Visual Difficulties (or 'visual stress') and Dyslexia: Why Both Need Exploring — and Why Different Professionals Assess Them

When a child is struggling with reading, parents are often left trying to untangle a confusing question: Is this dyslexia, or could it be something visual? The truth is that visual difficulties and dyslexia are two separate issues, assessed by two different types of professionals, and they each play a different role in a child’s reading journey.

Co-occurrence is the Norm, Not the Exception

It is well-known that co-occurring difficulties are prevalent in neurodevelopmental profiles, and dyslexia often occurs alongside other conditions such as ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder, and Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia).

Dyslexia can also co-exist with visual processing or visual comfort issues. These visual challenges do not cause dyslexia and are not defining characteristics of it — but they can contribute to reading discomfort, fatigue, and avoidance. Therefore, visual factors should always be examined before a dyslexia assessment.

Who Assesses What?

1. Visual Difficulties → Assessed by an Optometrist

A specialist optometrist investigates biological and functional factors with the eyes, including:

• visual acuity (how clearly the child sees)

• eye muscle control

• binocular vision

• tracking

• convergence

• focusing

• sensitivity to contrast or light

  
  

If difficulties are identified, they can provide interventions such as:

• corrective lenses

• vision therapy

• eye exercises

• tints or overlays (when appropriate)

This work addresses the physical comfort of looking at text, not literacy skills.

2. Dyslexia → Assessed by a Specialist Teacher Assessor or Educational Psychologist

Once visual comfort is addressed, a dyslexia assessor investigates the cognitive and attainment factors that underpin reading and spelling, such as:

• phonological awareness

• rapid naming

• verbal and visual memory

• working memory

• processing speed

• decoding

• reading fluency

• spelling and writing skills

These assessments focus on how the brain processes language — not on eyesight or the mechanics of vision.

A true diagnosis of dyslexia relies on cognitive evidence, achievement data, developmental history, and patterns of strength and difficulty, not on any visual symptom.

Why Vision Must Be Checked Before a Dyslexia Assessment

Although vision problems don’t cause dyslexia, they can:

• make reading physically tiring

• reduce stamina

• slow down fluency

• cause a child to lose their place

• create frustration or avoidance

All of these can affect performance during a dyslexia assessment.

By checking eyesight first, we ensure the assessment reflects the child’s true underlying cognitive profile, not temporary visual discomfort.

How I Support Families Through This Journey

At Clarity Assessment, I guide parents through each step so that nothing is missed and every child feels supported.

Before a diagnostic assessment, I help families ensure that:

✔️ the child has had a recent optician appointment

✔️ any visual stress or discomfort has been explored

✔️ school has shared relevant observations

✔️ we have a full background picture from home

Once visual factors have been considered, my assessment focuses deeply on how your child learns, not just whether they “tick the boxes” for dyslexia.

And the final report offers far more than a diagnosis — it gives a roadmap for teaching, support, and confidence-building.

What to Do If You’re Unsure Where to Start

If you’re not sure whether your child’s reading difficulties are visual, cognitive, or a mixture of both, I offer a free initial consultation — a short triage appointment to guide you through the next steps. You can book a free 30-minute enquiry call here: https://lizzymorton.youcanbook.me/

We can talk through:

• your child’s reading experience

• any visual signs you’ve noticed

• what school has observed

• whether they are ready for a dyslexia assessment

• who to contact first, depending on their needs

  
  

There’s no pressure — just clear, professional guidance so you know exactly what to do.

Clarity Leads to Confidence

By exploring visual and cognitive factors in the right order — and with the right professionals — you ensure your child’s needs are understood fully and accurately.

Once vision has been checked, a specialist assessment can give you the insight, reassurance, and direction you need to support your child’s learning with confidence.