Retinal differences in light sensitivity between dyslexic and proficient reading children: new prospects for optometric input in diagnosing dyslexia

Abstract

The role of visual processes in dyslexia has been overlooked in the recent past as linguistic explanations for this problem dominated educational thought. It is the intent of this paper to relate new information about visual functions with dyslexia. Static perimetry was used to assess brightness thresholds of dyslexic and proficient-reading children. The dyslexic subjects obtained significantly lower sensitivity scores (higher thresholds) than proficient readers for the upper hemifields. Visual field screening tests may be useful in the differential diagnosis of dyslexia.