Common Eye Exams vs. Developmental Vision Evaluations
Yes! There is a significant difference.
We’ve all experienced eye exams. Most optometrists check general eye health and our ability to see 20/20, then write a prescription for glasses or contact lenses as needed.
These eyesight elements of vision are important, but they only address a small portion of the overall picture of optimal visual health.
We can have 20/20 eyesight and still experience significant vision-related issues that adversely affect our performance, learning, moods, physical abilities, behavior, and overall health.
Something most people don't know...
7 Areas of Visual Sensory Processing
There are seven areas that relate to visual sensory processing — only one of which is eyesight. Take a moment, beginning with “Eyesight” at the top of the accompanying chart, then continuing in a clockwise rotation, and read each element along with its brief description.
As you can see, vision is much more than 20/20 eyesight.
Developmental Vision Evaluations Uncover Critical Issues Missed by Basic Eye Exams
Developmental Vision Evaluations include everything found in basic eye exams, plus much more that address concerns many parents don’t realize may be vision-related, such as:
- reversal of letters or numbers when reading
- reading comprehension, even when a child can read all the words
- recognition of patterns (sight word reading, spelling, and decoding)
- behaviors often thought to be ADHD or Dyslexia
- …and more.
The root causes behind these and other struggles are missed in common eye exams.
Schedule a Developmental Vision Evaluation for Your Child Today!
Call our Patient Care Coordinators at 385.330.1470 or schedule online.
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Basic Eye Exams vs. Developmental Vision Evaluations
Here’s a look at what is covered in each...
A common eye exam (performed by most general optometrists and ophthalmologists) includes:
- Acuity (testing for 20/20 eyesight)
- Basic eye health evaluation
- A prescription for corrective lenses (if your eyesight is weaker than 20/20)
A Developmental Vision Evaluation administered by a neuro-developmental optometrist at ACHIEVE includes:
- Acuity (testing for 20/20 eyesight)
- Advanced eye health evaluation
- Vision processing assessments, including:
Eye teaming, tracking, and focusing; peripheral vision, and depth perception - Treatment options that go beyond corrective lenses to sustainably overcome vision-related learning challenges and improve vision for reading, writing, and sports
- When appropriate, a prescription that provides clear eyesight to work in concert with other visual functions to meet the demands of all facets of our busy lives
- Access to our network of providers (OT, auditory processing specialists, speech/language, reading tutors, mental health providers, etc.) who can address the other components of your child’s difficulties with reading, writing, and learning
Every ACHIEVE Patient Revives Our Comprehensive Developmental Vision Evaluation
While common eye exams correct eyesight, they may or may not address a given patient’s entire visual deficit. Developmental Vision Evaluations rule out other vision-related issues, giving patients and parents answers to core issues that may otherwise go unaddressed.
This is why, at ACHIEVE, we only perform these complete evaluations. This is also one of the reasons local optometrists refer patients to us whose challenges aren’t corrected by traditional glasses or contact lenses.
Get the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the entire picture when it comes to your family’s vision by scheduling your Developmental Vision Evaluations at ACHIEVE.
When you’re ready to find answers, we’re here to help you uncover them.
To make an appointment, call our knowledgeable Patient Care Coordinators at 385.330.1470 or schedule your appointment online today.
We look forward to serving you!
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You may find our Vision-Related Learning Challenges Questionnaire helpful in determining whether your child's struggles call for a Developmental Vision Evaluation.
Not sure if this is what you're looking for?
Look at some other common reasons parents bring their children to ACHIEVE
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ACHIEVE Is a Cash-Pay Clinic
We don't accept insurance, but your HSA is welcome here!
Insurance is a frustrating mess.
This isn't news to anyone who has had a claim only covered in part (or not at all).
We have chosen to step away from these frustrations that, in many cases, leave our patients paying about as much as they would with a self-pay approach. This allows us to focus on what matters most: our patients and their families.
We work hard to keep our rates reasonable while providing specialized services that, in most cases, insurance doesn't cover.
We hope you see this approach as an up-front benefit that avoids back-end frustrations and unexpected expenses.
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