Back-to-School Vision Care: What Parents Often Miss 

The backpacks are packed, the pencils are sharpened, and another school year is officially underway. But even after the first bell rings, there’s one important back-to-school step that many families overlook: evaluating how well their child’s visual system is truly functioning. 

We’re not talking about just seeing clearly on the eye chart. At Alphapointe Clinics, we help children who may have perfect eyesight but still struggle to process what they see. These issues often go undetected and can lead to challenges both in the classroom and on the field. 

Vision Problems Aren’t Always About Glasses 

Many people assume that if a child passes a standard vision screening, their eyes are “fine.” But that’s just one small piece of a much bigger puzzle. In reality, it takes more than 17 different visual skills to succeed in school, sports and daily life. Visual acuity (20/20 vision) is just one of them. 

What’s often missed? 

• How the eyes work together (binocular vision) 

• Whether the eyes can track smoothly across a page 

• If the brain can process and interpret what the eyes see 

• How well the eyes converge (turn inward to focus on near tasks) 

If any of these systems aren’t functioning properly, a child can experience: 

• Trouble reading or understanding what they see 

• Headaches, fatigue or eye strain 

• Poor attention span or focus 

• Difficulty with coordination or sports performance 

• Behavioral issues misattributed to ADHD or learning disabilities 

Many children don’t know how to explain that they’re having trouble seeing – they assume everyone sees the way they do. That’s why early detection is so important. 

When Vision and the Brain Don’t Connect 

Alphapointe Clinics specializes in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and vision therapy: areas of care that address how the brain and eyes work together. For many children, the problem isn’t what they see, but how they process it. 

This disconnect can arise from: 

• Learning-related visual issues (common in early readers) 

• Developmental delays 

• Concussions or sports-related TBIs 

• Neurological conditions like stroke or tumors 

We often see young patients who have 20/20 vision but are still struggling in school. Their eyes may work fine independently, but not together, causing words to jump on the page or making it hard to keep their place while reading. 

Key Signs to Watch For (Even After School Starts)  

Since many kids don’t realize they see differently from others, they rarely report problems. That’s why it’s essential for parents, teachers and caregivers to watch for these signs: 

• Frequent headaches or fatigue after school 

• Avoiding reading or homework 

• Losing place while reading or skipping lines 

• Difficulty copying from the board 

• Reversals of letters or numbers (not always dyslexia!) 

• Squinting, head tilting or eye rubbing 

• Poor sports performance or clumsiness 

• Trouble staying focused or motivated 

Why Vision Therapy for Kids Makes a Difference 

At Alphapointe, our team of optometrists and vision therapists take a whole-system approach to evaluating and treating vision problems. We don’t provide general eye care or annual exams. Instead, we step in when vision issues are not correctable with glasses, surgery or medication. 

That includes: 

• Comprehensive functional pediatric vision evaluations 

• Personalized Children’s vision therapy  

• Treatment for convergence insufficiency and other binocular issues 

• Rehabilitation for pediatric vision problems caused by brain injuries 

For example, a student recovering from a concussion may have trouble reading or focusing in class. With the right therapeutic approach, we can help them regain these critical skills, and their confidence. 

What About Low Vision? 

Some children experience vision loss that can’t be corrected, from conditions like optic nerve damage, retinitis pigmentosa or glaucoma. In these cases, we offer low vision rehabilitation and adaptive strategies to help them maintain independence and succeed in school and daily life. 

Services include: 

• Assistive technology training (e.g., screen readers, magnifiers)  

• Orientation and mobility training 

• Collaboration with IEP teams for classroom accommodations 

Partnering With Parents, Educators and Care Teams 

Our care doesn’t stop at the clinic. Alphapointe works closely with schools, therapists and physicians to ensure every child has the support they need. We help families: 

• Advocate for school-based accommodations 

• Understand complex vision diagnoses 

• Create at-home strategies to support learning and development 

We’re also here for community partners: school nurses, counselors and education nonprofits, who want to spread awareness about these often-overlooked issues. 

Football Season, Concussions & Vision 

With sports seasons underway, now is an especially important time to talk about vision and brain health. Even mild TBIs, like a sports concussion, can result in lasting visual issues. If a student-athlete is struggling post-injury, vision therapy for kids may be the missing link in their recovery. 

We’re Here When Others Can’t Help 

At Alphapointe, we’re not a substitute for your child’s primary eye doctor, we’re the next step. If your child is: 

• Still struggling despite “normal” results 

• Experiencing vision-related learning delays 

• Recovering from a concussion or neurological event 

…we’re here to dig deeper and deliver personalized care with empathy and expertise. 

Let’s Make This Year Their Clearest Yet 

Whether your child is reading their first book or applying to colleges, vision plays a vital role in how they experience the world. If something feels off, even if you can’t quite name it, trust your instincts. 

Alphapointe Clinics are here to help your child see clearly, process confidently and learn with ease. 

Call 816-237-2020 or request an evaluation today.