Special Populations

Special Populations: Tailored Eye Care for Unique Needs

At Smart Vision Optometry, we recognise that certain groups of people have unique visual needs that require special care. Our practices in Sydney are dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalised eye care solutions for special populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with specific health conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Fragile-X, and Down Syndrome.

Eye Care for Children

Children’s vision care is crucial for their overall development and academic success. Early detection and treatment of vision problems can prevent long-term visual issues and support their learning and growth.

Common Vision Problems in Children

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): A condition where one eye has reduced vision compared to the other, often treated with patching or vision therapy.
• Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misalignment of the eyes, which can be corrected with glasses, exercises, or surgery.
• Myopia (Nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, often managed with glasses or contact lenses.

Eye Care for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Asperger Syndrome

Smart Vision Optometry offers a number of therapy options to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop the visual skills necessary for improved social and academic function. Simply training eye movements can enhance visual attention and eye contact. Yoked prism glasses can help centre attention and decrease extreme upward gazing, while vision therapy can assist in the development and integration of visual skills. Syntonics can also help decrease hypersensitivities.

Visual Rehabilitation for ASD and Asperger Syndrome

• Customised Visual Strategies: Our team develops personalised visual strategies to address specific visual processing challenges faced by individuals with ASD and Asperger Syndrome.
• Gentle and Patient-Centred Approach: We use a gentle, patient-centred approach to ensure comfort and cooperation during eye exams and treatments.

Eye Care for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury sufferers commonly have some visual complications. Blurred and/or double vision are often present, but considered as something that must be learned to be lived with. Vision therapy can help retrain many visual, spatial and developmental skills. Helping to reintegrate vision with movement and sound can greatly improve the quality of life of a person who has suffered a brain injury.

Visual Rehabilitation for TBI

• Specialised Vision Therapy: Our vision therapy programs are designed to help individuals with TBI recover visual skills and improve overall visual function, including virtual reality systems.
• Comprehensive Eye Exams: Regular eye exams are essential to monitor and manage vision changes following a traumatic brain injury.

Eye Care for Fragile-X and Down Syndrome

People with Fragile-X exhibit many behaviours in common with those with learning disabilities. Luckily they learn well by mimicking others, hence people with Fragile-X can benefit greatly from vision therapy, which teaches skills including body and spatial awareness, eye-hand coordination, visual-motor and auditory integration, and visual sequencing skills.

Eye Care for Down Syndrome

People with Down Syndrome often have visual problems requiring spectacle correction and/or vision therapy. Regular vision assessments are recommended.

Specialised Visual Care

• Regular Monitoring: We provide regular eye exams to monitor and manage common visual issues such as strabismus, refractive errors, and amblyopia.
• Tailored Treatment Plans: Our optometrists develop personalised treatment plans to address the unique visual needs of individuals with Fragile-X and Down Syndrome.

Our Comprehensive Eye Care Services

Thorough Eye Examinations

We provide detailed eye exams to assess your vision and detect any issues early. Our exams include visual acuity tests, eye pressure measurements, and retinal examinations.

Personalised Wellness Treatment Plans

Based on the results of your eye exam, we create customised wellness treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, whether it involves prescription eyewear, vision therapy, or surgical referrals.

Ongoing Monitoring and Support

We offer continuous care and support to monitor your eye health, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, ensuring that any changes are detected and managed promptly.

Smart Vision Skills Assessment

Watch this video for a sneak peek of our Smart Vision Skills Assessment and some of the tests our behavioural optometrists perform to identify functional and perceptual vision difficulties.

Why Choose Smart Vision Optometry?

• Dedication: Our team of experienced Smart Vision optometrists is skilled in managing the unique needs of special populations.
• Personalised Care: We provide individualised care plans tailored to the specific needs of children, the elderly, and individuals with health conditions.
• Convenient Locations: Our Bondi and Mosman practices are equipped with advanced technology to provide comprehensive eye care.

Book Your Specialised Eye Care Consultation Today

Ensure your eyes receive the care they need with a comprehensive examination at Smart Vision Optometry.

Contact Us

For more information or to book your digital eye strain assessment, please contact our Bondi (02) 9365 5047 or Mosman (02) 9969 1600 practice directly. We are here to assist you with all your vision care needs and ensure you receive the best possible care.