Vision in Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia (Online Course)

What are learning disabilities and dyslexia?

What is the role of vision problems in learning difficulties?

What is the role of an optometrist in the treatment of vision problems experienced by patients with specific learning disabilities and dyslexia?

How can optometrists assist patients with specific learning disabilities and dyslexia?

Is there an evidence basis for treating vision problems in patients with specific learning disabilities and dyslexia?

This course applies a modern evidence-based aspect to these questions and provides practical clinical tools that optometrists can use to help their patients with learning problems.

3 ECTS academic credit option available.

Watch a short introductory video

Topics Covered

• Binocular vision and accommodation testing for children with profound or specific learning difficulties (MEM retinoscopy, cover test masterclass, fusional reserves, VT)
• Role and management of binocular vision and accommodation anomalies in learning difficulties
• Clinical tools for a conservative approach to investigating the effect of colored filters
• Evidence-based approach in clinical practice
• Etiology of dyslexia and other learning difficulties
• Pursuit and saccadic eye movements and learning
• Visual perceptual skills and memory skills in learning difficulties
• Why are visual stress and the use of colored filters still controversial?

Course Instructors

Main Instructor - Professor Bruce Evans

Prof. Evans is the Director of Research at the Institute of Optometry and visiting professor at City University and London South Bank University.
His main areas of research are children’s vision, dyslexia, orthoptics, contact lenses, and headaches including migraine.
He has authored over 240 scientific and professional papers, five editions of books on binocular vision and two on dyslexia and vision, and has given more than 250 invited lectures.

Guest lecturer - Dr. Tamar Malinovitch

Dr. Tamar Malinovitch is a learning disabilities specialist, working at the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation as a researcher and an accommodations specialist. She completed a Bachelor’s in cognitive neuroscience, MA in learning disabilities, and PhD in cognitive sciences focusing on working memory and dyslexia (all from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem).
Dr. Malinovitch will be guest lecturing on "All about dyslexia: a psychological and educational overview"

Guest lecturer - Dr. Margaret Woodhouse

Dr. J. Margaret Woodhouse is a senior lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK, teaching Binocular Vision and Special Needs, Pediatric Eye Care and Advanced Pediatric Eye Care, and Eye Care for People with Learning Disabilities. Dr. Woodhouse’s main interests are visual development in children with Down syndrome and the eye care needs of children and adults with disabilities.
She designed the Cardiff Acuity Test, Cardiff Contrast Test, and Cardiff Near Test and continues long-term research of visual and cognitive development in infants and young children with Down's Syndrome, who are at particular risk of eye defects. Other interests are the etiology of refractive and accommodative defects and the impact of visual impairment on a child's development and education.

Dr. Woodhouse will be guest lecturing on "Down syndrome: an overview emphasizing optometric correlates" and " Global learning disability other than Down syndrome"

Prof. Arnold Wilkins

Arnold Wilkins is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and an Honorary Fellow of the College of Optometrists. His postdoctoral study was undertaken at the Montreal Neurological Institute where he became interested in photosensitive epilepsy. He then spent 22 years at the Medical Research Council Applied Psychology Unit in Cambridge studying light sensitivity as it occurs not only in epilepsy, but migraine and dyslexia. In 1997 he moved to a chair at the University of Essex, where he is now Emeritus. He has authored four books and his scientific publications are listed here:
www.visualstress.info/Wilkins_publications

Prof. Wilkins will be guest lecturing on " Why is vision sometimes uncomfortable and visual aspects of text design" and " Coloured filters and reading difficulties: controversy, evidence, mechanism"

Course Structure

3 concentrated days of online studies on Zoom - January 2nd, January 9th, and January 16th 2024.

*All lectures are recorded to facilitate flexible study and will be available for review for a two-year period.

Course Requirements and Assessments

• Short quizzes to check understanding after every lecture
• Final exam for those wanting academic credit

Cost of registration: 350$ (1,420 NIS).
Please note: All prices are in New Israeli Shekels (NIS).

Click here to register for the course

For registration assistance, please contact:  international@jmc.ac.il

For more information
Please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Liat Gantz
Department Chairperson: Dr. Hadas Ben Eli