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Visual Assessment

What is a Visual Assessment?
Behavioural optometrists have developed ways of examining the whole of the visual system to determine if there are any developmental problems which effect the gathering and processing of visual information, and how vision is integrated with the auditory and balance systems.

These more in-depth examinations have become known as visual assessments. A visual assessment covers many additional intensive tests and measurements, which would not be covered in a routine NHS Sight Test and typically lasts 90 minutes. For younger children and with those with issues relating to concentration the assessment is split up into shorter sessions on seperate days as the tests are very tiring and we need to obtain reliable results.

What does it tell you?
A full visual assessment will examine more than just sight. We probe the visual system identifying any areas where there are deficiencies in the gathering or processing of visual information. We also look at how well integrated vison is with the auditory and motor systems. This allows us to assess issues such as problems with writing and word recognition versus phonetic reading. These tests have been standardised having age normative data (with large samples) available. This enables judgments to be made as to how an individual compares to an “average” individual of their age. The assessment is tailored for the symptoms, the age and ability of each patient. These results also act as a baseline enabling us to measure the effectiveness of any subsequent treatments.

Before a visual assessment can be booked a detailed questionnaire needs to be completed and returned to us. This will enable us to choose the most appropriate tests for you. It also will highlight if there are no symptoms related to vision, in which case a visual assessment may not be appropriate. We will contact you (normally by email) to discuss the questionnaire,clarify any queries and highlight any concerns prior to booking the assessment (we will phone you with dates).

We would also like copies (or at least sight) of any relevant reports that other specialists have produced at least one week prior to the assessment.

Visual Assessments take place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, during our behavioural clinics. We strongly recommend that the assessment is at a time when the person is at their best and we therefore do not offer evening or after school appointments (unless under exceptional circumstances). Where somone is already tired or unwell the results that we obtain will be unreliable and will necessitate the assessment suspension. For younger children or those who struggle to concentrate the assessment will be split into several shorter sessions.

Check List For An Assessment

  • Loose comfortable clothing should be worn as gross movement assessments and testing for primitive reflexes require lots of floor activities. Skirts should not be worn.
  • In the case of under 18 year olds a parent or guardian must stay with them during the whole assessment. As well as acting as a chaperon it also allows you to see first hand what is being assessed and what the results are. Where possible we would encourage both parents to attend.
  • For adults being assessed you are welcome to have a friend or relative accompany you
  • It is not appropriate to have siblings accompaning, as this can be quite distracting for the person being assessed. Where childcare is an issue a seperate room can be provided but this is not supervised and activites should be provided by you.
  • Cancelation policy for assessments is that a minimum of 24 hours notice is required or a fee will be levied. An answer mahine is able to take cancelation messages out of office hours.
  • Payment will be required at the end of the assessment

What happens after a Visual Assessment?
A visual assessment is vital to determine if there are visual problems and to quantify them. However on its own it will not resolve the problems identified, it must therefore be seen as a starting point rather than as an end in itself. For the majority of patients the next step will be to start Vision Therapy, please read that section.

Following a visual assessment our behavioural optometrist will produce a written report which will discuss the findings of the assessment and outline a treatment strategy. We nornally send two copies of the report and this will be completed and sent to you within five weeks of the assessment. We suggest that a copy of the report is given to school or college in the case of students and to employers or other professionals involved in assessment and treatment.

Better outcomes are achieved when there is good collaboration with schools. We would, with your permission want to work as closely with your child's school as possible.

If you would like further information we have a number of articles, and an information pack which you can down load. There are also several web sites that you may find useful some of which are listed below:

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