If you have concerns about your or your child’s vision we encourage you to call our office and schedule a complimentary phone consultation. You’ll talk with one of our optometrists about the signs and symptoms you’re seeing that are interfering with life and may be related to a functional vision problem. These could include problems with vision development or rehabilitation from a brain injury. We’ll review how vision could be interfering with critical tasks like reading, writing, attention, learning, motor coordination, sports, work, and many more. If there are many of the signs and symptoms of vision problems we frequently treat, we will walk you through the steps of our evaluation process and schedule an appointment when you’re ready.

We will also discuss what to expect at our specialty optometry practice and answer any questions.

During the evaluation process, we test over 30 visual skills over two separate appointments for an extensive vision exam.

We start with a Neuro Developmental Vision Exam for children, or a Neuro Functional Vision Evaluation for adults. This exam takes about an hour and a half, and will test every visual skill that is essential for thriving in the classroom, sports, work, and life. These skills include eye teaming, eye focusing, eye tracking, reading eye movements, depth perception, just to name a few. We test way beyond the ability to see 20/20 far away, and will focus on reading vision ability or other problem areas. Throughout this exam, Dr. Neil or Dr. Claire will discuss each test and the skill that it’s assessing.

The 2nd appointment, called the Perceptual Vision Exam, assesses how the brain processes, interprets and uses all of the visual information coming from the eyes. This includes visual skills and abilities needed to read, take meaning, and comprehend what is seen when reading. Because vision is so important for learning, we need to see where visual processing is impacting schoolwork, reading, memory, and processing ability. In addition, this appointment may also test balance and mobility, handwriting, peripheral and spacial awareness, laterality, motion sensitivity, bilateral body coordination, and sports vision skills like reaction time. These tests will aid in understanding how complex the vision problem is, how long it could take to resolve or rehabilitate, and how to tailor the individualized program. Your optometrist will also trial therapeutic lenses that address their diagnoses.

During this appointment, we will also spend some time with you to discuss insurance, planning, goals and answer your questions. We want to ensure you have a great understanding of how everything works in our practice and what you can expect at the consultation.

During the 3rd appointment, Dr. Neil or Dr. Claire will go over the results of the two exams and how each diagnosis relates to real life and activities of daily living. They will discuss the severity and prognosis, expectations for the individualized vision therapy program, any therapeutic lens prescription and accommodations for work and school. During this hour-long appointment, you will also meet with our Patient Care Coordinator to discuss fees, scheduling, where to send the report, which Vision Therapist would be the best fit, and other logistics. You will have plenty of time to ask questions.

Once this process is complete, we can begin the journey toward the best vision of your life.