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CHILDREN'S EYE EXAMINATIONS

A child’s vision is crucial to development and learning

Because vision is crucial to a child’s development and learning, children should have regular eye examinations. Barry & Sargent Optometrists specialise in children’s vision examinations and also offer vision therapy (also known as vision training).

Your child may not be aware that their vision is causing them trouble or they may pretend there is nothing wrong. We recommend children should have a comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist before starting school and regularly throughout their academic years to identify any problems as soon as possible.

 

Children should have a comprehensive eye examination before starting school.

Your child’s vision and visual skills are important for reading. When reading, it is necessary for a child to keep their place along a line of text while moving from word to word (saccades), as well as keeping the page in focus at the same time (focusing skills). Eye teaming is also important for keeping attention on the page. A child with eye movement, teaming or focusing difficulties is more likely to have difficulty with reading, particularly as a child progresses through more difficult reading levels.

Barry & Sargent Optometrists also offer vision therapy to make vision more efficient so that the brain processes visual information more effectively. This includes improving eye movement, focusing and binocularity (using both eyes together) skills and integrating vision and movement, listening and spatial awareness.

 

Regular eye examinations for children during their academic years can help identify vision problems as soon as possible.

If your child mentions any difficulty seeing, or if their teacher is concerned about their reading or progress at school, it is worthwhile booking an eye examination for your child. No referral is required but we receive referrals from school vision screenings and learning support.

Enable New Zealand Spectacle Subsidy is available for Community Services Card holders for children 15 years old or younger, providing a subsidy towards the child’s eye examination and glasses.