What is Behavioural Optometry?

 

Behavioural Optometry is a holistic approach to vision and learning. 87% of all learning is done through vision, 6% through hearing and 7% from the rest of the body. A Behavioural  optometrist  uses lenses and vision therapy to maximize visual efficiency, facilitating the learning process.

My name is Orla MacNaeidhe and I am a fully qualified optometrist and have been practicing for the last 19 years. In the past few years I have taken a special interest in children with special educational needs and how they can be helped in optometric practice.

Who can benefit?

Children who are experiencing difficulty in school particularly those with a diagnosis of 

  • Dyslexia
  • Dyspraxia
  • ADD or ADHD
  • Aspergers syndrome

If your child does any of the following: 

  • Skips words when reading
  • Complains of headaches at the end of the school day
  • Has poor co-ordination when playing sports
  • Has difficulty concentrating on tasks
  • Complains that words “jump” on the page when attempting to read
  • Blinks or rubs eyes
  • Has poor handwriting
  • Reverses letters
  • Has difficulty distinguishing left from right past the age of 7

He or she might benefit from vision therapy.