Could Your Child's Struggles in School Be a Vision Problem No One Has Checked For?
Vancouver, Canada - May 21, 2026 / Gastown Optometry /
VANCOUVER, BC, May 14, 2026 — Gastown Optometry, a full-service optometry practice in Vancouver's Gastown district, is urging parents to have their children screened for binocular vision dysfunction after research indicates that approximately 25% of children experience some form of binocular vision disorder — often without any visible signs. Dr. Errin Bligh, OD, lead optometrist and Past President of the BC Doctors of Optometry, warns that these conditions frequently go undetected because standard school vision screenings do not test how well a child's eyes work together.
A Hidden Condition Affecting One in Four Children
Unlike more commonly known conditions such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, binocular vision dysfunction occurs when the eyes fail to coordinate properly — causing symptoms such as double vision, headaches, eye strain, difficulty focusing, and loss of place while reading. Research published in clinical optometry journals estimates that up to 25% of children experience some form of binocular vision disorder, yet many go undiagnosed because the symptoms overlap with behavioral and learning issues. A study published in the Journal of AAPOS found that children with vision disorders are more than twice as likely as the general population to receive an ADHD diagnosis — suggesting that some children being treated for attention difficulties may in fact have an undetected visual coordination problem.
"Children with binocular vision dysfunction don't know that what they see is abnormal — they assume everyone struggles the same way," said Dr. Errin Bligh, OD, lead optometrist at Gastown Optometry. "A child who loses their place while reading, avoids close-up work, or complains of headaches after school may not have a learning disability or attention problem. They may simply have eyes that aren't working together. The only way to identify this is through a comprehensive eye exam that specifically tests binocular vision — something a standard school screening does not do."
Comprehensive Screening Now Available for Families
Gastown Optometry has seen a growing number of referrals from parents, educators, and pediatricians seeking binocular vision disorder assessments for children who are struggling academically or showing signs of visual discomfort. Dr. Bligh's practice offers comprehensive binocular vision evaluations that assess eye teaming, convergence, divergence, and accommodative function — tests that go beyond what is measured in a standard visual acuity screening. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye exam before starting school and annual exams from age six onward, with specific attention to how well the eyes coordinate during near-work tasks.
"The research is clear — binocular vision dysfunction is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in pediatric eye care," said Dr. Bligh. "When we identify and treat these conditions early, the improvements are often dramatic. Children who were struggling to read or complete homework suddenly find that those tasks become manageable. Parents tell us it's like a switch has been flipped. That is why I am so passionate about making sure every child gets a proper binocular vision assessment — not just a letter chart test."
Gastown Optometry offers comprehensive binocular vision dysfunction and binocular vision disorder assessments for children and adults at their Gastown clinic. Appointments can be booked online at gastownoptometry.com or by calling (604) 974-8008.
About Gastown Optometry
Gastown Optometry is a full-service optometry practice located at 315 W Cordova St in Vancouver's historic Gastown district. The clinic is led by Dr. Errin Bligh, OD, class valedictorian from the University of Waterloo's Doctor of Optometry program and Past President of the BC Doctors of Optometry. Dr. Bligh brings award-winning expertise in pediatric eye care, with additional training through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity and an appointment as Adjunct Faculty at the UBC School of Nursing. Gastown Optometry provides comprehensive services including adult and children's eye exams, binocular vision dysfunction assessment, binocular vision disorder evaluation, specialty contact lens fittings, laser surgery co-management, and medical management of chronic eye conditions. For more information, visit gastownoptometry.com.
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Media Contact:
Gastown Optometry
Phone: (604) 974-8008
Fax: (604) 873-2263
Email: info@gastownoptometry.com
Website: gastownoptometry.com
Address: 315 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC
Contact Information:
Gastown Optometry
315 W Cordova St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1E5
Canada
Errin Bligh
+1 604-305-3104
https://gastownoptometry.com/
