Autism and Eyesight Problems

Recent studies and blog posts indicate that 52% of autistic individuals experience some form of vision-related issue, and that 50% of registered blind individuals are on the autism spectrum. These are striking statistics that may help explain a wide range of challenges experienced by autistic people.

When vision is compromised, it becomes even more difficult to “read” others, navigate social situations, and understand social dynamics. Poor eyesight can also affect many aspects of daily life:

  • Exams, homework, and tests are all negatively impacted by reduced vision.

  • Sensory issues may be intensified. For example, what role does poor eyesight play in visual overload? And if vision is limited, do individuals compensate more heavily with hearing or other senses?

Because vision is such an essential part of how we interact with the world, we want to highlight several posts that address the intersection of autism and visual functioning. Please note that the prevalence statistics for autism reported by the CDC vary across these blogs based on the knowledge available when they were written. Today, the CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a 1 in 5 ratio being female. Even these numbers are now being reevaluated as researchers learn more about how autism presents differently in females.

Resources on Autism and Vision

Autism & Vision (covd.org) –
This blog explains that visual problems may be common among autistic individuals. It describes several symptoms and discusses potential treatment options. (more)

Possible Eye Problems Associated with Autism (kardrmasshealthcare.com) –
This post refers to a report by The Autism Society noting that about 1% of the global population has autism, and approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASD. It explores eye-related challenges such as difficulties coordinating peripheral and central vision, eye movement disorders, visual defensiveness or sensitivity (“It may involve having problems maintaining eye contact, leading to frequently moving the eyes and scanning visual information.”), and spatial visual processing problems. (more)

Vision and Autism (optometrists.org) –
This article emphasizes that visual problems can significantly affect the life of a child with autism and often go undiagnosed. (more)

Autism and Eye Contact (autisticandunapologetic.com) –
James Ward-Sinclair, author and site creator, explains that although autism is often considered purely neurological, its impact on vision includes several physical markers such as anisometropia, amblyopia, significant refractive error, and strabismus. (more)

Autism and Vision (minnesotavisiontherapy.com) –
This article emphasizes that eye issues in autistic individuals involve more than 20/20 vision—they concern the effective processing of visual information. Some behavior patterns associated with visual dysfunction include poor eye contact, staring at lights or spinning objects, side viewing, looking through or beyond objects, light sensitivity, atypical reactions to visual stimuli, and general attention difficulties. The blog suggests that vision therapy may offer benefits. (more)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can influence vision and eye health in several ways, which means that visual needs and responses to care may differ from person to person. Ensuring that eye care is accessible, individualized, and sensory-aware is essential to prevent overlooking or misinterpreting vision concerns.

Many autistic individuals do not receive regular eye exams, despite having a higher likelihood of particular vision or eye-movement conditions. Because some people may find it challenging to describe changes in their eyesight, vision issues may instead show up through behaviors such as:

  • Squinting

  • Avoiding bright lights

  • Resisting or discomfort with eye contact

In short, understanding how autism can affect vision helps families, providers, and caregivers recognize early signs, support sensory needs, and ensure that individuals receive the care they deserve.