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We Assess Visual Skills at Our Kelowna Eye Care Center


When we think about healthy vision, we tend to picture seeing things clearly in front of us. But visual skills impact how we use visual and remember visual information. Kids develop visual skills through their early years.

But when an eye problem prevents kids from developing visual skills, it can impact how they see, learn, and behave.

We perform a basic visual skills assessment (also called binocular vision assessment) for every child that visits us for a routine eye exam. But a comprehensive visual skills assessment can identify issues and helps us develop a personalized treatment plan.

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Eyes Work As A Team

Binocular vision is the term for both eyes working together. Each eye gathers visual information that the brain combines into a single 3D image. Vision and eye problems can prevent the brain from processing vision from both eyes equally.

Dr. Capo is uniquely qualified to diagnose and manage conditions affecting binocular vision, having completed a residency in pediatrics and vision therapy.

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What's A Binocular Vision Assessment?

Children with binocular vision problems can struggle with routine tasks. They may feel clumsy or self-conscious, shying away from sports or struggling with schoolwork.

The root of these problems often comes from a poor connection between the brain and the eyes. When your child sees double, their left and right eyes don’t sync up. When there’s miscommunication or poor visual development, the brain can learn to ignore visual input from one eye.

Assessing the health and functionality of both eyes, together and separately, can help pinpoint the problem.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Accommodation (Eye Focusing)

When you look from a near object to a far object, your eyes automatically engage muscles to focus and maintain a clear image. Accommodative dysfunction is when the eyes adjust poorly, affecting comfort and visual quality.

Signs and symptoms of poor eye focusing can include:

  • Blurry vision when shifting focus
  • Poor posture to compensate for eye fatigue
  • Tired or strained eyes
  • Poor concentration or task avoidance
arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Depth Perception

Depth perception is the ability to see objects in 3D. It’s a skill we use to judge accurately how far or near something is. Both eyes have a slightly different view, allowing the brain to compare and gather more dynamic information.

When the brain can’t process the information from one or both eyes, depth perception is impaired. Kids can struggle with simple tasks, like pouring a glass of milk, climbing stairs, or catching a ball.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Ocular Motility (Eye Movements)

From tracking soccer players across a field to glancing up when someone calls your name, eye movement is crucial for a range of visual functions. Kids with poor eye muscle control can face challenges with multiple aspects of binocular vision.

The inability to control eye movements can also indicate a central nervous system condition, from inflammation to neurological disorders.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Ocular Posture (Resting Position)

Evaluating the eye’s resting position can help determine if a child has eye misalignment. Eye position can affect how the eyes work together, as they need to focus on the same object simultaneously.

Common eye misalignment problems, like strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), can cause:

  • Strained or tired eyes
  • Double vision
  • Headaches
  • Poor depth perception
arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Convergence (Eye Teaming)

Convergence is when our eyes move together and aim inward when looking at close distances. Your child may struggle to focus on a sentence or word because their eyes don’t line up, resulting in a mismatched image. Kids with convergence insufficiency (poor eye teaming) can experience:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Poor concentration
  • Headaches
  • Vertigo or motion sickness
  • Tiredness after near-vision activities
  • Poor reading comprehension

Get Personalized Support For Your Child's Vision

Female eye doctor 2

A visual skills assessment evaluates aspects of vision not included in a routine eye exam. Your child may not tell you if they’re experiencing poor vision—because they might not understand that what they see or feel is different from what everyone else experiences.

Dr. Capo performs this specialized testing for kids who need additional support to achieve healthy, comfortable vision. By getting to know your child’s visual abilities, Dr. Capo can create a customized vision therapy plan tailored just for them!

Book your child’s visual skills assessment today.

What We Do

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We're here to help your little one protect their sight for years to come. Look out for your kid's life-long vision with early eye care.

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When the brain experiences trauma, visual processing may be disrupted. Specialized Vision Therapy treatment can help with your recovery.

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Daily tasks can be difficult for a person with low vision. With a low vision assessment and function solutions you can still live your best life.

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Vision therapy uses evidenced-based solutions & personalized care to improve visual function. Find out if your child's vision is working as it should.