Behavioural optometry is an extended area of optometry which considers more than just whether your eyes can see the smallest print or 20/20. It carefully examines visual skills such as eye tracking, focusing and eye teamwork to ensure your eyes are working effectively and efficiently. If there are problems in these areas, it can seriously affect the way you process visual information. Even if you have perfect eyesight, these poor visual skills may negatively affect your eyes’ performance and/or behaviour and this could contribute or accompany learning difficulties.

The main goals of a behavioural vision assessment are to:

• prevent vision problems from developing
• provide treatment for vision problems that have already developed
• enhance visual skills needed to achieve more effective visual performance in the classroom

Your behavioural optometrist may recommend treatments including:

• advice on visual habits to prevent or reduce the development of visual problems
• prescription of spectacle lenses or prisms
• vision therapy to enhance and develop visual skills
• referral to an ophthalmologist, health-care professional or learning centre