How Is Dyscalculia Diagnosed? Understanding Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction Is Often the Real Root Cause

For many families, teachers, and healthcare providers, persistent struggles in math raise a pressing question: How is Dyscalculia diagnosed? Dyscalculia—sometimes called “math dyslexia”—is a neurological learning difficulty that affects number sense, sequencing, and mathematical reasoning. While Dyscalculia is real and can significantly impact learning, it is also one of the most commonly misdiagnosed learning challenges for a surprising reason:

➡️ The symptoms of Dyscalculia are nearly identical to those of Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)—a visual condition that is not evaluated during a Dyscalculia assessment and BVD Is over 4 TIMES more Common than Dyscalculia.

At the Visual Processing Institute—with clinics serving Newport Beach, Torrance/South Bay, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes, West LA, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Bel Air, and Culver City—we help families uncover the real cause of learning struggles so children and adults can finally get the right treatment.

What Is Dyscalculia and How Is It Diagnosed?

A Dyscalculia evaluation typically includes:

• Cognitive testing

• Working memory and sequencing assessments

• Number sense, math fluency, and quantitative reasoning tasks

• Standardized math achievement measures

These tests measure how the brain processes numerical information. However, there is one major flaw:

Dyscalculia tests never check for double vision or binocular vision problems.

This means that a child or adult who sees double, experiences image overlap, or has poor visual alignment will almost certainly perform poorly on math tests—regardless of whether they actually have Dyscalculia.

Why Dyscalculia Is Misdiagnosed So Often

1. BVD Is over 4 TIMES more Common Than Dyscalculia

While Dyscalculia affects an estimated 5–7% of the population, Binocular Vision Dysfunction affects more than 30%.That means BVD is over 4 times more common, yet rarely screened for.

2. BVD Goes Undiagnosed in Over 90% of Patients Who Have It

Because most eye exams don’t test for it—and Dyscalculia evaluations ignore vision entirely—people with BVD are usually misclassified as having learning disorders, attention problems, or cognitive difficulties.

3. Double Vision Guarantees Failure on a Dyscalculia Test

Imagine trying to:

• line up columns of numbers

• distinguish a 3 from an 8

• track place value

• visually scan math problems

• copy equations from a board

…all while seeing two sets of everything or while your eyes constantly fight to stay aligned.

A person with double vision or BVD can struggle with:

• reversed numbers

• place-value errors

• scrambled equations

• difficulty seeing math steps in sequence

• skipping or misreading symbols

These symptoms mimic Dyscalculia perfectly.

➡️ Anyone with double vision would fail a Dyscalculia test—even if they do not have Dyscalculia.

This is why Dyscalculia is so frequently misdiagnosed.

What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction occurs when the eyes do not work together as a coordinated team. Instead of producing a single, stable image, the eyes are slightly misaligned—leading to:

• double vision

• headaches

• visual fatigue

• poor depth perception

• difficulty reading or computing

• trouble copying from board to paper

• losing place when scanning numbers

These symptoms overlap significantly with Dyscalculia, ADHD, and general learning difficulties.

Signs You Might Be Seeing Dyscalculia Symptoms—but Actually Have BVD

If you or your child has been screened for Dyscalculia or struggles in math, watch for these indicators of BVD:

Vision-Based Symptoms:

• Double vision or shadowed numbers

• Words/numbers “moving” on the page

• Trouble copying math problems

• Losing place frequently

• Skipping lines or columns

Learning & Performance Symptoms:

• Avoiding math

• Frequent errors in simple calculations

• Difficulty with visual sequencing

• Slow written work

• “Careless mistakes” that don’t match actual ability

Physical Symptoms:

• Eye strain

• Headaches during homework

• Neck tension

• Fatigue after short periods of reading or math

If several of these signs are present, a vision evaluation should come before a Dyscalculia evaluation.

Why You Should Never Get a Dyscalculia Diagnosis Before a BVD Evaluation

Because BVD is:

• undiagnosed in 90%+ of sufferers

• not evaluated in Dyscalculia testing

• responsible for identical symptoms

…evaluating vision first is essential.

In fact, once BVD is treated, many patients previously labeled as Dyscalculic:

• improve number sense

• read and align columns correctly

• compute faster

• no longer reverse numbers

• demonstrate their true math ability

Treating the visual problem often resolves the “math disorder.”

How We Diagnose BVD at the Visual Processing Institute

Our clinics offer California’s most advanced developmental vision assessments, combining:

• high-definition eye-tracking

• vergence & alignment testing

• depth perception measurement

• suppression analysis

• functional visual performance testing

• computerized binocular imaging assessments

This level of testing is not available in standard eye exams, Dyscalculia evaluations, schools, or general optometry clinics.

How We Treat BVD: The Most Advanced & Affordable Vision Therapy in California

The Visual Processing Institute is:

✔ The largest vision therapy provider in California

✔ The most technologically advanced clinics—with AI-enhanced training systems

✔ The lowest-priced: as low as $123.33 per session

✔ The fastest graduation times

We offer personally tailored treatment programs that resolve visual misalignment, improve depth perception, and restore accurate single vision—often eliminating “Dyscalculia symptoms.”

When to Seek Help

If you or your child has been:

• struggling in math

• evaluated for Dyscalculia

• diagnosed with Dyscalculia

• labeled as “careless” or “slow”

• exhausted or frustrated by math work

…it is crucial to rule out BVD first.

This single step can prevent years of incorrect diagnoses, unnecessary tutoring, and lost confidence.

Get the Right Diagnosis—Before the Wrong One

At the Visual Processing Institute, we help patients uncover the true reason they struggle—and finally get the care they need.

Schedule a developmental vision exam today.