Signs Kids Need A Behavioural Eye Examination
When to Make an Indepth Eye Appointment for Kids
Did you know that 80% of a child’s learning journey is navigated through their vision? Yet, it’s surprising to learn that 1 in 5 children may have an undetected vision problem that significantly affects their ability to learn effectively. Many parents believe “seeing clearly” is the gold standard for good vision. However, this is often not the case.
Even a child with 20/20 vision might wrestle with hidden vision challenges that hinder their learning process.
The majority of the children presenting to our practice who struggle to learn have 20/20 vision and have passed their preschool vision screening test
Seeing Isn’t Always Believing: The Reality of Vision Challenges
Parents often observe various symptoms and signs in their children, which could be indicators of underlying vision problems:
- Frequent Eye Rubbing or Blinking
- Covering One Eye
- Short Attention Span
- Avoiding Activities Like Ball Games
- Difficulty Remembering What Was Just 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
How Behavioural Optometry Can Help
Behavioural Optometry is a field of optometry which assesses not only how clearly a child sees but also assesses visual function and information processing skills.
It’s about ensuring your child’s vision functions comfortably and efficiently in every scenario.
Behavioural Optometrists assess and treat various aspects, including:
- Binocular Vision Disorders: Critical for enhancing attention and concentration.
- Focus and Eye Coordination: Crucial for smooth reading, writing, and computer tasks.
- Distance Vision: Preventing issues like myopia (short-sightedness).
- Conditions Like Amblyopia and Strabismus: Tailored treatments for effective results.
- Tracking Eye Movement Abilities: Optimising fluency in reading.
- Visual Perception Skills: Essential for academic performance.
If you suspect your child may be grappling with undiagnosed vision challenges or simply want to ensure their vision is on the right track,
Book in for a comprehensive eye examination.
Read more about what the comprehensive eye examination involves.
The Alarming Miss Rate in Australian School Screenings
Studies in Australia have revealed that school vision screenings can miss up to 90% of visual problems in children. This implies that while parents and teachers may assume everything is fine, a child grappling with undiagnosed visual challenges continues to endure silently.
Why should parents be concerned?
Parents may not always notice vision problems in their children because kids often find it difficult to express what they’re going through. This can lead to misunderstandings, both for parents and teachers, who might think the child is simply “being difficult”.
When a child has an undetected vision problem, their behaviour can be misunderstood. They may appear inattentive, fidgety, or even uncooperative, especially regarding tasks like reading or schoolwork.
However, these behaviours are often their way of coping with vision challenges they can’t put into words. Understanding that these actions might be signs of an underlying vision issue is the first step in helping the child overcome these challenges and succeed in their learning journey.
