Resources for Teachers
Practical guidance to help you identify and support students with vision needs.
Vision is closely tied to how students learn, with research showing that around 85% of classroom learning relies on good visual function. Vision itself is more than just clarity — it is a skill that develops over time, requiring students to identify, process, interpret, and understand what they see.
Why this matters in the classroom
Effective learning depends on both accurate focusing and smooth, coordinated eye movements.
When students experience near-point stress during tasks like reading or writing, they may show fatigue, lose concentration, or struggle to keep up.
These difficulties can slow visual discrimination, reduce comprehension, and directly affect academic progress.
Teachers often notice these challenges when students are learning to read in the early years, and later when they are expected to read to learn across subjects.
By recognising these patterns, teachers can play a key role in identifying students who may need a comprehensive eye examination. Early support ensures vision problems are addressed before they become barriers to learning.
Common signs of vision problems in students
Teachers are often the first to notice when a child is struggling to see clearly. In a classroom setting, watch for these behaviours:
-
If a student squints at the whiteboard or blinks repeatedly during lessons, they may be straining to see.
-
When a child consistently leans over their desk or brings reading material close to their face, it can indicate short-sightedness (myopia).
-
Skipping lines, losing their place, or struggling to read aloud may point to eye tracking concerns.
-
Students who complain of headaches after classwork, especially reading or computer tasks, may be experiencing eye strain.
-
Difficulty catching a ball in sport, bumping into objects, or struggling with writing and drawing can sometimes be linked to vision issues.
By recognising these signs early, teachers can play a vital role in prompting parents to arrange an eye examination, ensuring students receive the support they need for learning and development.
Why addressing vision-related issues is important
Parents and their children are often referred to For Eyes because there are concerns a child may be underachieving. The way the brain and eyes work together has a significant impact on the learning process, and when this isn’t functioning well it can hold a child back.
When vision does not work as it should, no matter how much effort a child, parent, or teacher puts in, it can interfere with a student reaching their potential. Many children with reading difficulties also have an underlying vision problem.
Research shows that one in five children experience a vision issue that directly affects learning. These problems are often linked to focusing, eye teaming, and visual stamina. Students with these difficulties may struggle to concentrate when reading or writing, and their reading may be less accurate or fluent, particularly over longer periods of time.
How teachers can help
Classroom Observations
Teachers can watch students during everyday activities to spot early signs of vision problems. Noticing changes in behaviour — such as a drop in academic performance, trouble staying focused, or growing frustration with reading and written tasks — can be an early indicator that vision is affecting learning.
Encouraging regular eye exams
Teachers can encourage parents to book routine eye exams for their children. Early detection and treatment of vision problems can prevent long-term academic and social difficulties.