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 primary school aged children we do the assessment over two 45minute sessions (on seperate days) as the tests are very tiring and we want to obtain the best results possible.

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).

To download a pdf questionnaire click on the link below. You can then post this back to us (please ensure you have put your email address on the questionnaire). We would also like copies (or at least sight) of any relevant reports that other specialists have produced one week prior to the assessment.

Visual Assessments take place Tuesday to 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).

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 we will discuss the findings with you and outline a treatment strategy. Two written reports will be sent to you within three weeks of the assessment; one report for your information and the second, in the case of children, for school.

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:

• Click here to go to www.babo.co.uk
• Click here to go to www.oep.org
• Click here to go to www.covd.org

Questionnaire