Developmental eye exams provide crucial insights into visual processing and coordination skills. Our expert eye doctors are dedicated to helping you or your child enhance performance in academics and sports.
Developmental eye exams are a specialized type of evaluation focused on how well your eyes work together and process information. They are designed to uncover strengths and weaknesses in a variety of visual skills that directly impact learning, sports performance, and daily activities. These exams go beyond simply measuring visual acuity and check for subtle yet important aspects of visual function.
Developmental eye exams consist of a series of tests that assess the way our visual system processes, interprets, and responds to information. Unlike routine eye exams that primarily check for refractive errors and ocular health, these exams delve deeper into visual motor integration, perception, auditory/visual integration, tracking, and even gross motor skills. In other words, these exams evaluate how our eyes and brain work as a team when reading, writing, and interacting with our environment.
Our eye doctors use a set of specialized tests—often grouped under the term “Developmental Vision Analysis (DVA)”—to determine if there are areas where visual information processing may be lagging. This comprehensive approach helps pinpoint specific difficulties that might be causing challenges in school, during sports, or in everyday activities.
If a child or adult experiences challenges that go beyond simply needing corrective lenses, a developmental eye exam may be the necessary next step. These exams are particularly helpful for those who have trouble processing visual information, regardless of having a standard 20/20 acuity. Here are some signs that an evaluation might be needed:
These symptoms may not always be directly attributed to a vision problem, which is why our eye doctors take a comprehensive approach to testing. They work closely with parents, educators, and other professionals to rule out other causes and provide personalized recommendations.
Contact us today to schedule a developmental eye exam and take the first step towards optimal visual function.
The strength of developmental eye exams lies in their multifaceted approach. Each component of the exam evaluates a unique aspect of visual function. Here’s an overview of what is typically assessed:
This testing area measures how effectively visual information is used to guide motor responses. It looks at your ability to coordinate what you see with how you move your body. Tests in this category assess:
Visual perception testing evaluates how well you interpret and make sense of visual information. During this part of the exam, our eye doctors look for abilities such as:
This portion of the exam explores how well the brain combines auditory information with visual cues. Many tests in this section help determine how efficiently your brain can manage both types of information simultaneously. This integration is critical for tasks like following spoken instructions while reading or participating in group activities.
Eye movement control is another key assessment in developmental eye exams. Tests in this category measure:
Though it may seem removed from visual function, gross motor screening is also an integral part of developmental eye exams. This section checks the overall coordination and balance, which are often influenced by how the brain processes visual information. For instance, trouble with eye-hand coordination can affect a child’s ability to engage in sports or even perform daily tasks.
Understanding what happens during a developmental eye exam can help ease any concerns you might have. Typically, the process is broken into distinct stages, each aimed at thoroughly evaluating different aspects of visual processing and motor skills.
First, our eye doctors will review a comprehensive case history. They ask questions about academic performance, developmental milestones, and any signs of visual challenges. This initial conversation helps tailor the evaluation to focus on your or your child’s unique needs.
Next, you will undergo a series of testing sessions that can take up to 1.5 hours, depending on the responses and the specific areas being evaluated. These tests, administered by trained vision therapists under the supervision of our experienced doctors, are designed not only to detect deficiencies but also to highlight the patient’s strengths.
Contact us today to schedule a developmental eye exam and take the first step towards optimal visual function.
Developmental eye exams assess visual processing skills for effective learning and coordination. Ensure optimal vision health today.
