Optical

Common eye conditions in children to look out for.

Healthy vision is imperative, particularly for children, as their eyes rapidly grow and develop. Seeing well is also critical for children’s mental and physical developmental stages. It not only aids their ability to take in information but aids in developing their spatial reasoning, coordination and memory. In addition, identifying any current and potential eye problems can minimise damage and ensure more effective treatments.

Seven common eye conditions in children

Around one in five children have an undiagnosed eye condition. Knowing about common eye conditions can help parents identify their children’s problems. Seven of the most common eye conditions in children are:

• Refractive errors

Refractive errors include irregularly curved corneas (astigmatism), short-sightedness (myopia) and far-sightedness (hyperopia). These conditions can cause blurred vision and negatively affect your child’s quality of life.

Signs to watch for:

• Frequent squinting
• Head tilting
• Headaches and eye strain
• Holding reading material too close to their face
• Sitting very close to the TV

• Lazy eye
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, occurs when one eye is weaker. A lazy eye is often difficult to identify as children can depend on their “stronger” eye and be unaware of it.

Signs to watch for:

• Difficulty with schoolwork
• Difficulty with playing sports
• Difficulty with attention and focus
• Covering one eye to see
• Frequent head tilting and squinting.

• Convergence insufficiency
Convergence insufficiency affects the way eye muscles co-ordinated and near vision. It works when both eyes struggle to work together to focus on objects up close.

Signs to watch for:

• Difficulty with attention and focus
• Blurred or double vision
• Fatigue when reading
• Headaches
• Difficulty with homework and schoolwork
• Motion sickness or vertigo

• Cross-eyed

Cross-eye, or strabismus, occurs when the eye is turned or misaligned. When left untreated, it is a severe condition that can lead to amblyopia or permanent vision loss. Parents can usually spot this after birth or at two years of age.

Signs to watch for:

• An eye that points in a different direction
• Excessive and frequent squinting
• Frequent head tilting when focusing

• Nystagmus
Children can be born with nystagmus or acquire the condition from six months old. It is characterised by rapid and involuntary eye movement.

Signs to watch for:

• Rapid and repetitive eye movements from side to side, up and down or in a circle.

• Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)
BVD occurs when both eyes are misaligned, making them struggle to work together. It can cause both physical and mental issues to arise in your child.

Signs to watch for:

• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Light sensitivity
• Motion sickness
• Stress and anxiety

• Paediatric cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens of one or both eyes becomes cloudy. It is estimated that roughly 30,000 children worldwide are born with cataracts each year.

Signs to watch for:

• Difficulty recognising faces and seeing objects
• Cross-eyed children
• Cloudy pupils
• Involuntary rapid eye movements

Spotting vision problems

If your child has trouble with their vision, it can impact their entire life – from school to sports to playtime. More importantly, the issue with children having vision problems is that they can be difficult to spot without a check-up at the optometrist. The school holidays are the perfect time to check on your child’s well-being and general eye health. If you’ve noticed your child displaying signs of any of the above conditions or if you’ve seen their schoolwork suffering, it is time to book an appointment with Optical Insight. We’ll ensure your child’s vision is clear so they can enjoy school, sports and playing again.

To book an appointment or for a general check-up, click here.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR FAMILY’S EYES A PRIORITY THIS YEAR

We know the drill: new year, new you. It’s time for a fresh start – but with a difference. This year, join us in maintaining your eye health all year through to December with this quick and easy guide. We’ve put together our top tips to keep your and your family’s eyes in tip-top shape.

Get outdoors!

Getting outside not only gives our eyes the needed break from screen time but sunlight has been known to reduce the occurrence of near-sightedness. An additional one hour of outdoor time per week will reduce the risk of myopia by 14 per cent.

So, no matter the season, get your family outdoors. Go for walks, sit in the sun, spend time with friends, go on hikes, picnics or just head to the park.

Remember the 20 – 20 – 20 rule.

Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s as simple as that, but doing this will give your eyes a much-needed break. This is particularly important if you spend a lot of time on a digital device.

Don’t forget your sunnies!

