FILE Vision and learning: the role of visual health in academic success

At a time when learning disabilities and concentration difficulties are at the heart of educational concerns, the link between vision and learning remains undervalued. Yet, nearly 80% of learning occurs through the eyes. Reading, writing, spatial awareness, prolonged attention span… All of these academic skills directly depend on good visual health. If poorly identified, visual disorders can hinder children's learning, generate fatigue, and even cause behavioral problems. In this context, the role of eye care professionals becomes central: not only to correct, but also to screen, advise, and alert.

Vision and learning: an often overlooked relationship

In the early years of school, children learn to read, write, navigate, follow lines, and copy text from the board. All of this learning places significant demands on vision, particularly fine visual functions: acuity, convergence, accommodation, and hand-eye coordination. When these functions are impaired, even slightly, children may have difficulty concentrating, read slowly, confuse certain letters, or tire quickly.

Visual impairments are not limited to myopia or hyperopia . Slightly blurred vision, difficulty changing focus, or problems with visual-spatial perception can lead to learning delays. However, these difficulties are often confused with a lack of attention or motivation.

Studies confirm it: early vision screening , starting in kindergarten and then primary school, is essential to prevent simple visual problems from becoming obstacles to academic success. And in this chain of prevention, the optician plays a key role.

Approximately 80% of learning is achieved through sight. Undetected visual impairments can lead to difficulties with reading, writing, and concentration, often confused with attention or learning disorders. According to the Ministry of Health, 20% of children have refractive errors, which can cause difficulties at school and hinder daily life.

Studies show that children can develop coping behaviors that mask their visual impairments. However, these impairments can persist and worsen without intervention, affecting the child's academic and social development.

The optician, a player in prevention and advice within the family

Often on the front line, opticians are regularly contacted by families , sometimes after a school screening or a complaint expressed by the child himself. At this stage, their role goes beyond simply providing equipment. It involves understanding school practices, questioning the difficulties encountered in class, collaborating with orthoptists and ophthalmologists, and proposing concrete solutions.

Lenses designed for young audiences aren't just corrective tools. They're becoming instruments of comfort, prevention (particularly against blue light), and adaptation. Many manufacturers have developed specific ranges for children and adolescents, designed for growing digital usage, as well as sports activities and tamper-resistant features.

Furthermore, the optician can alert you to signs of uncorrected visual problems : squinting, frequent blinking, avoidance of reading, decreased attention after a few minutes. They can also make parents aware of the importance of regular check-ups, particularly at key ages: 3 years, 6 years, 9 years, etc.

This essential role should not be overlooked: according to a study by OpinionWay for Asnav, 13% of parents report that it was the optician or orthoptist who identified their child's visual problem.

Opticians can also advise on choosing glasses suited to children's specific needs, taking into account their lifestyle and activities. They can educate parents on the importance of regular checkups, particularly before they start primary school, a crucial period for visual development.

Towards a health-education alliance: a dynamic to encourage

Although the link between vision and learning is scientifically established, it remains insufficiently integrated into school health policies . Too few vision screenings are organized in primary schools, and many children fall through the cracks due to a lack of identification or structured support.

However, local initiatives show that collaboration between opticians, orthoptists, teachers, and medical and social workers can produce concrete results. Awareness campaigns, vision assessments in schools, and interventions in medical-psycho-pedagogical centers (CMPP) can help detect vision problems earlier and provide guidance to families.

The optician, as a local professional, has a key role to play in this health-education alliance. They can get involved in local projects, offer in-store screenings, or organize partnerships with schools. This dynamic can also strengthen their advisory role, build family loyalty, and fulfill a public health mission that is still too little visible in the sector. A pilot study conducted in Nanterre revealed that 14% of children aged 4 to 13 needed glasses, and 87% of them did not wear them before screening.

"Seeing well to learn well" isn't just a slogan: it's a necessity. Vision and learning need to be intertwined. At a time when digital usage is exploding and attention disorders are on the rise, visual health is becoming a major educational issue. In this context, opticians have a role to play far beyond selling glasses. As advisors, screening aids, or prevention relays, they contribute to a more comprehensive approach to children's visual well-being. And in doing so, they assert themselves as essential players in the educational and health journeys of younger generations.

Visual health is a key factor in academic success. Eye care professionals, working with education and healthcare stakeholders, have a key role to play in preventing, detecting, and correcting vision problems in children. A proactive and collaborative approach is essential to ensure every child has the best possible chance of success.