What is a Behavioural Optometrist? How Can They Help You?

Our eyes are a very important part of our health. When it comes to vision, traditional optometry focuses on diagnosing and treating eye diseases, prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses, and providing vision therapy for conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

But there is another type of optometrist who specialises in assessing and treating the way we use our eyes – a behavioural optometrist. A behavioural optometrist looks at how vision affects our daily lives, from learning difficulties to sports performance to headaches.

Behavioural optometrists are trained to assess visual skills like eye tracking, eye teaming, focusing and coordination. They help people who have difficulty seeing clearly or looking at a distant object without fatigue. What’s more, they also work with people who suffer from eyestrain, headaches or have problems with their ability to read and comprehend written material.

Behavioural optometrists use specialised equipment to measure visual skills and analyse how well the eyes are working together when focusing on an object or moving from one point to another. Further testing can determine if the problem is related to a physical issue with the eye or a neurological problem, such as poor coordination between the eyes.

Once any underlying vision issues are identified, behavioural optometrists can recommend treatments and strategies to improve visual processing. These may include vision therapy exercises, glasses or contact lenses with specialised prism lenses, tinted lenses for light sensitivity and coloured filters to reduce glare.

If you’re struggling to read or are having difficulty performing daily activities due to eyestrain, a visit to a behavioural optometrist could help alleviate some of your symptoms. By improving the way we use our eyes and vision, behavioural optometry can improve the overall quality of life and learning capabilities for Australians of all ages.

Don’t hesitate to look for a ‘behavioural optometrist near me’ if you think there may be an underlying issue with your vision. With the right treatment, you can enjoy a clear and comfortable vision for life.

Potential Problems Treated by a Behavioural Optometrist

The first step in getting help from a behavioural optometrist is to have your vision checked. When you visit the optometrist, they will ask questions about your current vision and any problems you may be experiencing. Common issues that can be treated by a behavioural optometrist include:

• Difficulty reading or comprehending written material

• Eyestrain or headaches with near work

• Poor attention and focus when reading or performing tasks

• Difficulty with eye tracking, eye teaming or focusing skills

• Visual fatigue due to long-term use of screens like computers, phones or tablets

• Blurred vision or double vision at a distance

By assessing the way we use our eyes, behavioural optometrists can identify issues that may be hindering our vision and develop a tailored treatment plan to help improve it. For example, treatment can include vision therapy exercises to address any eye teaming and tracking issues, optical aids such as specialised prism lenses, or tinted lenses for light sensitivity.

Ultimately, a behavioural optometrist can help you get the most out of your vision, allowing you to enjoy a clearer and more comfortable sight. If you’re concerned about your vision or think there may be an underlying issue, don’t hesitate to contact a behavioural optometrist. With the right treatment, you can start seeing clearly and confidently in no time. Even if your eyesight is fine, it might be that glasses for tasks that require concentration can alleviate tension and headaches.