Childrens Eye Tests and Behavioural Optometry
A child’s vision is essential to learning, movement, reading, writing and overall confidence. At Lamas & Brown Optometrists, we provide detailed childrens eye tests that assess far more than whether a child needs glasses. Our examinations explore how the eyes track, focus, work together and process what they see, because vision is a whole-body, whole-brain system.
If you searched for eye test for kids, childrens eye tests near me or need expert help from a paediatric-trained optometrist, our team offers comprehensive care for children across Alstonville, Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Wollongbar, Lennox Head and nearby regions.
Our Approach: Childrens Eye Tests Differently
Traditional sight checks do not always reveal the full picture. Children may see clearly yet struggle with reading, concentration, hand-eye coordination or school performance due to underlying visual mechanics.
Our children’s assessments explore three crucial areas of vision.
We test for:
- Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
- Short-sightedness (myopia)
- Astigmatism
Even slight focusing errors can affect reading ease, classroom performance and visual comfort.
Eye Tracking
We check whether your child’s eyes can move smoothly across a line of text and accurately shift to the next line. Poor tracking leads to skipping words, losing place or slow reading.
Eye Teaming (Binocular Vision)
We assess how well the eyes work together as a team. Difficulties can cause double vision, headaches, avoidance of reading and poor comprehension.
Eye Focusing (Accommodation)
We measure how effectively your child can change focus between near and far tasks, an essential skill for classroom learning, especially when switching between desk work and the board.
Clear sight is only the first step. The brain must interpret visual information correctly. We evaluate:
Visual Motor Integration
Can your child draw, write or copy accurately? This affects handwriting, drawing, copying from the board and coordination tasks.
Visual Memory
Can they remember what they have just seen? This influences spelling, reading comprehension and learning new words or patterns.
Visual Auditory Integration
Are they able to express what they see in words? This skill is important for answering questions, explaining work and following instructions.
Laterality and Directionality
Do they confidently understand left and right? Do letters like b and d cause confusion? Difficulties in this area can affect reading, writing and spatial awareness.
Signs a Child May Need an Eye Test
A childrens eye test is recommended if your child experiences:
- Frequent headaches
- Skipping lines when reading
- Rubbing their eyes often
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoiding homework or reading
- Complaints of blurry words
- Holding books too close
- Clumsiness or poor coordination
- Slow reading progress
- Loss of place on the page
Many children assume their vision is “normal” and do not know how to describe what they see. A detailed assessment provides clarity and reassurance for both parents and teachers.
Behavioural Optometry for Children
Behavioural optometry looks deeper into how vision interacts with movement, cognition, balance and learning. Our optometrists have advanced training in this area, allowing us to identify and treat issues that are often missed in basic screenings.
This is especially important for children with:
- Dyslexia-like symptoms
- Developmental delays
- Autism spectrum conditions
- Attention challenges
- Reading difficulties
- Poor handwriting
- Learning fatigue
Behavioural optometry provides insight into how visual stress affects performance and confidence, helping children feel more capable and less frustrated.
Signs a Child May Need an Eye Test
A childrens eye test is recommended if your child experiences:
- Frequent headaches
- Skipping lines when reading
- Rubbing their eyes often
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoiding homework or reading
- Complaints of blurry words
- Holding books too close
- Clumsiness or poor coordination
- Slow reading progress
- Loss of place on the page
Many children assume their vision is “normal” and do not know how to describe what they see. A detailed assessment provides clarity and reassurance for both parents and teachers.
Vision Therapy — Strengthening Visual Skills
Vision therapy helps children develop stronger focusing, tracking, teaming and visual processing abilities. Our therapists use structured activities tailored to each child, including:
- Gross motor exercises
- Eye-hand coordination tasks
- Eye tracking training
- Visual discrimination tasks
- Processing and memory exercises
- Left/right and spatial-awareness training
The therapy program follows a developmental sequence:
- Body awareness and coordination
- Recognising two eyes and how they work together
- Equalising eye performance
- Developing strong binocular coordination
- Strengthening focusing and tracking
- Refining visual processing
This structured approach leads to measurable improvements in reading stamina, comfort and fluency.
Eye Tests for School-Aged Children
Many parents book children’s eye tests when their child is preparing for school or experiencing academic challenges. Early assessment ensures that vision is not holding them back and provides valuable information for teachers and allied health professionals.
Eye Tests for Teens
Teenagers using screens heavily may experience headaches, fatigue, blurry vision or difficulty switching focus. Regular testing helps prevent long-term strain and supports academic performance, sport and driving.
Supporting Learning and Confidence
When visual skills improve, parents often report:
- Better reading fluency
- Fewer homework battles
- Greater confidence
- Better coordination
- Improved attention
- More comfortable posture
- Enhanced motivation
If you’re searching for childrens eye tests, eye test for kids or expert paediatric care, our clinicians are ready to help.
Book an appointment at our Wollongbar or Casino clinic today.