What Is Behavioral Vision Care?

Take our Vision Quiz to learn whether you should explore Vision Therapy

What is the difference between a comprehensive eye exam and a behavioral eye exam?

A comprehensive eye exam includes a full battery of assessment, but it’s less comprehensive regarding visual skills and the functional component of vision.

A behavioral exam includes a comprehensive eye exam, however in addition, the visual function of the patient is evaluated. This means the behavioral optometrist will test how you respond to the visual demands of day to day life, such as reading, using the computer, and physical performance, just to name a few. Behavioral vision care includes more than checking how well you can see the eye chart. It ensures that all of your visual skills are functioning in an ideal way so that both eyes are in sync with each other and communicating properly with the brain.

Do you suffer from

Eye strain?
Headaches?
Double or blurry vision?
Poor depth perception?
Have poor color contrast?
Poor eye hand coordination?
Difficulty with sports performance?
Challenges with reading or doing activities up close?

If you answered yes to any of these or you experience a vast range of other symptoms which may or may not seem to be related to your eyes, you can consult with a behavioral optometrist. The first appointment is anyways an evaluation in the form of a special eye exam and this assesses whether you can benefit from behavioral vision care.

What is behavioral vision care helpful for?

The goal of behavioral vision care is to help strengthen visual skills which are necessary to thrive with the visual demands of everyday life. This means that there are many advantages which are useful for strengthening and treating so many various conditions and skills, including:

Eye hand coordination
Focus
Eye tracking
Depth perception
Reading and learning
Lazy eye or crossed eyes
Digital eye strain
Sports performance
Brain injury rehabilitation
Self confidence

What are treatment options for behavioral optometry?

A behavioral optometrist will customize a treatment plan for your specific visual needs. After a complete assessment, it becomes clear which visual aspects and skills require strengthening and training. This can be achieved using:

Optical corrections such as glasses or contact lenses
Prisms which are special lenses that bend the light in different directions
Filters are used as different colors can provide various benefits
Vision therapy which is a discipline that uses exercises and various activities involving your eyes to train and strengthen different visual skills

Many treatment plans involve more than one method, depending on the needs of the patient.

Summary

Behavioral Vision Care is more than an eye exam, it is a systematic assessment of all the visual processes that are necessary for daily visual demands.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.