Oculomotor-related measures but not distance visual acuity are predictive of reading ability in first graders

Abstract

1Some estimates suggest that one in seven good readers and the majority of children with reading difficulties suffer from oculomotor dysfunction (OMD), an umbrella term for abnormalities in comfortable and accurate fixations, pursuits and saccades. However, national vision evaluation programs worldwide are often limited to distance visual acuity (dVA), not testing for OMD despite its high prevalence and the ease to detect it in brief optometric evaluations. We hypothesized that reading acquisition is dependent on good oculomotor functions and therefore inadequate oculomotor control will be associated with reading difficulties. We retrospectively examined and compared oculomotor evaluations and reading assessments (using standardized national reading norms) of a normative class (28 first graders (6-7 yr. olds)) that were independently obtained while blind to the other assessment. Almost a third (29.6%) were categorized as having OMD-related difficulties; better oculomotor performance was predictive of better reading performance. Control analysis revealed dVA was not positively associated with reading performance. Linear regression analyses further corroborated these findings. While this study is based on a small cohort and replications are needed, our results indicate that oculomotor functions are associated with reading acquisition and suggest that young children struggling with reading should be referred to a comprehensive visual evaluation including oculomotor assessments. This may allow providing treatments for learning-related visual issues.