Neuro-Optometry Eye Exam

A Neuro-Optometry Exam checks how the eyes and brain work together. It looks at visual skills that may affect recovery, reading, learning, or daily performance.

In addition, this exam goes deeper than a basic eye health check. It can help children with reading or learning struggles and people with visual symptoms after concussion, brain injury, or other neurological concerns.

“Vision Problems are often Mislabelled as ADHD!”

What a Neuro-Optometry Exam Assesses

Our neuro-optometry exam goes beyond standard tests to evaluate the brain-eye connection.

For example, people recovering from head trauma may notice changes in eye teaming, focusing, tracking, or visual processing. Our Concussion & Brain Injury page explains how vision problems can appear after a concussion or brain injury.

Also, the American Optometric Association vision rehabilitation resource explains how neuro-optometric services support people with vision-related problems linked to neurological disease, trauma, or brain injury.

Binocular Vision Function (Eye Teaming)

Convergence (eyes moving inwards) and divergence (eyes moving outwards) abilities need to be assessed. Problems can be diagnosed as convergence insufficiency, convergence excess, or binocular vision dysfunction. Double vision or movement of print can occur with such dysfunctions. They are also common in individuals who have suffered a concussion.

Accommodative Disorders (Focusing)

Accommodation ability is measured by using lenses to determine the ability of the brain to control how and where the eyes are focusing. Problems are often diagnosed as accommodative insufficiency or accommodative dysfunction. Blurring of vision when reading or troubles transitioning your focus from near to far are common symptoms.

Oculomotor Dysfunctions (Eye Tracking)

Too often, during a basic eye exam, an individual follows a target to see if there are any restrictions in gaze and when this is normal, it is implied that the eye tracking is normal. These two things are not the same. Saccadic (eye movement) abilities have been shown to be affected by concussions and can be an indicator of brain injury.

Peripheral Integration

Our central visual system is what our brain uses for seeing clearly and identifying what we are looking at. Our peripheral visual system is what our brain uses for processing movement, guiding our balance, and coordinating and integrating. Problems in this area can often be diagnosed as visual–vestibular mismatch or poor central–peripheral integration.

Depth Perception And Spatial Processing

Depth perception can be measured in a variety of ways. One of the ways this is measured is by using polarized 3D glasses and 3D targets. Depth and spatial perception can also be tested by using lenses. Vision can be analyzed differently with judging space or estimating distances and can occur with individuals that can pass the 3D glasses tests.

Visual Perception

Visual perception is often referred to as the ability to understand and process what is seen through your eyes/visual system. Not all individuals who have 20/20 eyesight will have visual processing difficulties. Standardized testing in areas of visual discrimination, visual figure–ground, visual closure, visual memory and visual sequential memory can be performed.

Vision, Reading And Learning

When a child struggles with reading or learning, families often check eyesight first. A child may see clearly on a basic eye chart but still struggle with how the eyes work together.

For example, eye tracking, eye teaming, focusing, and visual processing can affect reading comfort and learning. These skills help a child keep place, follow words, and understand what they read.

However, vision is only one part of learning. A careful exam can help show whether visual skills add to reading, attention, or classroom challenges.

“Vision Problems are often Mislabelled as ADHD!”

Common Reading And Learning Problems Caused By Vision

Sustaining Attention

Inefficient eye movements can make it hard to stay focused on reading or close work.

Recognizing Letters Or Words

Poor tracking can cause skipping lines or losing place, making decoding words difficult.

Reading Fluency

If eyes do not move smoothly, reading can become slow, choppy and tiring.

Reading Comprehension

When too much effort is spent just keeping place, there is less energy left to understand.

Writing

Visual issues can lead to messy writing, spacing problems and frequent erasures.

Copying From The Board

Difficulties refocusing from far to near can show up as slow or inaccurate copying.

Spelling

Spelling relies heavily on visual memory. Weak visual skills can make it hard to remember how words look.