The 17 Key Visual Skills

So often we often take our ability to see for granted. Most of us live rushed, harried lives that make it difficult for us to focus on much. And realistically, once we’re able to see, we generally don’t take the time to understand why that is.

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Our eyes may be one of the smallest organs we possess, but they are powered by intricate neurological pathways that allow us to process the world in bold, beautiful ways. Even when a child's vision appears to be fine, a visual skill that falls below their grade level will force them to work harder than others do to accomplish what comes naturally to their peers.

Visual Memory describes our ability to remember the images and words we have seen in the past. Visual memory allows us to copy material on a board into our notebooks, or verbally describe an image we’ve seen in an email or document. Poor visual memory can interfere with academic success and workplace performance.
Binocular Coordination occurs when our eyes are able to work together, in concert, in order to focus on the same thing at the same time. This skill is particularly helpful when reading. Binocular deficiencies can lead to the development of convergence insufficiency and a lazy eye.
Eye Movement Control describes the ability to move your eyes together in order to focus on a person, picture, or object. This skill relies on the careful coordination of the six ocular muscles that control how the eyes work in unison. This particular skill helps us maintain clear, non blurry images when we read and write.
Pursuits are required in order for our eyes to maintain a smooth transition between two different points. This is a necessary skill when following or tracking a ball’s movement during sports. Deficits in this skill may indicate the presence of a brain injury or be the result of a trauma.
Convergence describes our eyes’ ability to work as a team, whether they are looking inward or focusing ahead. This skill is vital for professional, academic, and athletic performance. Convergence insufficiencies can be detected in patients who cover one eye to read or tilt their head to see clearly.

Accommodation Flexibility is necessary in order to accurately see things close up and far away. It is particularly helpful when driving and taking notice of directional signs. Individuals lacking this skill may have a difficult time in classrooms, where they need to read their notes while looking up, and have difficulty driving safely.
Saccades are quick movements that occur at the same time when looking at one or more points. This skill is necessary when reading and writing, such as smoothly moving our eyes across a sentence. The absence of proper saccadic rhythm can lead to dizziness, difficulties maintaining attention and focus, and frequent mistakes.
Accommodation Endurance describes the eyes’ ability to focus close up or far away for extended periods of time. This is helpful when using a computer, or attending to tasks for long periods of time. Problems with accommodation endurance can lead to blurred vision and make it more difficult to read as the day progresses.
Spatial/ Visual Learning speaks to the ability to think about and evaluate what you have seen. The ability to understand computations relies heavily on this skill. This skill plays an important role in the learning process, particularly for students who understand material more in picture than word form.

Depth Perception is the ability to discriminate between objects that are nearby or far away, particularly as they relate to one another. This skill is particularly important for both athletic and academic success. Individuals lacking this skill make rather unsafe drivers or may bump into things more frequently.
Gross Visual-Motor abilities allow us to move through our environment by using cues that prevent us from bumping into things. This is critical for being able to navigate unfamiliar environments and help us prevent injuries. Those with poor gross visual motor skills are more inclined to bump into furniture, walls, and slippery surfaces.
Central Visual Acuity describes the ability to see clearly. This skill is evaluated based on how well you can see when standing a certain amount of feet from a standard eye chart. This is most commonly used to determine if your vision is 20/20 or a variation. Those without this skill generally need corrective lenses.
Peripheral Vision (Side Vision) is the ability to see objects on the side without needing to move our heads or look in their direction. This is helpful during sports activities and helps us determine the safety of our surroundings. In boxing, this skill allows opponents to see surprise punches and defend themselves in response.

Color Perception allows us to discern colors from one another. This is helpful in determining color coded systems such as traffic lights and safety warnings and discerning the movement of an object that is similar to its background color. For example, a white baseball flying across a white, hazy sky.
Fine Visual-Motor movements allow us to focus on activities that require small movements and attention to detail. Sewing, texting, and pixelated artwork rely on this skill. People who lack fine visual-motor skills often have messy handwriting and may be unable to dress themselves (e.g., difficulty fastening zippers and buttons)
Visual Integration allows us to combine the stimuli we take in through all of our senses simultaneously. Examples of this skill are demonstrated when we cross the street while drinking coffee, looking at what we’re eating at a restaurant, and playing the piano while reading sheet music, taking notes about what the teacher wrote on the board while listening to the teacher speak. If someone has difficulty with visual integration they may day dream as a way of “turning off” overwhelming stimuli.
Visual Perception describes our awareness of our environment and what is happening around us. This describes the sum total of what can be seen within the full breadth of our visual abilities. Challenges to visual perception can compromise fine motor movement and one's overall independence.

When it's Time to Discuss Vision Therapy

If you or your child have difficulties with any of these skills, schedule an appointment for a functional vision exam with our developmental optometrist to determine whether vision therapy or other interventions might be helpful. To schedule a functional vision exam, please call (423) 710 3965. Patients with functional vision issues visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of functional vision services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.

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Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!