What is
Neuro-Rehabilitative Optometry?
The world we see is a product of our brain’s processes. Our eyes capture light and deliver it to the brain for processing. Any insult to the brain, such as a stroke, will affect your vision.
Neuro-rehabilitative optometry is a subset of optometry that uses lenses, prisms, colour, filters and vision therapy to manage visual complications resulting from acquired brain injury.
For example, we can determine if vision is the cause of a patient's dizziness, vertigo, ringing and loss of balance (provided they have been medically cleared) using a device called posturography.
Who could benefit?
Patients whose vision was affected by Acquired Brain Injuries such as concussion, hemianopia or neglect
Posturography
Eyes2Learn Optometrists use the Balance Tracking System to assess the three main sensory feedback systems that help us with balance. The systems are proprioception, vision and the vestibular system.
Proprioception is the inner sense of the position of one’s body part during movement. Balance involves touch, muscle, joint and tendon receptors.
Vision describes the multiple visual pathways that carry ‘spatial information’ for balance and movement.
The vestibular is the inner ear providing information on motion, equilibrium and spatial orientation.
Posturography can determine which system is contributing to poor balance. If vision is the cause, the optometrist can provide neuro-rehabilitative eyecare and use posturography to monitor improvements. The optometrist can also refer the patients to an ENT specialist if another system is identified.
The Balance Tracking System in Action
Where can I have a Neuro-Rehabilitative Eye Examination?
Consultations are available at the following locations:
Monday to Saturday at Smart Eyes Optical, Shop 2, 19 Smart Street, Charlestown, NSW 2290
Please ORGANISE the following before your appointment:
Complete the Acquired Brain Injury Questionnaire
Your Medicare card and Private Health Insurance card as appropriate.
All prescription spectacles you currently use.
Any referrals or relevant reports from a neurologist, physiologist or occupational therapist
Consultation Structure & Fees
1. Visual Function Evaluation
40 minutes - $180
medicare rebate of $60.05 to $90.05*
This evaluation consists of
Case History
Distance Near Refraction and Acuities
Fixation stability
Focusing abilities
Eye Teaming
Stereopsis & Fixation Disparity
Strabismus and Amblyopia
Confrontation Visual Fields
Colour Vision
Ocular Health
3D Ocular Imaging
*If you had your eyes tested by another optometrist in the last 3 years, please provide a referral letter from your optometrist so we can provide you the full medicare rebate.
2. Visual PROCESSING Evaluation
UP TO TWO 60 minutes sessions - $220 EACH
medicare rebate of $60.05 per session
This evaluation is preferably done when the child is most alert. It consists of
Bilateral Integration & Ocular Motor (Eye Movement)
Posturography
Visual Field Examination
Motor Free Visual Form Perception i.e. visual discrimination, visual memory, visual sequencing, visual form constancy, visual figure-ground and visual closure
Visual-Motor and Form Reproduction
Information Span or Visual Memory
4. VISION THERAPY
30 TO 40 minutes - $150
MEDICARE REBATE OF $30.05 to $60.05
Patients require vision therapy to improve their visual function. Unlike conventional therapy, neuro-rehabilitation progress at a slower rate. This is because pushing through an activity creates significant symptoms and the condition can relapse. We liken it to lifting weights. It is better to repeatedly lift light weights and improve ability without significant symptoms, then lifting heavy weights
3. CONFERENCE & report
40 minutes - $180
MEDICARE REBATE OF $30.05
A meeting is scheduled to review the visual function and visual perceptual evaluation findings. Further insights or concerns about the patient are discussed here. The optometrist will discuss the treatment options and prepare a report based on the outcome of the meeting. Copies of the report will be forwarded to those involved in the patient's care, such as teachers, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists.