Children's Vision

Children with uncorrected vision problems can struggle to develop academically, socially and athletically. Over 80% of our learning is visual. So if the visual system is not working correctly our learning is affected.

Sort out your Children's vision problems early with Auckland Children's Optometrists Carlisle Mason. Children with uncorrected vision problems can struggle to develop academically, socially and athletically. Expert eyecare can eliminate the struggle and ensure your child achieves their potential in life.

Over 80% of our learning is visual. So if the visual system is not working correctly our learning is affected. A recent study of primary school students in New Zealand found that 70% of children in remedial reading had undiagnosed vision problems. Fortunately, when these vision problems were corrected the children showed dramatic improvement in their progress.

School screening tests check to make sure that children have sharp vision to see things far away - like the blackboard. Unfortunately they do not check your child's close vision, eye alignment and eye movements - the vital visual functions needed for reading!

We recommend that every child should have their eyes tested around age 3, then again when they start school. 

Signals that your child needs to have their eyes checked:

• Consistently sitting too close to the TV or holding a book too close
• Losing their place while reading
• Using a finger to follow along while reading
• Squinting
• Tilting the head to see better
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
• Closing one eye to read, watch TV or see better
• Avoiding activities which require near vision, such as reading or homework

If you are concerned about your childs vision, we recommend an eye examination.

Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is based on the fact that all vision is learned.

The ability to see and correctly interpret what is seen does not arise automatically at birth. It develops over a lifetime and is shaped by the experiences a person has. Some people may skip steps in their vision development. Others may not receive the necessary visual experiences or learning opportunities to develop their vision skills adequately.

Some may have experiences that put stress on their vision system and cause parts of it to break down. The school-age child, for example, spending long periods of time reading or doing desk work may begin to have trouble seeing clearly at a distance. The adult spending most of the day staring at a video display terminal may start to have difficulty focusing back and forth between text and screen.

In the examination, the optometrist breaks down the process of vision down into it's various components. He or she then treats the problem areas with a program of vision therapy; re-educating, reinforcing and developing the specific vision skills involved in the total process of vision perception.

A vision therapy program consists of prescribed visual activities practiced under controlled conditions in the office and reinforced at home. The length of time required for completion of vision therapy programs varies, depending upon the type of vision problem present, how long the condition has existed, the motivation of the patient and the level of improvement desired.

Vision Therapy is available at the Carlisle Mason Whangaparaoa branch.

 Leading Optometrists in Auckland, Thames and Tauranga dedicated to serving you

Give us a call today - 0800 678 478