Children’s Eye Test Frankston
Looking for a children’s eye test near Frankston? Visit 20/20 Sight & Style in Mornington for comprehensive children’s vision assessments.
If you are looking for a Children’s Eye Test near Frankston, visit the experienced Behavioural Optometrists at 20/20 Sight & Style in Mornington. With additional post-Grad degrees in Paediatric Vision care, our Optometrists provide comprehensive children’s vision assessments for families from Frankston and throughout the Mornington Peninsula.
A child may be able to see letters clearly on an eye chart while still experiencing problems with with focussing, eye tracking, eye co-ordination or Visual Processing. Our children’s eye tests examine more than eyesight alone. We assess how effectively your child’s eyes work together and how comfortably they use their vision when reading, writing, learning and participating in everyday activities.
Whether your child is experiencing headaches, difficulty reading, reduced concentration or changes in their school performance, a comprehensive vision assessment can help identify whether a visual difficulty may be contributing.
All Ages
Children to seniors
Behavioural
Optometry qualified
What Does a Children’s Eye Test Include?
Every child is different, so their eye examination will be tailored to their age, development, symptoms and individual needs. Before the assessment, our optometrist will discuss your concerns and ask about your child’s general health, development, family eye history and school experience.
Depending on your child’s needs, their assessment may examine:
- Distance and near eyesight
- Evidence of and/or risk factors for Short-sightedness,Long-sightedness or Astigmatism
- The ability to sustain and control focussing skills
- Eye movement and tracking skills
- How effectively the eyes work together
- Depth perception (3D vision) and ability to use spatial skills
- Colour vision
- Eye Alignment and risk for turned or "lazy" eyes
- Visual Processing and Perceptual skills
- The internal and external health of the eyes
- Visual skills associated with reading and learning
Testing can be adapted for children of different ages and does not depend entirely on your child being able to read an eye chart. We utilise equipment and tools that can independantly measure focussing abilities and Vision. We also have many tests that incorporate use of toys and cartoons for young children to be engaged with, whilst we assess their vision.
Children’s Vision and Learning
Reading and classroom activities require several visual skills to work together. A child must be able to focus at close range, move their eyes accurately across a page, keep words clear and coordinate both eyes comfortably. They also need to make sense of what they see through Visual Processing, to achieve valuable meaning and comprehension.
When one or more of these skills is not working efficiently, a child may find reading tiring or frustrating. They may lose their place, avoid homework, read slowly or struggle to remember what they have read.
A Children’s Vision Assessment does not diagnose Dyslexia or other learning conditions. However, it can identify visual difficulties that may make reading and learning more challenging. Where appropriate, our Optometrists can work alongside Teachers, Paediatricians and other health or Educational Professionals involved in your child’s care.
Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Test
Children can display a range of signs when they are experiencing a visual difficulty. Consider arranging a Children’s Eye Test near Frankston if your child:
- Complains of headaches or tired eyes
- Rubs their eyes frequently
- Blinks excessively during close work
- Holds books or screens very close
- Covers or closes one eye when reading
- Loses their place or skips words while reading
- Uses their finger to follow words across a page
- Avoids reading, homework or other close activities
- Has difficulty maintaining concentration
- Experiences blurry or double vision
- Reverses letters or words
- Has poor hand-eye coordination
- Struggles to copy information from the board
- Sits unusually close to the television
- Has a turned or wandering eye
- Experiences an unexplained change in school performance
These signs do not always mean that your child has a vision problem, but a comprehensive assessment can help determine whether their Vision is at the level required for them to achieve in the classroom. It will also identify risk factors for any possible deterioration in Vision, should some intervention not occur.
Behavioural Optometry for Children
Behavioural Optometry considers how a child uses their Vision rather than looking only at how clearly they can see. It examines the connection between the eyes, brain and body and how effectively the entire Visual System performs during everyday activities.
At 20/20 Sight & Style, our Behavioural Optometrists have additional qualifications, training and experience in assessing children with visual concerns that may affect reading, learning, coordination and concentration.
A Behavioural Vision assessment may be recommended for children experiencing:
- Visually related learning difficulties
- Poor eye tracking
- Focusing difficulties
- Problems with eye coordination
- Amblyopia, commonly called lazy eye
- Strabismus, commonly called a turned eye
- Reduced Visual Memory or Visual-spatial skills
- Difficulty processing Visual information
Following the assessment, we will explain the findings clearly and discuss whether glasses, Vision Therapy, monitoring or another form of support may be appropriate.
Why Frankston Families Choose 20/20 Sight & Style
Families travelling from Frankston receive thorough, individualised care from experienced Independent Behavioural Optometrists. We take the time to understand your concerns, explain the results and recommend an appropriate plan for your child.
When you choose 20/20 Sight & Style, you can expect:
- Experienced Behavioural Optometrists with additional qualifications in Paediatric Eyecare
- Comprehensive children’s vision assessments
- Age-appropriate testing
- Ongoing preventative Vision Care, as your child develops and advances through higher levels of Learning
- Advanced diagnostic technology
- Clear explanations and personalised recommendations
- Vision Therapy services where appropriate
- Ongoing care as your child grows and develops
Our practice is located at 161 Main Street, Mornington and welcomes children and families from Frankston and surrounding areas.
Book a Children’s Eye Test
If you have concerns about your child’s eyesight, reading, concentration or visual development, book a comprehensive assessment with 20/20 Sight & Style. For families searching for a Children’s Eye Test, our Mornington practice provides thorough and personalised children’s eye care within convenient travelling distance of Frankston.
Call 03 5973 5520 or use our online booking form to make an appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children can have their vision assessed from a young age, even before they can read. In the "perfect world" we would test your child at ages 6 mths, 2-3 yrs of age, before they start school and then at least every two years, unless they have symptoms (when of course they should be brought in earlier). We can even test a Newborns eyes however, so don't feel they are ever too young to have their first Eye Test.
A school screening can identify some eyesight concerns, but it may not assess every aspect of your child’s visual system. A comprehensive eye examination can evaluate Eye Health, Focussing skills, Tracking, Eye Co-ordination and Visual Efficiency and Visual Processing. We can also pick up on signs that indicate possible future changes in Vision, and so prevent them before they occur.
Visual difficulties can make reading, writing and classroom activities more tiring or challenging. An eye examination can determine whether a vision problem may be contributing to the difficulties your child is experiencing.
A standard eye test generally assesses eyesight, prescription requirements and eye health. A Behavioural assessment still covers these areas, but also looks at Visual Efficiency skills including tracking, sustaining focus and eye co-ordination. Furthermore, information-processing can be evaluated, which means even a child with "perfect eyesight" can still have a Visual problem that may influence their Learning Capacity.
Not every child who has an eye test needs glasses. Recommendations will depend on the results of the assessment and may include more regular reviews, Vision Therapy, counselling on lifestyle habits that may affect Visual development, part-time Glasses for preventative Vision Care, or Contact Lenses where appropriate. Referral may also be suggested for other assessments, if indicated.
Call 20/20 Sight & Style on 03 5973 5520 or book online via the link below.