Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses to stimuli that helps infants grow and develop safely in their world outside of the womb.  These responses are developed in the central nervous system to protect the infant, and as the child develops, these reflexes are designed to become integrated when the frontal lobes of the brain develops.  Not every child integrates these reflexes and sometimes they are retained, which could interfere with learning and their visual system.  Often children with sensory/motor troubles have at least one positive reflex so it is worth having these reflexes evaluated and remediated through exercises.
Below are some of the common symptoms associated with retained primitive reflexes that can interfere with visual function: Moro
  • exaggerated startle response
  • poor balance
  • motion sickness
  • hyperactivity
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
  • difficulty crossing midline
  • poor handwriting
  • difficulty copying from board
  • ADD/ADHD characteristics
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
  • poor posture
  • poor eye-hand coordination
  • poor swimming skills
  • “W” position while sitting
Tonic Labyrinthe Reflex (TLR)
  • toe walking
  • poor coordination
  • poor organization skills
  • stiff/jerky movements
Spinal Galant Reflex (SG)
  • fidgety while sitting
  • poor concentration
  • bed wetting
  • poor short-term memory
These primitive reflexes are related to difficulties in movement. How is this related to vision? For those who are not visually impaired or have cortical visual impairment, vision is a dominant sense that guides meaningful movement. Vision also integrates with many other motor and/or sensory systems to help orchestrate movement in day to day life. For example, Dr. Ho was working with an adult patient to facilitate independent eye-head-neck movement since it was interfering with her ability to drive. The patient’s retained ATNR made it difficult for her to maintain a straight wheel while turning her head. The picture is an example of ATNR. Integrated reflexes may be reactivated later in life by injury, trauma, and illness. For a more extensive article about Vision and Primitive Reflexes, please check out the following article from Optometric Education Program Extension (OEPF):

Viewpoint: Correcting Clinical Facts- Abnormal Primitive Reflexes in Behavioural Optometry and Vision Therapy

— Amy Hoffman, Vision Therapist