What is Behavioural Optometry?
By Lucy Bailey, Optometrist (Yarraville and Geelong)
What is Behavioural Optometry?
Behavioural Optometry is an extended area of optometry which uses an holistic approach to assess how a child processes and interprets visual information. It also detects common eye problems that may accompany or contribute to learning difficulties or behavioural patterns. In discussing Behavioural Optometry, we need to know the difference between assessing eyesight and vision.
Eyesight refers to how the structure and pathology of the eyes affect clarity of images formed at the back of our eyes. Our visual acuity is tested both from a distance (6 metres) as well as near. 6/6 vision is a measure of normal eyesight.
We go beyond looking at eyesight and assess Vision.
“If you have normal eyesight, it does not guarantee you have good vision.”
Our eyes have to perform many different and challenging tasks in our daily lives. Vision refers to what our eyes and brain make out of our surroundings and this is dependent on many things aside from eyesight.
Binocular vision refers to how our eyes work as a team to make sure we see clearly and comfortably in all conditions. This is why we can have poor vision even though we may have normal eyesight. It is possible for people with normal eyesight to have blurred vision or to suffer from headaches.
Different reading tasks require our eyes to work together in different ways. For example, when our eyes turn in to see up closer at a book or computer this is called CONVERGENCE. Looking from books to the board at school requires our eyes to change focus quickly from one place to another and is called ACCOMMODATION.
If the eye teaming or eye focussing is not functioning properly they can affect concentration and visual comfort. Things may appear as:
The child may not even realise that this is not normal vision and may become frustrated and avoid reading and learning. It becomes easy to understand how a child with vision problems such as these can experience a learning delay that is not related to intelligence. Vision related learning problems affect 1 out of 4 children and many have nothing to do with the ability to see 6/6 (or 20/20) on a vision chart.
Visual processing or understanding of visual concepts are also looked at.
What happens during our Behavioural Optometry test?
Our child friendly approach and equipment ensure you and your child’s visit is pleasant and stress free. Our patients actually tend to have a lot of fun!
We perform a comprehensive assessment of your child’s individual visual abilities and needs. This includes:
Assessing the ability of the eyes to work together, as well as watching for the accuracy of and effort required in maintaining focus with both eyes.
Tracking and accomodation of both eyes
How visual information from what you SEE is interpreted and understood
Then, we conduct a thorough assessment of the health of the eyes.
Finally, we develop an initial eye care plan which is regularly reviewed to ensure success. Early diagnosis means children at risk can enjoy normal, healthy brain development and reach their full potential as adults.
We look beyond your vision and what you can SEE and instead assess how your visual system is working as a WHOLE. Remember, its never to early to get your child’s eyes tested!