Behavioural Optometry

Behavioural Optometry

Behavioural Optometry

Behavioural Optometry

80% of what a child learns is through vision—but did you know that 1 in 5 children have an undetected vision problem that affects their ability to learn?

Vision is complex!

  • A child who sees “20/20” can have a vision problem.
  • A child who passes a basic screening can still have a vision problem.
  • A child who does not complain can also have a vision problem.

According to the American Association of Optometry, school vision screening was found to miss 73% of visual problems in children! This means that while parents and teachers are thinking everything is fine, the child with undetected visual issues continues to suffer silently year after year.

What is Behavioural Optometry?

Behavioural Optometry is a subset of optometry which focuses on your vision in relation to your visual demands (what your eyes need to do) to help ensure your vision is working as comfortably and freely as possible. Just because you have clear vision doesn’t mean you interpret what you see efficiently. Read more about what exactly Behavioural Optometry is here.

Signs and Symptoms Your Child May Have a Vision Problem Include…

  • Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
  • Covering one eye
  • Short attention span, easily distracted, poor concentration
  • Avoiding activities like ball game
  • Difficulty remembering what was just being read
  • Frequent headaches
  • Tilting head to one side
  • Avoiding reading and other near activities
  • Losing place when reading
  • An eye turning in or out
  • Seeing double

Signs and Symptoms Your Child May Have a Vision Problem Include…

  • Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
  • Covering one eye
  • Short attention span, easily distracted, poor concentration
  • Avoiding activities like ball game
  • Difficulty remembering what was just being read
  • Frequent headaches
  • Tilting head to one side
  • Avoiding reading and other near activities
  • Losing place when reading
  • An eye turning in or out
  • Seeing double

Why Should Parents Be Concerned?

Behavioural Optometry banner

Children are often unaware of symptoms or unable to explain them. This may cause frustration in the child, the parent and the teacher, thinking the child is “just being difficult,” not knowing there is an underlying problem with the visual system that makes learning hard for the child despite their best efforts.

A child who lacks in visual skills may have problems reading and writing. A child who is unable to “see to learn” may begin to fall behind in class, avoid schoolwork or even respond by misbehaving.

“Easily distracted” and “poor concentration” are symptoms of a visual problem, owing to the great deal of effort it takes for a child to maintain visual focus at school. These can be carried well into adulthood.

It is critical to pick up vision problems early to ensure that appropriate treatment is given before they cause serious setbacks in your child’s performance at school and later on in life.

Why Should Parents Be Concerned?

Behavioural Optometry banner

Children are often unaware of symptoms or unable to explain them. This may cause frustration in the child, the parent and the teacher, thinking the child is “just being difficult,” not knowing there is an underlying problem with the visual system that makes learning hard for the child despite their best efforts.

A child who lacks in visual skills may have problems reading and writing. A child who is unable to “see to learn” may begin to fall behind in class, avoid schoolwork or even respond by misbehaving.

“Easily distracted” and “poor concentration” are symptoms of a visual problem, owing to the great deal of effort it takes for a child to maintain visual focus at school. These can be carried well into adulthood.

It is critical to pick up vision problems early to ensure that appropriate treatment is given before they cause serious setbacks in your child’s performance at school and later on in life.

How Can We Help?

Icon of a male child wearing an ophthalmic trial frame to test for a suitable lens for their refractive error

Vision Beyond the Eyeball

Our behavioural optometrists have a special interest in vision beyond the eyeball. We don’t only assess for clarity of vision, but also functional visual skills such as eye tracking, eye focusing, eye teaming, and visual information processing.

Icon of a zoomed-in eye, as if from the optometrist's point of view

Visual Processing Assessment

We assess how their eyes and brain process visual information and use it to measure how this processing affects your child’s performance and behaviour.

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Ensure Child Keeps Up with Visual Demands

We take a holistic approach to ensure that your child has the strength and stamina to keep up with all the visual demands placed on them.

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Improve All Aspects of Visual Performance

Our behavioural optometrist will not only consider the treatment of any eyesight difficulties but also the benefits of prevention, protection and enhancement of your child’s visual system in order to improve all aspects of their visual performance.

Let our behavioural optometrist check your child’s eyes today.

Danny the dragon

Let our behavioural optometrist check your child’s eyes today.