Eye disorders are among the most common long-term health problems experienced by children. Good vision is important for a child’s physical and social development, and their ability to learn effectively.
Early detection allows for intervention and correction. Children may not realise they have an eye problem or tell anyone that their sight is impaired. Optometrists are best placed to assess a child’s vision and diagnose a visual problem.
All Medicare eligible consultations are bulk billed for children under 18 years. This includes our Children’s Clinic and advanced Myopia and Binocular Vision clinics in Carlton, as well as services provided at the ACO’s network of satellite clinics.
Signs your child may have a vision problem:
- Blurred or double vision
- Sore or tired eyes
- Headaches
- Eye rubbing
- Squinting
- Sitting too close to things (such as TV)
- Holding a book very close
- Difficulty reading
- Night vision problems
- One or both eyes look different or abnormal
- Tilting the head
When should a child get their eyes tested?
Children should have a full eye examination before starting school and then regularly as they progress through school. Children should also get their eyes tested if there is a change in vision or if you think there may be an issue.
Primary eye care for children
We offer primary care services for all children. Our dedicated optometrists are experienced in diagnosing and treating children of all ages and they will provide comprehensive testing including assessment and advice on:
- Vision and need for glasses or contact lenses
- Eye movements and function
- Ocular health
We have an extensive range of affordable frames and lenses to suit children of all ages
Advanced eye care for children
The ACO can provide advanced children’s vision services. These services include diagnostic assessment and management of eye turn, lazy eye, myopia progression and binocular vision problems. We are experienced at working with all children, including infants and children with special needs.
Myopia Control
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly during childhood. The prevalence among 12 year old Australian children has doubled in the last 6 years. The ACO offers a specialised myopia clinic at our central Carlton location. Following a thorough examination of your child’s refraction, binocular vision and ocular health, our experienced optometrists will help you determine the best treatment for your child.
Current treatments for controlling myopia progression include Atropine eye drops, multifocal contact lenses, Orthokeratology (“ortho-k”) and multifocal eyeglasses.
Binocular Vision
The ACO offers vision assessment and management for children with developmental delays, learning difficulties and specific medical conditions. Our advanced services include the diagnostic assessment and management of strabismus (turned eye), amblyopia (lazy eye), binocular vision problems and developmental visual information processing.
