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Special Supplement to The Glendale Star and Peoria Times

HEALTH

WELLNESS Your Local Guide to Better Living

Fall 2022

INSIDE

This Issue

Learning diﬃculties? Have child’s vision tested BY DR. ALICIA FEIS, FAAO

Midwestern University Eye Institute

S HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY.................. 4 Dementia education coming to a doctor near you

BENEVILLA ............ 6 Caregiver Connect event returns in person

HOME INSTEAD ... 11 Topic Tuesday offers ongoing education

tarting a new school year is a great time to focus on your children’s vision — especially because there are 17 different visual skills required for effective learning. Because vision and learning are so intimately connected, vision problems can easily be mistaken for learning problems. Correctable vision issues are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities, ADHD or dyslexia. As many as 40% of all children with learning disabilities have vision problems that are misdiagnosed. While many schools and pediatricians can perform basic vision screenings, only a comprehensive eye exam done by an optometrist can truly diagnose a vision-related learning issue. Glasses are helpful for some vision problems, but vision is more than seeing 20/20. Learning to read involves accurate eye movements, focusing, and binocularity. As a result, learning is difficult if any of these systems are not functioning at an optimum level. But the good news is that vision therapy can help correct vision systems to improve visual function. Vision-related learning problems are often not identified right away, and students who are affected might not even realize they are having a visual issue. Signs and symptoms can include skipping or re-reading of lines, following the text with a finger, closing or covering an eye, seeing double and avoiding close-up work. This list is not comprehensive, and children will have

Children who are experiencing headaches or difficulty seeing the board in school may benefit from a comprehensive eye examination to evaluate the 17 visual skills that are needed for effective learning. (Midwestern University/Submitted)

the best chance of learning success when their families schedule regular eye exams with an optometrist to diagnose and treat any vision or other ocular health concerns. Make sure your child’s eyes are in tip-top shape for reading and learning by scheduling an annual comprehensive eye exam at the Midwestern University Eye Institute in Glendale before any issues occur. Call 623-537-6000 for an appointment. The information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment. Always consult a qualiﬁed

You Want

Comprehensive Eye and The Midwestern UniversityVision Eye Institute is your source for Care. affordable, comprehensive eye and vision care. Working as a team, Midwestern faculty doctors and students use the latest technology to provide a wide range of primary and specialty services and treatments for the entire family.

We are Your Healthcare Team. Call for an appointment: 623-537-6000

health care provider for questions regarding any possible health condition. Dr. Alicia Feis, FAAO, is dean of the Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale and supervises third- and fourth-year optometry students in their pediatric clinical rotations at the Midwestern University Eye Institute. Eye Institute faculty doctors and students utilize the latest technology and research to evaluate and treat a wide range of vision and ocular health concerns for both children and adults, at affordable prices. For more information, call 623537-6000 or visit mwuclinics.com/az/ei.

MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY EYE INSTITUTE

Your Family’s Home for Healthcare