Functional Vision Assessments for Children
All children who come to Vision Australia will already have had contact with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) prior to their referral and depending on their age, had their visual acuity measured in the doctor's rooms.
The doctor will have provided a diagnosis and prognosis for the eye condition. Often parents find this doctor's visit quite stressful. They may have many unanswered questions and want practical information as to the implications any visual loss might have for education and life skills.
A functional vision assessment by a Vision Australia orthoptist will give parents this practical information on vision. It will look at how well a child is using their vision in every day life. After the vision assessment there will be time for parents to ask questions and raise issues of concern.
How does this functional assessment differ from an ophthalmologic assessment?
Our assessment does not require the child to have any eye drops and we do not prescribe glasses. It will not give you a diagnosis of the child's eye condition. We rely on the reports given by your ophthalmologist for that information. It is helpful for us to have a current letter from your ophthalmologist.
What can a functional visual assessment tell you about your child?
The assessment will help you understand exactly what your child can see in every day life.
The assessment will:
- Give you as accurately as possible a visual acuity reading for both near and distance and explain the readings.
- Help to explain how a child is functioning with their level of vision.
- Provide strategies and ideas on how to make the best use of available vision or to make adaptations to make the visual world easier to understand.
- Give you a comparison of levels of vision to other children of the same age.
- Look at other related areas of vision such as depth perception and colour vision where appropriate.
- Give you information as to how vision is impacting on your child=s mobility and play skills.
- Give you ideas about how your child will best learn at school and what aids might be appropriate for schooling.
Vision assessments prior to starting school
Assessing functional vision prior to starting school will provide advice to the school on creating a safe environment and to the class teacher on adapting the classroom to your child=s needs.
It will help determine the best methods for learning, such as whether to use large print, Braille, or other aids such as magnifiers. It will also provide the basis for your child's school to apply for funding for extra classroom help or modifications.
Schools often request that these assessments are completed by September of the year prior to starting school so they can apply for the appropriate funding and to allow time for any modifications to the school environment to be carried out.
What happens at the assessment?
A mutually convenient time is made for the assessment. Most assessments take at least an hour as many aspects of vision are covered.
A written report to parents follows the assessment, outlining and explaining the result. This includes recommendations for making the best use of visual abilities.
The report can also be made available to other people at the parents' request. This may include organisations such as preschools and schools, therapists working with the child and the ophthalmologist.
Families can request a draft of the report prior to the report's circulation. These assessments do not replace the regular checks with an ophthalmologist, but they provide additional information about a child=s visual performance and needs.
How often is an assessment needed?
After each assessment, the orthoptist will recommend when you should bring your child back for their next assessment.
Assessments are often conducted prior to children starting childcare, preschool, or school so that current information can be made available to other agencies working with your child.
The timing for your child's assessment is best discussed with your Vision Australia service coordinator.
Summary
A functional vision assessment by an orthoptist can offer parents a detailed look at their child's visual performance and advise on how their child can best use their visual abilities in various settings.
Contact us
Call: 1300 84 74 66
TTY: 02 9334 3260
Fax: 02 9747 5993
Website: www.visionaustralia.org
Street Address (State Head Offices)
NSW and ACT: 4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136
Queensland: 373 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo Qld 4151
Victoria: 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144
Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.
This page last updated: 21 October 2009