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When Vision Problems Shape How Kids See Themselves

Sep 22, 2025 | 5:00 AM

Many children struggle in the classroom. But if reading, focusing, and learning are harder for them than for their peers, the true cause may be going unnoticed.

Dr. Mark Langer of IRIS Optometry and Opticians shared the story of a 35-year-old patient who had struggled with reading and learning since childhood. “He turns to me and says ‘My whole life I thought I was dumb’ as tears are starting to well up in his eyes, because I had just diagnosed him with an ocular motor issue that he had been struggling with but had never known about.”

The patient explained that academics had always been challenging for him. “So from a very early age, he bought into this idea that he was just stupid,” said Dr. Langer. “But he wasn’t stupid. His eyes were holding him back.”

When undiagnosed vision issues make academic tasks harder than they should be, the struggles aren’t just about grades. They can shape a child’s confidence and self-esteem. As in the case of Dr. Langer’s patient, this impact on a child’s self-worth sometimes carries into adulthood.

“Up to 80% of learning is visual, and it’s an even greater factor for kids who are struggling,” stated Dr. Langer, noting that the percentage is even higher for children who have an individualized education plan.

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“If they have an IEP and are still struggling to read, it jumps up to 85%. So, 85% of those kids have an undiagnosed and untreated vision or ocular motor issue.”

While extra educational resources are valuable, they can’t address the learning challenges caused by undiagnosed vision problems. The good news is that these vision or ocular motor issues are usually easy to treat.

Even better, MSP pays 100% of the cost of yearly eye exams for BC residents under 19 years old. “You can’t put a price tag on a child’s self confidence or their belief that they can tackle problems head on,” noted Dr. Langer. “But you can put a price tag on eye exams, and that price tag is $0.”

IRIS is now in their new location on Anderson Way. To schedule an appointment for your child, call (250) 542-2239 or book online.