Vision is central to reading, but good vision is not just about healthy eyes. Vision is a complex interaction between the eyes and the brain, where a crucial factor in reading ability is the visual attention .
Visual attention is the ability to focus on the right information, filter out irrelevant visual stimuli, and maintain concentration on specific words and letters. It also involves being able to track text line by line and move your gaze effectively between words and sentences. Problems with visual attention can lead to reading difficulties and a reduced ability to understand and process text.
Several diagnoses and conditions can affect visual attention, such as vision problems and visual impairments such as amblyopia. ADHD, dyslexia, stroke, brain injuries and post-COVID can also cause difficulties maintaining visual attention while reading.
What is consensus?
Consensus, or Binocular vision , means that both eyes work together to focus on the same object. This cooperation allows us to achieve stereo vision (depth perception), better visual acuity and a larger field of view. Co-vision is crucial for a stable and functional visual experience, especially during close work such as reading or screen time.
Vision problems occur when the eyes have difficulty working together and focusing on the same point. These problems fall into two main categories:
- Manifest strabismus (Tropi) : Here the strabismus is clear and constant.
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Latent strabismus (Fori) : The most common type, where the eyes are technically aligned correctly, but the brain needs to work extra hard to keep them aligned.
Latent strabismus is common and most people have it without any problems. However, for about 10% of the population, both children and adults, it can lead to symptoms that affect everyday life.
Symptoms of consensus problems
Symptoms occur primarily during activities that require close focus, such as reading, computer work, and mobile phone use. Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Binocular double vision
- Pain in and around the eyes
- Tendency to cover one eye
With increased screen time and close work, vision problems have become increasingly common. The prevalence among children and young people has tripled to around 30% since the advent of smartphones.
Fatigue of the eyes and visual system
When the eyes and visual system are overloaded, several negative effects can occur:
- Double vision
- Difficulty staying focused on lines of text
- Reduced reading speed and endurance
- Lack of concentration
- Headache
Reading text where the image is perceived as partially double is tiring and affects both reading speed and comprehension. Even small deviations in alignment can cause significant problems, especially in school, and affect both performance and self-confidence.
Treatment of consensus problems
Traditionally, one can deal with consensus problems through exercises that train eye coordination. Examples of these are Brockstring, near-point cards and Hart Chart.
Modern treatment methods instead use VR glasses in combination with image manipulation. Research shows that these methods can produce results as good as, or even better than, traditional treatment.
Visual attention training
Visual attention training can improve reading speed , reading comprehension and concentration. This is not only relevant for people with visual impairments but also for those with diagnoses such as dyslexia, ADHD, concussion or stroke. Through structured training, the individual can become better at focusing, filtering out irrelevant impressions and maintaining a stable gaze over the text.