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement. No matter the weather, if you’re heading outside into daylight, grab your sunnies. UV damage can lead to a permanent deterioration in the health of our eyes. Additionally, excessive exposure to UV can cause growths, both cancerous and non-cancerous, and cataracts. UV damage accumulates over time. So, protect your eyes from dangerous UV (and wild weather) by wearing sunglasses – particularly UV-protective sunglasses that wrap around. Pair it with your favourite hat for added protection.

Eat well to see well.

I’m sure we’re all striving to eat better this year. A healthy diet helps us stabilise our mood, feel great and see better. So this year, try thinking about what you can add to your diet instead of focusing on what you need to take away. For example, eating more fresh fruit such as berries, leafy greens like kale, spinach and lettuce, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, nuts, and seeds will help you strengthen your eyes.

Move more

Aim to incorporate more movement into your daily life. Exercise is crucial to the health of our eyes as it circulates more oxygenated blood to them. As a result, it can reduce the incidences of diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. The exercise you do doesn’t have to be vigorous or intense; just aim to move a little more. For example, instead of driving down the road to the shops, consider saving yourself some petrol and walking. Additionally, try parking around the block instead of parking at the door. Something as simple as that will allow you to incorporate more movement into your daily life easily.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water not only prevents any symptoms of burning eyes, irritation and dryness but will also remove any toxins from the body that can contribute to the degeneration of our eye health. Moreover, our eyes have a tear film that sits on their surface. Staying hydrated will help maintain his film and protect our eyes from dryness. Blinking also helps revitalise that film, which would otherwise deteriorate and cause blurry vision and dry eyes. So, this year, don’t forget to drink and blink!

Keep up with your hygiene.

It’s important we protect our eyes by maintaining our hygiene standards. If you wear contacts, don’t forget to remove them every night and clean them with a contact solution. If you wear make-up, don’t forget to throw away expired make-up, use your own brushes and applicators and remove it every night before bed. For everyone else, avoid rubbing your eyes and don’t forget to wash your face at the end of every day.

Wear PPE

It can be easy to forget how vulnerable our eyes are to lifelong damage. A simple accident can result in both minor and significant injuries. Minor injuries, such as scratches on the eye, are not only annoying but can lead to something serious. Significant injuries, on the other hand, can have life-altering results, such as permanent blindness. So, if you’re in a high-risk profession, such as welding, mechanical engineering, building or working with chemicals, or about to take part in a high-risk sport, such as squash, field hockey or lacrosse, don’t forget your personal protective equipment. Face shields and safety glasses are critical for preventing orbital bone fractures, foreign objects entering the eye and retinal detachments.

Don’t forget to take it easy!

We may not always feel it, but like every other body part, our eyes get tired. So rest is crucial to the well-being of our eyes. Closing your eyes (and sleeping) allows your eyes and brain adequate time to relax and revitalise.

Get your eyes checked.

Eye exams are a great way to check the health of your eyes. It gives your optometrist the chance to alert you to possible eye diseases, ensure your prescription is correct and help you maintain the overall health of your eyes. During your check-up, your optometrist will also ask about your family’s eye health history. Many eye conditions, like macular degeneration and glaucoma, have a genetic link. Being aware and informing your medical professional allows us to screen for early warning signs and monitor your eye health more closely. Moreover, regular check-ups also give you the chance to pay attention to any changes in your vision. Taking the opportunity to purposefully check in on your health will help you manage and identify any problems.

Don’t forget eye exams are bulk billed through Medicare. So, take advantage of this and book an appointment for the family now

Why UV is so dangerous to our eyes.

This year’s summer maybe wetter than normal, but it’s still coming. And with summer comes park picnics, BBQ’s, beach days and other outdoor activities. Spending more time outside can be so beneficial, as sunlight can have a positive effect on our health. Sunlight gives us the much-needed vitamin D, plays a role in our body’s natural-wake sleep cycles and prevent near-sightedness in children. However, with sunlight comes UV radiation and this can cause damage to eyes – including the eyelids, cornea and lens.

How is UV radiation dangerous?

Living in Australia means that we are exposed to a much higher level of UV radiation. This is because the Australia is much closer to the hole in the ozone layer than the rest of the world. It’s important we protect ourselves as UV can:.

cause chronic damage and lead to decreased vision

• UV radiation can lead to corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration have cosmetic effects

• The skin of our eyelids is the thinnest of our whole body. UV damage can cause dryness, wrinkles, skin furrows, sagging, loss of elasticity and pigmentation

Lead to deadly diseases

• UV radiation has be associated with skin cancers. These cancers are able to invade the eye and lead to cancerous growths.

Cause sunburn

• UV radiation puts everyone, particularly children, at risk for sunburn. Sunburning is called photokeratitis and can cause temporary vision loss.

Lead to pterygium

•A non-cancerous growth that occurs when the white skin of the eye starts encroaching into the coloured part.

Protecting your eyes from UV:

UV radiation can cause damage to all our ocular structures – including our eyelids. Remember these tips to protect your and your child’s eyes as best as you can:

Wear sunglasses

• Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement. They protect our eyes from harmful light and damage. However, not all sunglasses are the same. The best sunglasses – to protect your eyes and block out reflected UV radiation – are polarised sunglasses. Sunglasses labelled as category 2, 3 or 4 and are marked as a 9 or 10 in eye protection factor (EPF) meet Australian standards

• Additionally, sunglasses need to fit correctly. They should sit close to the bridge of the nose, without touching eyelashes, and wrap around for side protection.

Wear a hat

• Pair your sunnies with a broad brimmed hat for added protection

Remember that clouds don’t block UV

• Even if you can’t see the sun, it doesn’t mean that UV radiation isn’t present.

Sunlight is strongest from midday to the early afternoon.

Never look directly at the sun

• This can damage your eye’s retina and cause serious injury.

Avoid tanning beds

• UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial light can cause damage to your eye tissue, cornea and lens.

Remember that radiation can be reflected

• UV can be reflected from the ground, water, snow, sand and other bright surfaces.

Book regular eye tests

• Eye tests are the best way to identify and prevent any problems that may arise. With the Australian summer coming up, it’s important you schedule an appointment to make sure your eyes are in perfect health.

Summer is fast approaching, book an appointment today to make sure you are sun smart and sun ready.

Mental Health and Eye Health

We all know that leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent the development of eye diseases and slow the onset of naturally occurring, age-related vision impairments. But did you know that mental health also plays a vital role in eye health (and vice versa)?

How is our eye health affect our mental health linked?

Research shows that those suffering from poor vision health are more likely to develop depression and anxiety. In fact, one in four people with vision loss are currently experiencing poor mental health, and younger adults are five times more likely to share this. Although researchers don’t fully understand the correlation between poor mental health and our eye health, there are two current theories. The first is stress. Stress is a significant factor in both the progression of eye conditions and the deterioration of our mental health. As a result, this is likely the link between our eyes and our mind. The second reason researchers believe connects our mental- and vision- health is through neurological links in the brain. Some researchers believe certain mental health conditions have the same neurological roots as that of our eyes. As such, a deterioration in one is linked to a weakening of the other.

Moreover, poor eyesight can adversely affect the mental health of adults and children. In adults, losing your sight can exponentially affect your quality of life. Things you could normally do, such as driving, can be taken away from you. This can lead to depression and anxiety, particularly if you begin feeling like you’ve lost your independence. Additionally, in children, poor eyesight has been linked to social difficulties and loneliness, reduced mobility and the ability to take part in age-appropriate activities with their friends, and an increased dependency on adult caregivers. These factors can lead to depression and anxiety in young children as they can be overcome with a sense of grief and worthlessness.

5 tips to keep both your eyes and your mind healthy.

• Exercise!
Incorporating movement into our daily routine is key to keeping our physique healthy. It lowers the risk of dangerous diseases, including eye diseases, and it boosts your mood and reduces stress levels.

• Eat healthily
We are what we eat, right? We know that carrots, broccoli and spinach are incredibly good for your eyes and maintaining eye health. But did you know that sticking to a diet of healthier foods sets you up for fewer mood fluctuations, an overall happier outlook, and the ability to better manage stress?

• Share your family history with your doctor.
Both eye diseases and mental health issues can be genetic. As a result, we must share our family history with our doctors so they can help us manage the risk and keep an eye out for any symptoms.

• Quit smoking
Smoking has been linked to numerous health issues such as increasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. More terrifyingly, those who smoke and have mental health issues are more likely to die five years earlier than those who don’t smoke.

