Group of girls reading books on tree stumps outdoors—while most are smiling, one girl holds her head in discomfort, showing signs of a headache and reading struggle, possibly due to undiagnosed vision issues

When Reading Feels Like a Struggle, Could It Be Her Vision?

Author: Hayley Martin 

 

What Every Parent Should Know When Their Child “Just Doesn’t Like Reading”

At Once Upon a Charm, we believe every child holds a storybook world inside of them. Just waiting to be read, written, and imagined into being. But what happens when reading isn’t magical at all? When the words wiggle, the letters blur, or the pages seem more frustrating than fun?

If you’ve been told that your child is “behind in reading,” “can’t sit still,” or “should be evaluated for ADHD, take a deep breath.  It is possible that the root of her struggle isn’t behavior or motivation, but her vision.

Let’s wander gently into this often-overlooked part of a child’s reading journey, and why undiagnosed vision issues might be the hidden dragon guarding the gate to her magical world of words.

Young girl doing homework outdoors using a tree stump as a desk—she looks frustrated and unhappy, struggling to focus due to undiagnosed vision problems affecting her ability to read and complete assignments.

The Overlooked Link Between Vision and Reading Difficulties

When a child struggles to read, many people jump to conclusions. Maybe she’s not trying hard enough, maybe it’s a learning disability, or maybe she just doesn’t enjoy books. Teachers might suggest testing for ADHD, and parents are left spinning in a fog of worry and what-ifs.

But the surprising truth is that a child can pass a school vision screening and still have serious vision problems that make reading nearly impossible.

That’s because school screenings typically only check for distance vision, like whether your child can read the letters on the chart across the room. But most reading happens up close. And for that, children need more than just 20/20 eyesight.

They need visual skills.

Visual Skills: The Secret Ingredients Behind Reading Success

Reading is a symphony of visual coordination. A child must:

  • Track lines of text smoothly without jumping or losing their place
  • Focus their eyes for long periods at close distances
  • Shift focus from near to far (like from a worksheet to the whiteboard)
  • Use both eyes together as a team
  • Visually process and decode what they see

If even one of these visual skills isn’t working properly, reading can feel like trying to catch fireflies in a thunderstorm, confusing, tiring, and ultimately discouraging.

 

Signs Your Child’s Struggle Might Be Vision-Related

If you’ve heard phrases like, “She’s smart, but she just can’t read,” or “He gets frustrated and gives up,” or “She seems distracted all the time,” it might be time to look beyond behavior.

Here are some signs that your child’s reading challenges could be related to vision:

  • Skips lines or loses place while reading
  • Complains of tired eyes or headaches
  • Rubs eyes or blinks excessively while reading
  • Tilts head or closes one eye to see better
  • Says words are blurry or moving
  • Avoids reading or says they “hate” it
  • Reads below grade level despite strong verbal skills
  • Gets distracted or fidgety during near work (like homework)

Many of these behaviors are mistaken for lack of focus, or even ADHD. But what if her magical mind is working just fine, and it’s her eyes that are quietly calling for help?

wo girls reading outdoors—one reads comfortably while the other holds her book inches from her face, a sign she may be struggling with undiagnosed vision problems like myopia or focusing difficulties

“But She Passed Her Vision Test…”

It’s one of the most common things we hear from parents, “But she passed her school vision screening.”

Unfortunately, these screenings are not comprehensive eye exams. They don’t test the essential near-vision skills needed for reading, writing, and classroom learning.

That’s why the American Optometric Association recommends that children receive a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor no later than age 3, particularly if they’re struggling in school or showing signs of reading difficulty. 

That said, the AOA also urges parents to start yearly vision testing between the ages of 6 months and one year.  In fact, early vision testing is so critical that the American Optometric Foundation created a program called InfantSee that is designed to provide a free infant eye exam to all babies between the ages of 6 months and one year.

 

A Hidden Story in Her Eyes

We once heard a mother describe her daughter’s experience like this.

“She was getting in trouble at school and couldn’t focus. I thought something was wrong with her. But then we had a full eye exam and found out she had convergence insufficiency, her eyes weren’t working together when she looked at words on a page. With the right glasses and vision therapy, everything changed.”

It’s not uncommon.

There are many types of treatable vision conditions, like amblyopia, strabismus, or accommodative dysfunction, that can make reading feel like a chore instead of a joy. But when caught early, they can be gently corrected. And in many cases, the sparkle returns not just to their reading, but to their whole world.

Young girl reading outdoors, rubbing her eyes in frustration—struggling to focus due to undiagnosed vision problems that make reading difficult even in natural light.

What You Can Do

Trust your instincts. If you feel something’s off, you’re probably right.

  • Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with a pediatric optometrist or ophthalmologist, look for one who understands developmental vision.
  • Share what you’ve noticed. Teachers and doctors often rely on parents to tell the full story.
  • Don’t settle for “She’ll grow out of it.” Many vision issues only become more frustrating over time. Early support makes all the difference.

 

Glasses That Feel Like Magic

If your child does need glasses, let that moment be filled with wonder, not worry. At Once Upon a Charm, we design girls’ glasses that are as lovely and light as the little dreamers who wear them.  Our frames make her feel seen, supported, and sparkling with confidence.

And with our hand-painted interchangeable charms, every pair becomes a personal fairytale, reminding her that she is not broken or behind, just beautifully beginning.

 

The Reading Journey Deserves a Gentle Start

The truth is, many children who seem “behind” in reading are simply battling invisible barriers. Their stories haven’t stalled, they’re just waiting for the right key to unlock the next chapter.

So, if reading has become a struggle, don’t lose heart. Look a little closer. It might not be a learning issue, but a vision one.

And once her eyes can see clearly, her whole world, and all its magical words, will come into focus.

Stack of enchanted-looking children’s books glowing with wonder—reading a captivating story is a joy every child deserves, but vision problems can make that experience difficult or out of reach.

Keep Exploring

Would you like to learn more about kids’ vision challenges and how to support your child’s eyesight? Explore more articles in our Once Upon a Diagnosis section, where we gently explain everything from how to read a glasses prescription to signs your child may need their first pair of frames.

 

Let the Magic Begin

And when you're ready to choose a magical frame for her, we'll be right here, tucked in our little corner of the internet, ready to help her see the world with wonder.

Explore our collection of children’s glasses lovingly designed for reading, learning, and growing

Discover the charm of our whimsical, hand-painted charms 

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