ADHD and anxiety are often discussed as purely neurological or psychological conditions — but vision can play a powerful and frequently missed role.

In this episode, we break down how functional vision problems can create symptoms that look like inattention, restlessness, avoidance, and anxiety. From eye teaming and tracking issues to binocular vision dysfunction, you’ll learn why visual inefficiency places extra strain on the brain and how that strain can show up behaviorally and emotionally.

If you or your child struggle with focus, reading, or visual overwhelm — even with “perfect” eyesight — this episode offers a new lens to consider.

In This Episode, We Cover

1. Why passing a vision screening does not rule out vision problems
2. How visual inefficiency can look like ADHD
3. Common vision conditions that affect attention and learning
4. The connection between vision problems and anxiety
5. Why misdiagnosis happens so often
6. What kind of eye exam to ask for
7. Practical next steps for parents and adults

(00:04) Intro
(00:35) Vision, Behavior & Mental Health
(00:57) Are These Symptoms Really Neurological?
(01:14) When the Brain Works Too Hard to See
(01:34) What This Episode Will Cover
(01:54) The Vision Screening Misconception
(02:14) 20/20 Eyesight vs Functional Vision
(02:45) When Vision Problems Look Behavioral
(03:00) ADHD-Like Symptoms Explained
(03:21) Visual Fatigue vs Poor Attention
(04:12) Why Kids Can’t Explain Vision Struggles
(04:26) Convergence Insufficiency
(05:04) Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)
(05:57) Eye Tracking & Oculomotor Dysfunction
(06:25) The Vision–Anxiety Connection
(07:16) What Anxiety Looks Like in Children
(07:43) Why Misdiagnosis Happens
(08:24) Vision as Part of the Diagnostic Process
(08:45) What Kind of Eye Exam to Ask For
(09:07) Finding a Functional Vision Specialist
(09:30) Vision Care as a Complement
(10:18) Vision Therapy at Home Options
(10:49) Advocating for Yourself or Your Child
(11:06) Final Takeaway
(11:35) Closing & Next Steps

Helpful Resources & References

Diagnosis & Next Steps

1. 4D Vision Therapy at Home— Digital Vision Therapy programs for children and adults https://www.4dvisiontherapyathome.com/
2. OVDRA — The Optometrists in Visual Development and Rehabilitation Association https://www.ovdra.org/
3. Vision Specialists — Is It ADHD or a Vision Problem?
4. https://vision-specialists.com/adhd-symptoms-and-treatment-is-it-adhd-or-is-it-your-eyes/

ADHD & Vision

1. ADDitude Magazine — ADHD and Vision Problems
2. https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-and-vision-problems-understanding-symptoms/
3. Clarendon Vision — How Are ADHD and Vision Problems Related?
4. https://www.clarendonvision.com/our-blog/how-are-adhd-and-vision-problems-related.html
5. Cook Vision Therapy — ADHD and Vision: How Eye Problems Affect Attention
6. https://www.cookvisiontherapy.com/adhd-and-vision-how-eye-problems-affect-attention/

Binocular Vision & Attention

1. Dizziness & Headache — Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction Is Often Mistaken for ADHD

Many homeschooling parents face the same question: Why is my child struggling to read—even though they’re bright, motivated, and getting plenty of practice?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brandon Walley, a behavioral optometrist and homeschooling dad who has combined his clinical expertise and personal experience to create a digital, at-home vision therapy program specifically for homeschool families. He shares how visual development impacts reading, what signs parents should look for, and how a vision-based approach can unlock new levels of learning confidence.

Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, educator, or healthcare provider, this conversation sheds light on the often-overlooked visual skills behind reading and learning success.

Key Takeaways

• Struggles with reading aren’t always about phonics or attention—sometimes, they’re rooted in how the brain processes visual information.
• Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to observe and address visual learning challenges early.
• At-home vision therapy programs can make evidence-based interventions more accessible to families everywhere.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Dr. Walley’s program, Vision Foundations for Learning, here: https://launch-4d.mn.co/
• Explore vision therapy resources from the It Could Be Your Eyes team: 4dvisiontherapyathome.com
• Follow Dr. Walley and his team at colliervision.com

In this episode, we explore how vision training and vision therapy intersect with brain health, particularly in high-impact sports like football and cheerleading. We dig into concussion statistics, the emerging technologies for monitoring head impacts, and how targeted visual training might play a role in both preventing and recovering from concussions. We also bring in expert voices and share real-world athlete stories to make it concrete and actionable for coaches, parents, trainers, and athletes alike.

Football concussion stats:

1. Tackling causes nearly 2 out of 3 concussions in high school football; running plays cause ~half of concussions; linebackers and running backs are particularly vulnerable CDC.

Cheerleading concussion stats:

1. Cheer takes a bigger hit than you might expect: in one study, cheerleading surpassed football in concussion risk rates Concussion Alliance.
2. Nearly 96% of concussions in cheerleading are stunt-related, especially among bases (contact from another athlete) and flyers (contact with ground) Concussion AllianceHEADCHECK Health.
3. From 2001–2012, cheerleading-related concussion/closed head injury rates soared by 290% among children aged 5–18 The Sport Journal.
4. In a Miami-Dade County study (2015–2019), cheerleaders with concussions were held out an average of 26 days, and 38% had prolonged recoveries (>28 days) The Sport Journal.

Check out our Digital Programs

• 4D Built for Life
• Start your FREE TRIAL today 4D Built to Read Digital Program
• Concussion Recovery
• Built to Drive

Follow us at 4D Vision Gym on Facebook and Instagram @4dvisiongymvt for the latest news and updates. DM us if you have any Vision Therapy related questions - you may hear the answer in a future episode!

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