BEHAVIOURAL OPTOMETRY

What is Behavioural Optometry?

Behavioural optometry is a field that dives into the sensory, motor and auditory components of neurodevelopment. It evaluates how the brain processes information in order to make sense of environments and function within them successfully. Different from a standard eye test, behavioural optometry differentiates sight and vision as two separate measures. Reading the fine print on a vision chart may conclude that you have perfect eyesight but cannot determine if you have good vision. 

Vision involves the ability to efficiently function at various tasks in smooth co-ordinated sequence. Behavioural testing can provide diagnosis and treatment of visual problems, coordination, motor planning and sequencing, balance, and mobility, as well as personalised prescription glasses to minimise distracting visual symptoms.  Behavioural optometry can be particularly useful for children who are struggling in school, as well as adults with vision-related learning difficulties, athletes looking to improve their performance, and individuals with neurological conditions that affect their visual processing.  

Overall, the goal of behavioural optometry is to help patients develop and maintain optimal visual skills for efficient and comfortable performance in daily activities. 

Behavioural optometry tests several components of vision which include:

• The eyes' ability to converge, focus, work together as a team, co-ordination with movements, tracking abilities as well as depth perception.
• Issues linked with systemic conditions, certain medications or subsequent to a head injury, or concussion.
• Childrens ability to perceive what they see and ensure their skills are at their respective age-appropriate level. Delayed development can result in poor formation of key skills required to learn effectively.
• Managing and treating amblyopia and strabismus 
• Providing customised spectacles, contact lenses and vision therapy programs.

Treatment strategies can help improve quality of life and improve learning outcomes in the classroom. 

The goal of behavioural optometry is to improve overall visual performance and comfort, which can have a positive impact on a person's daily life, academic or work performance, and overall well-being.