Comprehensive Visual Evaluation
What is a Comprehensive Visual Evaluation?
The Bernstein Center for Visual Performance provides a wide array of specialized testing for vision problems. The Comprehensive Vision Evaluation is typically our first tool to evaluate your vision skills.
The Standard Eye Exam measures visual acuity (clarity) at 20 feet. The Comprehensive Vision Evaluation measures all aspects of visual performance - including reading distance.
The Comprehensive Vision Evaluation consists of three components: (1) a comprehensive eye and vision examination, (2) an assessment of advanced visual and perceptual skills, (3) and an assessment of visual-motor development and eye-hand coordination.
An extensive case history is conducted involving the patient (and/or parent) to identify concerns, symptoms, and a detailed developmental, visual and medical history. Based on the information obtained from the history, testing is individualized to best assess potential causes of any visual performance deficits. The examination takes from one to two hours depending upon the depth of testing required.
Typically, at the completion of the examination, the parents (and/or patient) will schedule a consultation visit (which lasts approximately one hour) at which time the doctor will discuss the findings and a treatment plan.
Comprehensive Vision Evaluation versus Standard Eye Exams, Standard Vision Screening
Standard eye screenings (like the ones given in school) test only a fraction of a person's visual skills - and usually at a distance of 20 feet. Standard eye exams are a bit more comprehensive, but still only test some of a person's visual skills. Here's a comparison of the three types of eye tests:
Tests | Standard Vision Screening | Standard Eye Exam | Comprehensive Eye Evaluation |
Visual Acuity @ Distance | YES | YES | YES |
Visual Acuity @ Near | Occasionally | Occasionally | YES |
Eye Health | Occasionally | YES | YES |
Eye Tracking Skills | NO | NO | YES |
Eye Focusing Skills | NO | NO | YES |
Eye Coordination / Teaming | NO | NO | YES |
As you can see - there are many important visual skills which are not tested during school screenings or routine pediatric eye testing.
Additional tests - Perceptual Testing, Visual Motor Testing
The Comprehensive Vision Evaluation is an excellent tool for diagnosing most complex vision problems. Often, however, we encounter certain types of behavior or vision problems which require additional testing. These two additional areas of testing are usually performed at the same visits, however the doctor may elect to have the patient return (after updating a glasses prescription, for example).
Advanced Visual Skills and Perceptual Analysis - people with eye focusing and coordination problems may also have trouble with laterality (telling left from right), word/letter reversals, clumsy behaviors, or difficulty with math concepts) may have visual perceptual problems. Additional tests performed on this visit explore the range and severity of vision problems in these areas.
Advanced Skills, Perceptual, and Visual Motor Development - Visual motor development, when impaired, often affects visual perceptual performance. It may also produce identical behavioral symptoms as ADD / ADHD / dyslexia, and even autism. Retraining the visual system to process information properly will put the child on a positive developmental course.
After testing is completed
All testing at the Bernstein Center is followed up by a conference (typically a separate visit) with the doctor who performed the tests. We discuss the findings from the examination, priorities and options for remediation (may include glasses, contacts, or vision therapy and/or non-optometric intervention). We also discuss reasonable goals and expectations for each patient.
Should the tests indicate that vision is not an underlying cause of the problem, we will refer you to other health care specialists. Getting started is easy - just contact the Bernstein Center to set up an appointment for a Comprehensive Vision Evaluation.
Symptoms Quiz
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The Bernstein Center for Visual Performance provides a wide array of specialized testing for vision problems.
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