• Manage your chronic diseases
Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, can lead to irreversible eye damage when unmanaged. Not only that, but the development of the disorders can cause mental health to deteriorate.

We understand it can be challenging to manage your mental health when it starts to spiral, especially if it’s due to an underlying health problem. When you feel yourself getting out of control try to calm your mind through practicing mindfulness, learning a new skill, connecting with people, giving back, exercising or seeking help.

Contacting a health care professional for help should never be shrouded with shame. Instead, seek counselling, support groups, doctors, or if you’re mental health issues stem from your eyesight, come into Optical Insight and we can help you out.

Lifestyle factors that hurt our eyes

As our bodies age, so do our eyes. It’s common for older adults to experience things such as having difficulty seeing up close, distinguishing colours or adjusting to the light. Although this is inevitable, lifestyle factors can exacerbate or further damage our eyes and affect our vision.

UV Exposures

We’ve all been warned about the harmful effects of UV rays. They’ve been known to cause skin cancer, exacerbate aging and suppress the immune system. UV rays also harm the eyes. Just like our skin, our eyes can be sunburnt too. Moreover, UV damage to the eyes can cause cataracts and eye damage. Sun damage can occur in young children as early as nine years old and is magnified during summer or snow holidays.
How to minimise damage:
Wearing sunglasses during the day will filter out the amount of UV entering the eyes and minimise any damage caused by the sun.

Screen time

You don’t have to be a scientist to know that too much screen time is bad for the eyes. This is because it drastically increases dry eyes and has been linked to myopia in adults and children.
How to minimise damage:
We can do two main things to minimise the damage from looking at the screen all day. The first is through exposure to bright natural, UV-free light. The second is by following the 20 20 20 rule – that is, look 20 feet away from the screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Smoking

Smoking adversely affects much of our bodies, so it’s no surprise it affects our eyes too. Smoking has been known to cause blindness through retinal artery occlusion and retinal disease.
How to minimise damage:
The most straightforward answer is to stop smoking altogether. However, we understand quitting isn’t simple. So, we ask you to do your best and minimise the amount you smoke until you’re comfortable enough to stop altogether.

Poor contact lens hygiene

We find that those who wear contacts can get complacent about their contact lens hygiene over time. This can lead to acanthamoeba keratitis, which can cause blindness.
How to minimise damage:
We ask our contact-wearing clients to please be vigilant about their hygiene habits. Practices such as topping up contact lens solutions with water and not changing the lenses in time create a higher risk of bacterial and fungal infections.

Poor diet

We’ve spoken about how our dietary choices can affect our eyesight. For example, a poor diet can lead to high blood pressure, which can result in vision loss. But, conversely, a good and balanced diet can diminish the onset of macular degeneration.
How to minimise damage:
Make sure you consume a balanced diet full of eye-healthy foods, such as blueberries and spinach.

Is it time to see the Optom?

We can never honestly know the damage that is done to our eyes on a day to day. The best way to check on the health of our eyes is to visit the local Optom. A general eye test should be conducted every few years; however, follow this checklist to know if you’re due for a visit:

You family has a high risk for eye diseases
Your vision has gotten visibly worse
Your eyes have become irritated
You’ve noticed some problems with your vision
You’re pregnant
You’re taking long-term medication with side effects that impact your eyes
You can’t remember the last time you visited the Optom

Are you due for an appointment? Click here to book with Optical Insight now.

Ten nutrient-dense foods to keep your eyes healthy

Did you know that maintaining a healthy diet won’t just stave off a cold but help you maintain good eye health? With flu season well and truly here, we thought we’d put together a list of nutrient-filled foods that won’t just keep the doctor away but are also eye-friendly!

1. Eggs

Eggs are an incredibly nutrient-dense food that helps our bodies fight against flus and colds. The high protein content is essential to building muscle and keeping your body physically strong. At the same time, B6 and B12 contribute to making a healthy immune system. Eggs are also very beneficial for eye health. They’re filled with lutein and zeaxanthin – essential components for eye health – are the primary antioxidant carotenoids in the retina and reduce the risk of age-related sight loss.

