Learning Disabilities May Be Rooted In Your Eyes

Posted by Eye Doctors of Washington in General Eye Care

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have suggested that individuals who struggle with math, handwriting, and motor skills may have eye cells that don’t work properly. The magno cells of the eye “respond to rapid movements, transmitting signals from the eye to the brain.” If there is a problem with the magno cells, the researchers say, then the eye cells may be the cause of the person’s difficulties, not his or her brain. The study showed that children who have difficulties with math have low visual perception, and those who excel in Math have excellent visual perception. Our eyes process information from our environment through these magno cells. If something small goes wrong with them, it may have significant consequences that result in learning disabilities.