Our focus on near vision skills underpinning reading

h2 Vision Centres has a specialist interest in paediatric eye care. our clinic puts a great emphasis on evidence-based in-depth assessment of dynamic aspects of eye coordination and focusing abilities, especially when a child reads. This is an area that is often overlooked, as children with these issues, still tend to have perfect distance vision. Medicare has recognised the necessity of these evidence-based tests of eye coordination and focusing by adding a specific item number to allow extra time during a child’s eye examination to investigate beyond just distance vision.

Signs that parents can look out for may include:

• Unexplained headaches after close work or on school days
• Holding reading material or electronic devices very close
• Squinting or closing of one eye
• Blinking excessively
• Avoiding reading
• Skipping or confusing small (known) words.

Correction of focusing and eye coordination deficits causing problems with children maintaining focus at near can lead to a remarkable change in the child who is now free to access their learning uninhibited by a visual learning problem.

A/Professor Hartley once said: “I have found many children who have an easily treated vision deficit, have lost belief in themselves and given up because of difficulty maintaining concentration when doing near vision tasks. A thorough near point examination should be conducted to eliminate vision problems in all children who present with difficulty maintaining visual concentration.”

Adding to this Mark Hartley: “Correcting these problems lets the child see how smart they really are, often restoring their self-esteem and allowing them to reach their potential”

Myopia in children

Myopia is now viewed as an epidemic in many Asian countries.

Vision problems are increasing as children get older and research is finding that the genetic pre-disposition for myopia or short-sightedness can be ‘activated when children perform prolonged close work, for example using tablets and smart phones – an increasing occurrence in today’s modern world.

our clinic uses evidence based treatments to decrease the progression of myopia in children.

Treatments can include:

• Atropine 0.01% eyedrops instilled each night
• Special contact lenses to reduce peripheral defocus on the retina
• Recommendation to spend at least spend one hour outdoors each day
• Orthokeratology contact lenses worn each night
• Regular six monthly reviews

If you are a concerned parent and suspect your child might need specialist myopia assessment and treatment please contact h2 Vision Centres today.

Paediatric Optometry Alignment Program – Aligned Optometrist with Children’s Health Queensland

Dr Tracy and h2 Vision Centres are now a proud part of the aligned optometrist list and participate in assessment of children who fail the vision screening part of the prep assessment through Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program.

If you have any questions or you’d like more information, contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.