Vision Problems and Autism (ASD)

While autism and vision problems are separate medical issues (neither one directly causes the other), there is some noticeable overlap. Patients with autism frequently also suffer from vision issues which may exacerbate problems caused by their autism. For example, a vision issue which makes it hard to properly focus the eyes and maintain eye contact can make it even harder for someone with a developmental problem making communication difficult.

Additionally, some vision issues can cause symptoms which may be mistaken for autism symptoms and thus lead to misdiagnosis.

Vision Problems and Autism (ASD) in Bellflower

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Vision Problems Often Experienced by People with Autism

There are a number of vision-related symptoms often experienced by people with autism. These symptoms can be caused by the autism itself, but often are caused by vision issues.

These symptoms include:

Poor eye contact
Peripheral vision issues
Eye tracking difficulty
Light sensitivity
Eye alignment issues

Autistic Behavior Due to Vision Issues

There are also some recognized autistic behaviors which can be caused, at least in part, by vision issues. These include:

Head tilting
Lack of eye contact
Visual stimming (flapping fingers in front of the eyes)
Absence of reciprocal play
Looking past, or through objects.

Why are Autism and Vision Issues Often Found Together?

Autism is a developmental disorder typically described as a condition which makes it difficult for someone to properly interact with the world around them. Due to the fact that it is a challenge for them to interact with things, especially in social settings, they may engage in habits that inhibit their visual development, or they may simply not develop some of the crucial vision skills they need, and thus suffer from vision problems.

On the other hand, since vision is a key tool in a child’s development, vision issues can lead to slower development, which manifests as more severe autism. Thus correcting any vision issues can help the child make up for their slower prior development, and have an easier time interacting with the world around them.

Why are Autism and Vision Issues Often Found Together?

How are Autistic Patients Tested for Vision Issues?

Depending on the level of the patient’s emotional and physical development, the vision testing process can vary. Often, the tests are done while the patient wears special lenses as they perform a series of activities. These tests help our doctor understand just how the autistic patient is seeing, and what can be done to improve their vision skills. Following the tests, our doctor will formulate a personalized treatment plan based on the patient’s needs and level of development.

What is the Goal of Treatment?

Vision therapy is designed to help the patient improve their vision skills to correct the problems they are experiencing, and thus improve their quality of life. For autistic patients, this treatment can help them better process visual information, improve their eye coordination, better organize their visual space, and better manage both their central and peripheral vision.

Treatment includes specialized exercises, as well as vision aids such as specialized lenses. Depending on the nature of the patient’s vision issues, corrective lenses may also be prescribed.

Summary

While vision issues and autism are separate conditions, they are often comorbid, and treating these vision problems can help improve the quality of life for autism patients, though their vision therapy should also be in conjunction with other forms of treatment or therapy. Vision therapy, with its highly individualized treatment plans, is a great choice both for correcting vision issues and for working with autism patients who have additional struggles. If your child has autism, and you suspect they may also be suffering from a vision issue, contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation. If you'd like to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our developmental optometrist, please call (562) 925-6591. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.