2. Carrots

Carrots are packed full of beta-carotene, which does double duty in the body. First, our bodies convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is extraordinarily beneficial to our immune system and eyes. Vitamin A assists our bodies in maintaining a healthy mucous membrane and fights germs whilst assisting our eyes to keep the surface of our corneas moist and healthy. Beta-carotene is also known to enhance night and peripheral vision.

3. Avocado

Avocados are high in oleic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C and K. Oleic acid decreases inflammation and plays an essential role in immune function. On the other hand, lutein and zeaxanthin are primary antioxidant carotenoids that protect the eyes against light damage and reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases.

4. Leafy Greens

Our favourite leafy greens – such as kale, spinach, lettuce and broccoli – are high in vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin. All of which promote healthy immune systems and eyes.

5. Citrus

Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. We all know that vitamin C helps us heal when we have a cold, but did you know they also contribute to healthy eyes. Vitamin C combats the development of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and healthy blood vessels in the eyes.

6. Greek Yogurt

Greek yoghurt is high in protein and full of probiotics which contain live cultures to promote a robust immune system. Greek yoghurt also contains vitamin C and A, which protect the cornea, and zinc which brings vitamin A to the eyes from the liver.

For example, for people who wear eye makeup, you must ensure that your makeup and utensils are clean and will not irritate the eyes.

7. Blueberries

Blueberries have the highest capacity of antioxidants which not only prevent immune cell damage but also boost collagen structure in the retina and provide extra protection to your eyes.

8. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish – such as tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and herring – are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Protein protects our immune system by synthesizing critical structures that help fight bacteria, toxins and viruses. Omega-3, on the other hand, is found to ward off macular degeneration. Moreover, fatty fish encourages the production of lymphocyte cells in the body that help fight bacteria, toxins, and viruses.

9. Nuts

Nuts are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent source of selenium and zinc. The combination boosts the immune system and eye health and protects the eyes from free radicals that break down eye tissue.

10. Seeds

Finally, seeds are an incredible source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals—these act to fortify the immune system whilst protecting our eyes from damage.

Three recipes to boost eye health that kids will love:

1. Blueberry and orange smoothie

Blend ½ a cup of Greek yoghurt,
2 tbs of honey,
1 cup of frozen blueberries,
1 orange and ½ a cup of water.

Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this refreshing smoothie is perfect for waking you up in the morning and preventing age-related eye conditions.

2. Super-green smoothie

Blend 1 banana,
½ avocado,
2 tbs Greek yoghurt,
1 cup of leafy greens such as spinach or kale
1 cup of water.

The perfect mid-day pick-me-up, this creamy smoothie is packed with vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3.

3. Orange, apple and carrot

Blend together an apple, orange, banana, carrots and a cup of water until smooth.
Add a tablespoon of nut butter or a handful of seeds to any smoothie to boost omega-3 fatty acids and protect your eyes.

A crowd-pleaser, this smoothie is filled with beta-carotene, vitamin C and antioxidants to keep the doctor away and strengthen your eye health.

To book an appointment, click here or call us on 9841 5798

Caring For Your Children's Eyes During Winter Months

There are different ways to keep your children’s eyes healthy during colder winter months. Eye issues such as dry, sore eyes, tired eyes from prolonged screen time indoor in colder months are common problems all parents face these days.

Dry Eyes

Like adults, children can also get dry, sore eyes form heaters and cold winds outside. Using humidifiers may prevent excessive drying of our skin and eyes as dry eyes can cause sore, red eyes and our children’s eyes to get irritated. If you do not have humidifiers, simply placing an open glass of water in each room can help too.

Another issues are with contact lens wear during winter; as the weather gets drier, contact lenses may get dry in the eye. Talking to your eye care practitioner (optometrist or ophthalmologist) about what you can do for your child (or yourself) may help; they may prescribe eye lubricant in the form of eyedrops, gel or spray.

Wearing sunglasses, or a hat may help protect your eyes from outside cold winds when doing outdoor exercise or play.

Sunglasses over Winter! Yes or No?

Most definitely! The winter sun might not feel as bright or strong; however the UV index can be the same as warmer summer days. Make sure that your children’s eyes are protected when UV index is high especially in the beach or the snow. Sunlight reflected by the snow can lead to sunburnt eyes so make sure that your and your children’s sunglasses and snow goggles have good UV protection.

