What is Behavioural Optometry?

Behavioural Optometry is an approach to vision care that strives to maximise a person's visual efficiency. It is built on the premise that vision is an important part of human behaviour.

What is a Behavioural Optometrist?

Like David Evian, behavioural optometrists spend years in post-graduate, continuing education to master the complex visual programs prescribed to prevent or eliminate visual problems and enhance visual performance. Not all optometrists practice behavioural optometry.

What Does a Behavioural Optometrist Do?

Behavioural optometrists provide an in-depth examination of visual abilities. This includes a comprehensive eye health examination and an investigation of visual acuity.

Behavioural optometrists use exercises and/or stress reducing lenses to improve eye functions and strengthen the eyes so that they can work efficiently and without stress.

Who Needs a Behavioural Optometrist?

Anyone who suffers from burning, itchy eyes, eyes strain or visual fatigue.

Children of all ages, but especially children just starting school.

Children who are having trouble with reading or learning.

Children who seem to be uncoordinated in visually demanding sports, such as ball sports.

Children reading below their potential.

Anyone spending a lot of time on a computer.

Sportspeople who can benefit from a more skillful use of their visual process.

People with special needs such as those with physical, behavioural or intellectual disabilities who often have visual problems and spatial awareness difficulties.

How Can the Behavioural Optometrist Help?

At the first appointment a full eye examination will be carried out with tests for specific visual and perceptual skills. The optometrist may recommend glasses to correct vision or relieve stress and/or a series of exercises to build up visual and perceptual skills.

Stress-relieving glasses for close work are sometimes prescribed as a temporary measure until the eyes are strong enough to work without stress.

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