Published: 15 March 2025 | Updated: 29 September 2026 | Author: Smart Vision Optometry
Editorial and clinical update — 28 September 2026: The original article/interview body below is retained in its editorial form, including its attributed quotations and narrative structure. Current evidence and clinical guidance are presented separately below and should be relied on where older wording or claims differ.
Seeing Beyond 20/20 Clarity
Most people view optometry as a straightforward field: testing eyesight, prescribing glasses, and checking for eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts. However, vision is more than the ability to see clearly or the absence of eye health problems.
“Smart Vision behavioural optometry takes a more holistic view of vision,” explains Jacqueline Gattegno, Master in Behavioural Optometry, Orthokeratologist and Principal Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Smart Vision Optometry Bondi. As an accredited Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist, Orthokeratologist, and a specialist in children’s vision and developmental care, she is committed to helping patients understand and improve how they use their sight.
Gary Rodney, Master of Optometry, Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) and founder of Smart Vision Optometry, elaborates: “Vision is a dynamic process involving how the eyes, brain, and body work together. Smart Vision Behavioural optometry focuses on enhancing this integration, offering solutions that go far beyond prescription glasses.”
Proactive Eye Care for All Ages
Smart Vision Behavioural optometry is particularly impactful for children as it addresses visual development at a critical stage. However, its benefits extend well beyond paediatric care.
“Sportspeople, office workers, and individuals recovering from neurological injuries can all benefit from Smart Vision behavioural optometry,” says Gattegno. “It’s about recognising the diverse ways in which vision influences our daily lives and tailoring interventions accordingly.”
By taking a proactive approach, Smart Vision behavioural optometry can even reduce the risk of certain vision problems developing in the first place. “Preventing deterioration in vision is as important as correcting existing issues,” Rodney explains. “For many patients, this approach is life-changing.”
Beyond Deciding if Glasses Are Needed
Smart Vision behavioural optometrists diagnose and treat a wide range of vision challenges, including:
- Poor eye coordination.
- Focusing issues.
- Tracking difficulties when reading.
- Lazy eye (amblyopia) and turned eye (strabismus).
- Visual processing difficulties that affect movement or learning.
“Prescribing glasses is just one part of what we do,” says Gattegno. “We also assess how people use visual information—how they coordinate vision with movement or synthesise visual and auditory cues. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to provide targeted therapies that improve overall visual efficiency.”
For children, this often means addressing issues that impact their ability to succeed at school. “Children with undiagnosed vision problems may struggle to read, write, or focus in class,” explains Rodney. “Through Smart Vision behavioural optometry, we can identify these issues and provide solutions that help them excel academically.”
Vision Training for Performance and Learning
One of the key benefits of Smart Vision behavioural optometry is vision therapy, which helps develop and enhance visual skills. These therapies are particularly beneficial for children struggling to reach their academic potential, but their applications extend to adults as well.
“Smart Vision behavioural optometry is arguably the highest standard of premium eyecare in the industry, which addresses three primary goals: preventing vision problems, treating existing issues, and developing visual skills,” explains Rodney. “By addressing these areas, we help children thrive in school, workers perform better in their jobs, and athletes gain a competitive edge.”
Gattegno highlights the practical benefits of vision therapy: “For athletes, visual training is as important as physical training. Improving hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and reaction time can make a significant difference in performance. For office workers, addressing digital eye strain and improving focus can be transformative.”
This proactive approach to vision care has even been shown to delay or prevent the need for stronger prescription lenses. “By training the eyes and improving visual efficiency, we can reduce strain and slow the progression of certain vision problems,” says Gattegno.
More Than Just Glasses
Smart Vision behavioural optometry offers a variety of solutions beyond prescription eyewear. These include:
- Tinted lenses for specific conditions, such as light sensitivity.
- Vision therapy to improve eye coordination, focus, and tracking.
- Lifestyle advice to support eye health, particularly for screen users.
“The therapies and options we provide at Eyes InDesign Bondi are backed by research and clinical evidence,” says Gattegno. “Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of these solutions. This means adults and children often struggle with unaddressed vision challenges that could easily be improved.”
Rodney emphasises the importance of awareness: “By educating people about the benefits of Smart Vision behavioural optometry, we can ensure more individuals receive the care they need to unlock their full visual potential.”
For example, adults who spend long hours in front of computer screens often experience digital eye strain, headaches, or fatigue. Smart Vision behavioural optometrists address these issues by not only prescribing glasses but also by teaching strategies to reduce strain and improve productivity.
Similarly, older adults can benefit from Smart Vision behavioural optometry to address age-related changes in vision. “Maintaining visual skills as we age is critical for preserving independence and quality of life,” says Gattegno.
Changing Lives With Smart Vision Optometry
The impact of Smart Vision behavioural optometry can be profound. Children who struggled academically can suddenly focus and succeed. Athletes find themselves performing better on the field. Office workers become more efficient and experience less discomfort.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how these interventions improve our patients’ lives,” says Rodney. “Vision is such an integral part of everything we do, and improving how it functions has a ripple effect on so many areas.”
Gattegno agrees, adding: “Whether it’s helping a child achieve their full potential at school or enabling an adult to work and play without limitations, Smart Vision behavioural optometry is about empowering people to live their best lives.”
Contact Smart Vision Optometry for Holistic Eye Care
Smart Vision behavioural optometry isn’t just about seeing clearly—it’s about seeing efficiently and effectively. If you or your child are experiencing vision challenges or would like to explore preventative care, Smart Vision Optometry offers comprehensive assessments and wellness treatment programmes which are tailored to your unique needs.
To learn more about Smart Vision behavioural optometry and its benefits, visit Smart Vision Optometry’s website. For information about myopia prevention, visit Myopia Prevention, or explore Orthokeratology in Sydney.
Book an online appointment today, or call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600. Experience a holistic approach to vision care that supports learning, performance, and everyday life. Contact Smart Vision Optometry today to see how we can help you or your child thrive.
Current evidence and clinical context
The interview discusses visual demands at school, work and in sport. Assessment and treatment should be guided by an individual diagnosis; the quoted descriptions of benefits are not guarantees of an outcome.
The National Eye Institute’s convergence insufficiency guide describes a specific binocular-vision condition that can cause symptoms during near work. Evidence for treating a diagnosed condition should not be extended to every learning or performance concern.
An NEI-funded trial on convergence insufficiency and reading found that treatment did not improve children’s reading test scores more than placebo therapy. Vision care does not replace appropriate educational assessment and support.
Related Smart Vision reading
Changing the way you see the world · Protecting your vision at work
Frequently asked questions
What does a comprehensive vision assessment consider?
The interview discusses eye health, clarity of sight and how vision is used in daily activities. The tests and advice should be tailored to the person’s symptoms and examination findings.
Can someone have clear distance vision and still have difficulty with near work?
Yes. Convergence insufficiency can cause eyestrain, headaches or double vision during close work. An eye examination is needed to identify the cause of symptoms.
Does treating a vision problem guarantee better reading or school performance?
No. Treating an identified vision problem should not be presented as a guaranteed improvement in reading or academic performance. In an NEI-funded trial, treatment for convergence insufficiency did not improve children’s reading test scores more than placebo therapy.
