Treatment Modalities in Behavioural Optometry
Behavioural optometry takes a holistic approach to vision care, offering treatments that go beyond simply improving clarity. Instead of just prescribing glasses for better eyesight, it focuses on enhancing the brain’s ability to process and interpret visual information, which is critical for reading, learning, movement, and everyday tasks.
Here are the key treatment modalities used in behavioural optometry:
1. Customised Lenses for Functional Vision Support
Traditional optometry primarily prescribes glasses to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. However, behavioural optometry lenses do more than sharpen vision—they enhance how the eyes work together and reduce strain.
These may include:
✔ Prism lenses – Used to help with eye alignment, double vision, and visual processing issues.
✔ Bifocal or multifocal lenses – Support near and distance focus adjustments, commonly prescribed for children with focusing difficulties.
✔ Tinted or filtered lenses – Reduce glare, improve contrast, and help with light sensitivity, often beneficial for individuals with neurological conditions or post-concussion vision issues.
2. Vision Therapy – Training the Brain to See Better
Vision therapy is often described as "physical therapy for the eyes and brain." It consists of a series of structured exercises and activities designed to strengthen eye coordination, tracking, focusing, and visual processing skills. Vision therapy can help individuals who experience:
✔ Reading difficulties, skipping words, or losing place
✔ Poor depth perception or hand-eye coordination
✔ Frequent headaches or eye strain from near tasks
How Vision Therapy Works
-
Conducted in-office with a trained vision therapist or through a structured home program.
-
Uses specialised tools such as lenses, prisms, computer-based exercises, and movement activities.
-
Engages neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections to improve visual function over time.
Regular and consistent practice is key to seeing long-term improvements in visual skills.
3. Environmental Modifications – Creating a Vision-Friendly Space
Sometimes, small adjustments in a person’s environment can greatly improve their visual comfort and efficiency. Behavioural optometrists may recommend:
-
Better lighting – Reducing glare and adjusting brightness levels for easier reading.
-
Workstation ergonomics – Positioning screens and materials at the correct distance to minimise strain.
-
Optimised classroom seating – Placing children in ideal positions for board viewing and minimising distractions.
These modifications can be particularly beneficial for students, office workers, and individuals recovering from brain injuries.
4. A Holistic Approach to Vision
Behavioural optometry goes beyond standard eye exams, recognising that vision is more than just 20/20 eyesight. It focuses on:
✔ How vision is integrated with movement and cognition
✔ The role of the brain in processing visual information
✔ Supporting individuals with unique visual challenges, including learning difficulties and post-injury vision rehabilitation
For children struggling with reading, athletes wanting better coordination, or adults recovering from mild head injuries, behavioural optometry provides tailored solutions that traditional optometry may overlook.
Seeing clearly is only the first step—processing, understanding, and making sense of the visual world is what truly enables us to navigate daily life with ease.
Contact Kids Eye Care by Five Dock Optometry today to learn how customised lenses, vision therapy, and environmental adjustments can enhance your child’s vision and learning experience!
Links
What is Behavioural Optometry?
Who Can Benefit from Behavioural Optometry?
Treatment Modalities in Behavioural Optometry
More on Vision Therapy
