May 29, 2025
Primitive reflexes are meant to disappear after infancy. When they don’t, they can quietly disrupt a child’s vision, posture, learning, and behavior—especially if no one’s checking for them. At Miami Vision Therapy, we screen for and treat retained primitive reflexes as part of a holistic vision therapy approach. It’s not just about eyesight—it’s about how your child functions in the world.
When retained, they can impair visual skills like tracking, focusing, and eye teaming.
These issues often affect reading, writing, attention, posture, and self-confidence.
At Miami Vision Therapy, reflex screening is part of our functional vision evaluation.
Reflex integration can help unlock a child’s academic and social potential.
Like many optometrists, I first learned about primitive reflexes in passing—a few slides in a pediatric vision lecture. I didn’t think much of it. But post-graduate education, clinical experience, and working with both children and adults changed that. I've seen firsthand how retained reflexes show up in kids with developmental delays, and in adults recovering from brain injury. And I’ve seen how addressing them—rather than overlooking them—can dramatically improve outcomes.
Our bodies don’t work in silos. Vision isn’t isolated from movement, balance, or sensory processing. That’s why a multisensory, whole-body approach to vision therapy is often necessary. Reflexes like the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) can influence how the eyes move, focus, and work together.
Take the ATNR, for example. If it’s retained, a child may struggle with tasks like copying from the board—because turning their head triggers involuntary body movements that interfere with posture and eye alignment. Or the STNR, which can cause poor posture while reading or writing, leading to visual fatigue and inattention. These aren’t just academic issues. They can erode confidence and lead to misdiagnoses, like ADHD or dyslexia.
At our clinic, we’ve seen that integrating these reflexes can be a turning point. Studies even showed that targeted movement therapy reduced reflex retention and improved reading scores in children with dyslexia. The research and real-world outcomes align: these reflexes matter, and treating them works.
During your child’s first visit at Miami Vision Therapy, we take a full developmental and visual history. We evaluate visual tracking, visual memory, directionality, and form recognition using standardized tools like the Developmental Eye Movement test, Gardner Reversals Frequency Test, and TVPS. We also screen for primitive reflexes. If retained reflexes are found, we design a personalized vision therapy plan that includes reflex integration exercises, oculomotor training, and multisensory activities that support brain-body coordination.
Vision therapy isn’t just eye exercises—it’s neuro-rehabilitation. Our therapists use tools like balance boards, metronomes, and coordinated movement games to help build a stronger visual foundation. When these underlying issues are addressed early, children are better equipped to focus, read fluently, and feel confident in school.
Many kids learn to compensate for retained reflexes—until the demands of school or sports push those limits. Early intervention means they don’t have to struggle longer than necessary. And for parents, that means fewer battles over homework, fewer unanswered questions, and more moments of real progress.
If your child has 20/20 eyesight but still struggles with reading, attention, or posture, there may be more going on beneath the surface. At Miami Vision Therapy, we look beyond the eye chart to uncover the hidden links between vision, development, and learning.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Chow, OD, and learn how a custom vision therapy program—designed to address both visual and neurodevelopmental needs—can help your child thrive.
Discover personalized eye care excellence with our comprehensive vision therapy services. Our expert team treats a wide range of vision conditions, including amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), binocular vision disorders, double vision, post-concussion vision syndrome, and more.
For non-urgent questions or to learn more about our services, contact us today!
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