a vision test. Unfortunately standard chart methods determining acuity of sight at certain distances have become a criteria of visual ability in the minds of those who may not have really thought about the actual purpose of vision. (G.N. Getman "HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR CHILD'S INTELLIGENCE")

What is VISION?
VISION INVOLVES MUCH MORE THAN JUST SIGHT. Vision is more than the limited concept of sight measured in terms of visual acuity. Vision is the process of deriving meaning from what is seen, integrating it with the information received from the other senses, and then directing one's action accordingly. It involves fixation and eye movement abilities, accommodation (eye focusing), convergence (eye aiming), binocularity (eye teaming), visual/language perception and visual-motor integration. Vision is a continuous learning process. (AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND G.N. GETMAN)

SKEFFINGTON'S FOUR CIRCLES
Dr. A.M. Skeffington utilized the schematic shown below to define vision and show how it emerges. The schematic shows that one must look at the whole body and not just the eye when defining vision.

I=IDENTIFICATION
C=CENTERING
L=LANGUAGE
A=ANTI-GRAVITY

V=VISION or EMERGENT

IDENTIFICATION-What is it? Accurate sight, eye movements, accommodation (focusing), and visual analysis (form perception, visual-attention to detail, visual memory) skills are needed to be able to identify what an object is.

CENTERING-Where is it?
Normal eye teaming and literality/directionality are needed to perceive accurately where objects are.

LANGUAGE-What can I tell you about it?
Normal auditory visual integration and visual motor integration are needed to be able to communicate to others what one sees or has seen.

ANTIGRAVITY-Where am I?
Normal reflexes, balance/vestibular functioning, bilateral coordination, gross motor and fine motor skills are needed to be able to efficiently react and interact with our environment.

VISION = I+C+L+A

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A VISION PROBLEM
Appearance of eyes
Reddened eyes or lids
Eyes tear often
Encrusted eyelids
Frequent sties on lids

Complaints when using eyes
Headaches
Burning eyes
Itching eyes
Nausea after reading
Print blurs
Double vision

Teacher's observations while student is reading
Head movement
Loses place often
Needs finger to keep place
Omits words frequently
Re-reads lines
Skips lines
Confuses similar words
Short attention span
Fails to recognize some words

When student writes
Writes up- or downhill
Repeats letters within words
Omits letters, numbers, or phrases
Misaligns digits
Tilts head
Covers one eye
Fails to recognize same word when repeated in text
Makes mistakes when copying from board
Writing poorly spaced or crooked
Unable to stay on ruled lines
Poor placement of words on page

Other problems
Must feel things to understand
Repeatedly confuses right and left
Difficulty with similarities and differences
Avoids desk work
Blinks, squints, or rubs eyes
Fatigues easily

Vision Care to Last a Lifetime

Birth to Three

Around six months, your baby should see a developmental optometrist for his or her first eye exam. Your baby will be tested for near or farsightedness, ocular alignment, eye movement skills and eye health. early detection is the key for ensuring your baby will develop a healthy visual system.

Three to Six

By preschool your child should have his or her eyes checked for eye health, movement skills, muscle coordination, focusing skills and peripheral vision.

Seven to Eighteen

Annual eye exams are recommended for all children. Vision is very important during the school years. As a child learns to read, then reads to learn, clear single vision and smooth eye movements are critical.

Ages 19-45

You should have your eyes checked every two to three years to ensure your eyes remain healthy and your vision is clear.

Ages 45 and older

Annual eye exams are recommended. After 45, your eyes will have more difficulty focusing up close, requiring reading glasses or bifocals. In addition, the risk for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration increases.

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