Gary

The “Where” Pathway: Why You’re Bumping Into Door Frames

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We have two main visual pathways: the Ventral (“What”) and the Dorsal (“Where”). Many neuro-optometry patients have a perfectly functioning “What” system (20/20 vision) but a compromised “Where” system.The Symptoms: This leads to poor spatial awareness, clumsiness, and difficulty with fast-moving sports.Sports Photography Connection: To capture a high-speed action shot, your Dorsal stream must be primed to anticipate where the athlete will be. Training this pathway is the secret to both elite sports performance and post-stroke safety.

Gary

wibbly wobbly vision!

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“Child says the words are moving on the page.”

“Why does my child rub their eyes when reading?”

“My 6 year old says the letters are dancing.”

“Child skipping lines or losing place when reading.”

“Why does my child get headaches after school?”

“Words look blurry or wiggly to my child.”

Gary

Mears irlen syndrome or visual stress- What are the vision symptoms

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“My 6 year old hates reading and cries.”

“Why is my child guessing words instead of sounding them out?”

“Child avoiding school books 6 year old.”

“Is it normal for a Year 1 child to struggle with phonics?”

“How to help a reluctant reader at home.”

I offer help in the form of vision assessments both at home and in practice. It is a private service and isn’t funded by the NHS.

https://seeingmind.co.uk/visual-stress-home-appointment/

Gary

Vision Red Flags

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“What are the signs I should look for at home?”

Keep an eye out for these “red flags” during reading time:

  • Rubbing eyes or squinting frequently.
  • Skipping lines or losing their place.
  • Moving the book closer or further away constantly.
  • Reporting headaches or tired eyes after school.
  • Using a finger to track every single word.
Gary
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“Is this the same thing as Dyslexia?”

Not exactly, but they often go hand-in-hand. While Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference, Visual Stress is a sensory/visual issue. Many children with Dyslexia also have Visual Stress. By identifying and “fixing” the visual side with the right colour or lens, we can clear the path for them to engage with their phonics and reading lessons more effectively.

We often find getting the right FONT is as important as the right colour too. We are here to help. (Even the page you are looking at has a great Font to help with reading)

Gary

Phonics

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“My child is falling behind in Year 1 phonics. Could a coloured overlay help?”

Many parents find that a specific colour of transparent overlay can “calm” the page down. By changing the background colour from bright white to a softer tint (like mint, lilac, or rose), the “dancing” letters often stand still. This can be a game-changer for children preparing for the Phonics Screening Check, as it allows them to actually focus on the sounds rather than fighting the visual distortions.

Gary

20/20 – vision but….

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“We had a school eye test and they said my child’s vision is 20/20. Why are they still struggling?”

This is very common! A standard eye test usually checks sight (how clearly they see a letter chart in the distance). However, it often doesn’t check visual processing (how the brain handles text up close). A child can have “perfect” 20/20 vision but still experience visual stress that makes reading a book feel like a physical chore.

Gary

Dancing Words!

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“Why does my child say the ‘words are dancing’ or moving on the page?”

If your child tells you the letters are wiggling, “jumping,” or that the white paper is “too bright,” they aren’t just being imaginative. This is a classic sign of Visual Stress. To some children, the high contrast of black text on white paper causes the brain to become over-stimulated, making the words appear to move, blur, or even disappear.

Gary

Hates reading?

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“My 6-year-old hates reading and cries during homework. Is this just being a ‘reluctant reader’?”

It’s heartbreaking when reading time ends in tears. While some children just take a bit longer to find their “spark,” frequent crying or total avoidance often means they are physically struggling with what they see. If your child is guessing words or seems exhausted after just one page, it might not be a lack of interest—it might be that their eyes and brain are working overtime to make sense of the text.