Supporting Our Neuro-diverse Community in Victor Harbor

Research suggests that individuals on the autism spectrum may be more likely to experience specific vision challenges, including:

• Strabismus & Refractive Errors: This includes eye turns, nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
• Eye Teaming Difficulties: Challenges with how the eyes work together, affecting reading, sports, and coordination.
• Sensory Hypersensitivity: Extreme sensitivity to glare or specific types of indoor lighting.
• Visual-Spatial Challenges: Difficulty judging distances or feeling "grounded" in busy environments.

To ensure that a trip to the optometrist for autistic people is as pleasant as possible we adapt our consultation process to ensure a low-stress, "sensory-friendly" environment for both children and adults:

• Preparation is Key: We can discuss how the appointment flows before you attend your appointment. This way you or your child know exactly what to expect—from the "big chair" to the specialised equipment we use.
• Flexible Testing: We don’t always rely on "reading letter chart." We use objective testing methods and non-verbal tools to assess vision accurately without placing pressure on our patients.
• Controlled Environment: We can dim the lights, minimise background noise, and allow for extra time so no one feels rushed.
• Specialised Lenses: For those with light sensitivity, we offer therapeutic tints and high-quality anti-reflective coatings to reduce "visual snow" and sensory overload.

If you can read the bottom line of a letter chart, you have 20/20 vision.

However, for many neuro-diverse individuals, that is only one piece of the puzzle.

Functional Vision refers to how your eyes and brain work together to navigate the physical world. When these systems aren't synchronised, it can increase anxiety, physical discomfort, and sensory meltdowns.

You might notice these behaviours that don't seem like "eye problems," but they are signs of a struggle with vision:

• Side-glancing or looking at objects out of the corner of the eye.
• Covering one eye while reading or watching TV.
• Extreme distress in brightly lit shopping centres or under fluorescent lights.
• Difficulty with transitions, such as moving from carpeted floors to tiles.

1. Eye Teaming and Tracking: If eyes don't point to the same place simultaneously, words can "swim" on a page. We can prescribe Prism Lenses to help align images, often providing an immediate sense of calm.
2. Visual-Spatial Processing: We look at how a patient uses their peripheral vision. Subtle lens changes can help "ground" a patient, making them feel more stable and less overwhelmed by movement.
3. Light and Contrast Sensitivity: Fluorescent lights have a "micro-flicker" that can trigger physiological distress. Our precision-tinted filters are designed to block the specific frequencies that cause this sensory overload.

A Checklist for Parents and Caregivers
If you check identify three or more of these conditions, you or your child’s visual system may be working harder than it needs to:

Physical Signs

• Frequently looks at objects out of the corner of the eye (side-glancing).
• Tilts the head to one side, or covers one eye when focusing.
• Leans very close to the screen or page.

Sensory Responses

• Unusually distressed by bright sunlight or fluorescent "flicker."
• Becomes anxious or "shuts down" in visually busy environments (like supermarkets).
• Becomes "locked" onto spinning objects or repetitive moving patterns.

Movement & Coordination

• Frequently trips over curbs or changes in flooring.
• Significant trouble catching a ball or staying within the lines while colouring-in.
• Frequently bumps into furniture or doorways.

Learning & Focus

• Frequently skips lines or loses their place while reading.
• Avoids puzzles, drawing, or reading in favour of tactile activities.
• Mentions that words are "dancing" or "swimming."