Flu and Eye Issues

Washing hands thoroughly and frequently can help the spread of cold and flu. Make sure you and your children are vaccinated against the current flu; visit your GP to ask them about the latest flu vaccine every year. Common eye issues when you are exposed to someone with cold and flu (or if you are affected with one) are conjunctivitis (pink eyes) and blepharitis (lid infection). Avoid touching your eyes when you have a cold or flu.

Screen Related Eye Strain

With modern technology, it is easier to just say “yes” to your children wanting to play ipad/ phone/ or watch TV whilst being indoor. We found that many children develop myopia (shortsightedness) during winter months with prolonged exposure to screentime. When the weather is bad; look for other indoor sports or activities to keep our little ones busy during winter months. Get them involved in house chores, make it fun and reward them! Organise some play dates with other children, find some outdoor sports or take your kids to the snow!

Sonya Wijaya (B. Optom. Ther. Endorsed/ PG. Spec. Cert. Cont. Lenses and Paedriatics) is a family optometrist based in Doncaster East www.opticalinsight.com.au (Ph 98415798)

Effects on Eyes during Pregnancy

One of the most unspoken – and possibly terrifying – changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy are the effects on their eyes. Most women are prepared for the impending lower back pain or nausea that comes with motion sickness but are utterly unprepared for the changes in their vision.

What causes vision changes?

Hormones. Anyone pregnant – or around anyone pregnant – can tell you about the endless list of side effects of hormones during pregnancy. Hormones are the root cause of all evil during this time – mood swings, morning sickness, food aversions. So, it’s no surprise that hormones can cause blurry vision, dry eyes and other eye-related issues.

How do pregnancy hormones cause blurry vision?

Pregnancy can lead to eye dryness that causes blurry vision. Pregnancy hormones often cause a decrease in tear production – ironic because they can increase crying – which leads to dry eyes, irritation, discomfort, and blurry vision. Moreover, they cause the dreaded swelling. The same way pregnancy causes your ankles and feet to swell up, they can cause your eyes to swell. Eye swelling alters the shape of your eye and lens, affecting your vision whilst you are pregnant. It can also alter the thickness of your cornea, so we recommend you ditch the contact lenses as they will get very uncomfortable.

What to do if you experience blurry vision?

In most cases, the changes in your vision should return to normal once the baby is born. We don’t even recommend you get a new prescription unless the changes make it extremely difficult for you to see. Use pregnancy-safe eye drops to combat any dryness and give your eyes a rest. Come in for a check-up if you experience blurry vision to ensure your pregnancy is going well and for your peace of mind.

When should I be worried about changes in my vision during pregnancy?

Although vision changes during pregnancy are nothing to worry about more often than not, sometimes they can be a sign of a potentially serious problem. Sudden changes to your vision – such as a temporary loss of vision, sudden blurry vision, light sensitivity or flashing lights and spots – can be a sign of preeclampsia – caused by high blood pressure during pregnancy. Other symptoms to watch for include severe swelling of the hands and face, persistent headaches, sudden weight gain, unusual thirst and frequent urination in large amounts. These symptoms, along with blurry vision, can indicate gestational diabetes.

In these cases, we recommend you see a doctor immediately. Often, these issues can be extremely dangerous for you and the baby.

For more information or to book a check-up, click here

Behavioural testing to improve a child’s concentration

At Optical Insight, we offer Behavioural Optometry, a service that goes beyond your average eye check.

What is Behavioural Optometry?

Behavioural optometrists treat infants, toddlers and young school-aged children with vision deficiencies that affect their growth, development and ability to focus and learn. Behaviour optometry picks up where standard eye checks end. Often, we find that your standard yearly eye test doesn’t pick up behaviourally influenced vision issues.

Why is Behavioural Optometry important to children?

Vision is one of the most important senses a child utilises in the classroom. It plays a significant role in core competencies, including spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic. Moreover, it can impair your child’s ability to focus. Behavioural optometry doesn’t just assess the child’s vision. It also assesses habits developed by the eye due to poor vision.

Who is behavioural testing for?

Although behavioural optometry focuses on young developing children – to ensure that visual acuity is in order – behavioural optometry can benefit anyone with a visually demanding job or lifestyle.

