Early screening for neurovisual disorders not only helps prevent visual impairments but also significantly improves a child’s academic, social, and emotional development.
In this COP9 article, discover how to recognize the signs, when to consult, and why early screening for neurovisual disorders can truly change a child’s daily life.
Some children may struggle with reading, navigating space, or copying text, even when their eyesight is sharp.
In these cases, the issue doesn’t lie with the eyes themselves, but with how the brain processes visual information. These are known as neurovisual disorders.
These conditions may affect various aspects of vision and include common issues like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, as well as more complex eye conditions like amblyopia and strabismus.
But neurovisual disorders go beyond simple refractive errors. They involve a difficulty in how the brain interprets visual signals sent from the eyes.
Without timely diagnosis, these disorders can cause long-term impairment of visual function.
This disorder makes spatial perception difficult.
Children with this disorder may bump into things, have trouble knowing where to stand in a room, get lost on a page while reading, or write in a scattered way. They might not understand instructions like “above,” “to the left,” or “between.”
The child can see clearly, but the brain doesn’t always identify what is seen.
For example, they may look at a fork but not recognize it, though they do when they touch it. This can affect their ability to learn objects, letters, or faces.
Although the child sees well, they struggle to use that visual input to guide their movements.
They may find it hard to write, cut, draw, or complete puzzles. They understand the task but can’t coordinate their actions accordingly.
Early screening is essential from the first years of schooling.
Prompt intervention helps prevent visual issues from interfering with a child’s cognitive development, motor skills, and self-esteem.
Early identification is essential to prevent long-term consequences on visual acuity.
Without a thorough visual assessment, the child may develop a lasting visual impairment, with a direct impact on academic performance and independence.
Screening for neurovisual disorders is all the more important because they are often associated with other developmental disorders such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or ADHD.
Managing them requires a collaborative approach involving healthcare professionals, teachers, and families.
During a consultation, the ophthalmologist evaluates eye health, including the cornea, the lens, and the retina.
Functional tests may detect issues in the optic nerves, retinal layers, or visual pathways in the brain.
These exams often include an orthoptic assessment to check binocular vision, eye coordination, and any motor disorders of the eyes.
Symptoms like double vision or poor field perception may suggest a neurological origin.
Comprehensive vision testing can also include:
refraction tests ;
depth perception ;
color vision tests.
These are vital to find rare visual conditions or neurological impairments.
In some cases, additional tests may include:
angiography ;
retinal imaging ;
pupil response tests to assess light reflexes.
These tests are particularly useful in neuro-ophthalmology.
The ophthalmologist plays a central, though not exclusive, role in diagnosing neurovisual disorders.
They work alongside orthoptists, neuropsychologists, speech therapists, and other visual rehabilitation professionals.
At our COP9 center, our orthoptists team carries out the orthoptic assessment, which helps identify binocular vision disorders, convergence problems, or visual tracking issues. Orthoptic therapy then provides a tailored rehabilitation program.
This teamwork supports rehabilitation and improves the child’s quality of life by helping them regain functional vision for school and daily activities.
A standard eye exam may not be enough.
Some disorders may go undetected if the root cause lies in the brain.
This is why a multidisciplinary approach is crucial when screening for neurovisual disorders.
The ophthalmologist can prescribe glasses or contact lenses, but may also recommend specific treatments such as intraocular implants in very specific cases.
They may also refer the child to a specialized hospital service equipped with advanced neurological and visual testing.
These signs may be warning signals and justify consulting an ophthalmologist:
frequent headaches ;
eye strain or visual fatigue ;
poor hand-eye coordination ;
difficulty following lines when reading.
Teachers may also notice a child avoiding visual tasks, confusing letters, or struggling to copy from the board.
A thorough eye examination will then help determine whether a neurovisual disorder is involved.
If there’s a family history of visual or ocular issues, scheduling an early consultation is strongly recommended.
A first vision assessment is recommended between the ages of 3 and 4, even without symptoms.
If signs appear earlier, screening during infancy can help prevent complications.
Starting school is also a critical moment, as visual demands increase significantly.
In complex cases, the ophthalmologist may refer the child to a hospital unit specializing in neuro-ophthalmology and visual rehabilitation.
This collaborative approach ensures a thorough evaluation and appropriate care for each child, to preserve or restore functional vision.
Screening for neurovisual disorders in children goes beyond a simple vision check. It requires a detailed understanding of how the visual system interacts with the brain.
The ophthalmologist plays a key role, but works hand in hand with a broader team including orthoptists, therapists, and specialists, when needed.
If you suspect a visual disorder, contact your ophthalmologist or a specialized clinic. A timely eye exam can make all the difference.
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