Vision is our primary and most sophisticated sense. It is responsible for 80% of the information we take in so it is vitally important that vision disorders are diagnosed early in life.

What to Watch For

Unlike adults children will not generally volunteer difficulty with their vision, they have nothing to compare their vision to. That’s why it is vitally important that parents and caretakers pay particular attention to children’s behaviour, general development and signs of unusual looking eyes to ensure that early detection of a vision disorder can be made. Below is a short list of important observations.

• One eye points in a different direction to the other

• Eyes are red or watery

• Light sensitivity

• Frequent eye rubbing or blinking

• Eye squinting

• Odd head posture when fixation on something (e.g TV, book, computer)

• Shutting one eye

• Creeping closer to TV, books or computer

• Complaints about headaches or sore eyes

• Clumsiness or poor motor control

• Speech delays

• Delays achieving developmental milestones

Children’s Vision is What We Do

Our optometrists have a wealth of experience with children and child related vision disorders. They have a gentle and caring nature and enjoy the challenge of engaging with children. They say half the battle is getting children to participate and to enjoy the clinical experience; this allows them to confidently assess a child’s visual abilities. We are frequently the optometry providers of choice for our local maternal and child health nurses.

Behavioural Optometry: Visual Information Processing Tests and Vision Therapy

What is behavioural optometry and a Vision Information Processing test?

Behavioural optometry looks at the way that vision is linked to learning and development. As well as checking your vision and health of your eyes, we also offer Vision Information Processing (VIP) Assessments which analyse the way that information is processed by the brain. This is particularly recommended for children who may exhibit:

• Reading or writing difficulties at school
• Reversals
• Trouble following words on the page, including skipping words
• Poor concentration
• Struggle with processing visual information

Our optometrist, who is part of the Australian College of Behavioural Optometry (ACBO), aims to identify a child’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses that may be affecting academic performance.  The areas which are addressed include:

• Eye movements
• Visual motor integration
• Visual spatial skills
• Visual analysis skills

Your child’s results will be compared against the age-appropriate expected levels, and from this we can make recommendations which may include a program of vision therapy that will target any deficient areas found.

What is vision therapy?

Vision therapy involves challenging and fun activities which will improve the way information is processed.

Vision therapy is used to:

• Treat problems such as lazy eye, eye alignment, eye co-ordination, poorly sustained near focus, poor hand-eye co-ordination and lower than expected visual thinking and understanding
• Enhance the efficiency and comfort of your vision
• Help to prevent some visual problems

After receiving vision therapy treatment, patients find that their vision performance should improve overall – depending on the initial problem, this can improve performance in the classroom or their sporting abilities. Vision Therapy will make it easier to learn visually but you may still need to catch up on areas that are falling behind academically.

Each program of vision therapy must be designed to suit the specific needs of the person. These activities will be completed at the Optometrists’ practice, as well as exercises at home and daily practice is essential for best results. The frequency of appointments, and duration of the course of vision therapy with vary depending on the nature of the problem being treated and the specific needs of the patient.

What glasses are suitable for children?

Getting the perfect glasses fit is essential for children. Our optical dispensers will recommend frames where the nose bridge supports the frame, the correct eye size (not too big and not too small to allow for growth!) and also will consider your child’s prescription. Some particular types of prescriptions such as higher powers, multifocals or myopia control lenses require particular types of glasses frames. We have removable straps, removable nose bridge supports and ear locks which can help to keep glasses snug for active kids.

In particular, we stock the following:

• Tomato glasses made from kids age 1 – 5 years old- the glasses arms grow as your child grows
• Nanovista glasses with indestructible flexible hinges
• Nike and Coast glasses with an unlimited warranty for 2 years

Call us on 9436 0404 to make a children’s vision appointment or book one online.