Page 63 - CJO_F18
P. 63
CLINICAL RESEARCH C
Various Means of Treating School Learning Disabilities with
Visual Therapies: What is the Scientific Evidence?
Amélie Ganivet, OD, MSc Abstract
Isabelle Denault, OD Learning disabilities are complex disorders that interfere with the normal
acquisition and processing of knowledge. In the paediatric population,
Rosanne Superstein, dyslexia is the most common diagnosis. Learning disabilities are chronic
MD, FRCSC in nature and are not caused by visual, auditory, motor, or intellectual defi-
ciencies, or environmental factors. However, these conditions may coexist
with the disorder.
Nicole Fallaha,
MD, FRCSC
Many of these problems present when children start elementary
school, and it is important to offer early diagnosis and intervention.
Clinique d’optométrie Various theories have evolved suggesting that dyslexia and other learning
Granger Bernier et Associés disabilities are caused by vision problems. This article reviews the scientific
basis of these theories and the evidence-based research.
Sainte-Justine Hospital
Department of Ophthalmology This review shows that there is not enough scientific evidence to support
the proposition that vision therapy, training glasses, pursuit and saccade
exercises, magnifying glasses, coloured lenses and/or filters or prisms sig-
nificantly help children to cope with learning disabilities.
BACKGROUND
Learning disabilities are specific and frequent dysfunctions that impede
the normal development of acquisition processes. In 2006, according to
Statistics Canada, 3.2% of Canadian children aged 5 to 14 were affected
by a learning disability, which represents about one child per classroom. 1
Over the past few decades, several hypotheses have been put forth regard-
ing the etiology of learning disabilities, which have led to the develop-
ment of numerous scientifically unproven treatments. As an example,
various visual therapies have been proposed to treat these disorders.
2,3
To best help these patients focus their resources and efforts to achieve
their learning goals, any recommendation of these therapies should be
evidence-based.
3,4
Since they are likely due to underlying genetic traits, learning disabilities
are chronic and result from impaired neuropsychological functions. Im-
5-7
portantly, these disorders are not caused by intellectual impairment, sen-
sory impairment, poor academic supervision or lack of personal interest.
Affected children generally have average or above-average cognitive skills,
even if they have difficulty acquiring, understanding, organizing and pro-
cessing information. 4,5,7 The main learning disabilities are dyslexia, atten-
tion deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dysphasia, dysorthography,
dyspraxia, dyscalculia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Dyslexia is
the most frequently encountered disorder; it affects 80% of individuals with
learning disabilities and up to 5-17% of the general population. Therefore,
4-8
dyslexia will be the primary focus in this article.
CANADIAN JOURNAL of OPTOMETRY | REVUE CANADIENNE D’OPTOMÉTRIE VOL. 80 NO. 3 63
38668_CJO_F18_ONLINE_ONLY_ARTICLES August 13, 2018 12:32 PM APPROVAL: ___________________ DATE: ___________________
