Oculomotor-related measures but not distance visual acuity are predictive of reading ability in first graders

Abstract

AbstractVision screening in junior schools around the globe are often limited to distance visual acuity (dVA). Oculomotor dysfunction (OMD) is an umbrella term that includes abnormalities in comfortable and accurate control of the oculomotor system (fixation, pursuits and saccades) and can exist despite normal dVA. Since we assumed that a basic prerequisite for successful reading is that the ocular sensory-motor functions perform in flawless harmony with effortless automaticity, we hypothesized that OMD but not dVA would have profound effect on comfortable and efficient acquisition of effective reading skills. Consequently, we retrospectively compared independently obtained (double blind) reading evaluations and extensive optometric screening examinations of a class of 28 first graders. We found, as we hypothesized, that performance on optometric oculomotor tests, but not dVA, were predictive of reading test performance (both speed and accuracy) according to the standardized national reading norms. Our results suggest reevaluating the effectiveness of dVA as a marker of visual readiness for scholastic achievements. We propose including OMD related assessments as part of a paradigm shift in both vision screening in early readers as well as potential treatment protocols for those pupils struggling to acquire efficient reading skills.