BEHAVIOURAL OPTOMETRY

Although Behavioural Optometry is mainly geared towards children and their visual development, all patients can benefit from this holistic approach to vision care.

Behavioural Optometry involves understanding the difference between vision and eyesight. Eyesight is the ability to ‘see’, whereas vision is the result of the brain interpreting the information from the eyes, as well as information from our other senses, to comprehend the world around us. For example, eyesight is being able to see a car on the road, but vision gives us the ability to interpret the information needed to cross the road without being run over.


Traditional optometry is more concerned with eyesight, while Behavioural Optometry is interested in vision.


When it comes to vision, children and adults needs differ greatly. For one, children tend to have a hard time assessing their own vision, and usually assume that the way they see is the same as everybody else. Poor vision can seriously affect your child’s development, and hamper progress at school. If your child is having trouble paying attention in class, is slow in learning to read, or if they fatigue quickly or get headaches often, they may need vision care. We work closely with parents, as well as teachers and other health professionals to provide a holistic approach to assessing and treating your child’s vision.

 

Click below for a Children's Vision Observation Checklist which can be completed by a parent or teacher. If your child identifies with any of the points on this list, an assessment with a Behavioural Optometrist may be of benefit.

Childrens Vision Observation Checklist

Not all optometrists practice Behavioural Optometry, Behavioural Optometrists spend years in post-graduate study and continuing education to assess, and work to eliminate visual problems and enhance visual performance. Our Behavioural Optometrists use a variety of tools to achieve these goals, including the use of spectacle lenses, exercises and in-office therapy with our accredited Vision Therapist.

 

For more information about Behavioural Optometry and what is tested in a Behavioural assessment, click below.

Behavioural Optometry Information
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