How does optometric behavioural testing work?

Behavioural testing utilises perceptive visual tests to identify gaps in the building blocks in a child’s optical system. These building blocks are what they use to read, write and concentrate. Once we diagnose an issue, we can work towards healing. Some solutions we may recommend are:

Appropriate prescriptions of glasses
Vision therapy – designed to improve visual processing development
Tinted lenses – for certain conditions
Advice on how to prevent or reduce the development of eye problems

Goals of behavioural optometry?

Our goals are simple. We want to do everything we can to ensure your children are happy, healthy and not struggling if they don’t have to. Behavioural optometry prevents the development of vision problems, provide treatments for any identified issues or provide a plan to ensure that the visual abilities needed in the classroom or when playing sport develop normally.

Signs that your child may have vision problems:

Covering one eye
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Poor concentration
Avoiding sports
Difficulty with short term memory retention
Seeing double
Head tilting
Avoiding activities that require short distances, such as reading
One eye turning in or out
Losing place when reading

Don’t let your child suffer from undetected visual issues all year; click here to book an appointment today!

Common eye conditions in children to look out for.

Seven common eye conditions in children

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Signs to watch for:

Spotting vision problems

Categories

HOW TO MAKE YOUR FAMILY’S EYES A PRIORITY THIS YEAR

We know the drill: new year, new you. It’s time for a fresh start – but with a difference. This year, join us in maintaining your eye health all year through to December with this quick and easy guide. We’ve put together our top tips to keep your and your family’s eyes in tip-top shape.

Get outdoors!

Remember the 20 – 20 – 20 rule.

Don’t forget your sunnies!

Eat well to see well.

Move more

Stay hydrated

Keep up with your hygiene.

Wear PPE

Don’t forget to take it easy!

Get your eyes checked.

Categories

Why UV is so dangerous to our eyes.

Categories

Mental Health and Eye Health

We all know that leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent the development of eye diseases and slow the onset of naturally occurring, age-related vision impairments. But did you know that mental health also plays a vital role in eye health (and vice versa)?

5 tips to keep both your eyes and your mind healthy.

• Exercise!Incorporating movement into our daily routine is key to keeping our physique healthy. It lowers the risk of dangerous diseases, including eye diseases, and it boosts your mood and reduces stress levels.

• Share your family history with your doctor.Both eye diseases and mental health issues can be genetic. As a result, we must share our family history with our doctors so they can help us manage the risk and keep an eye out for any symptoms.

• Manage your chronic diseasesSome chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, can lead to irreversible eye damage when unmanaged. Not only that, but the development of the disorders can cause mental health to deteriorate.

Categories

Lifestyle factors that hurt our eyes

As our bodies age, so do our eyes. It’s common for older adults to experience things such as having difficulty seeing up close, distinguishing colours or adjusting to the light. Although this is inevitable, lifestyle factors can exacerbate or further damage our eyes and affect our vision.

Categories

Ten nutrient-dense foods to keep your eyes healthy

Did you know that maintaining a healthy diet won’t just stave off a cold but help you maintain good eye health? With flu season well and truly here, we thought we’d put together a list of nutrient-filled foods that won’t just keep the doctor away but are also eye-friendly!

Categories

Top ten questions to ask your optometrist!

Categories

Caring For Your Children's Eyes During Winter Months

Categories

Effects on Eyes during Pregnancy

Categories

Behavioural testing to improve a child’s concentration

Categories

QUICK LINKS

GET IN TOUCH

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to get the latest news and updates

FOLLOW US

2025 © Optical In Sight. All rights reserved. Website by RW Marketing Pty Ltd

• Exercise!
Incorporating movement into our daily routine is key to keeping our physique healthy. It lowers the risk of dangerous diseases, including eye diseases, and it boosts your mood and reduces stress levels.

• Share your family history with your doctor.
Both eye diseases and mental health issues can be genetic. As a result, we must share our family history with our doctors so they can help us manage the risk and keep an eye out for any symptoms.

• Manage your chronic diseases
Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, can lead to irreversible eye damage when unmanaged. Not only that, but the development of the disorders can cause mental health to deteriorate.

2025 © Optical In Sight. All rights reserved.
Website by RW Marketing Pty Ltd