We focus on the little things

A complete care package for your child from birth upwards

Adopting the advice of leading Adelaide paediatric eye surgeons and specialists, our novel partnership between two different eye health professions and a specialist children’s frame supplier provides Fleurieu parents with the unique opportunity to access a complete, evidence-based eye health and vision assessment for their children, without the inconvenience of travelling to Adelaide. Working collaboratively in the practice, David and Carrie are able to assess the vision of babies, toddlers, tweens and teenagers to check they are meeting their expected developmental milestones. Children are visual learners: 80% of their learning in their first 12 years comes through their vision. 1 in 5 children have a problem with their eyes and they don’t even know it, because they don’t know what they’re supposed to be able to see! Any vision problem will affect their ability to learn, as well as preventing them from having all the fun in the playground and contributing confidently to what they love to do, such as kicking goals, painting awesome pictures or being the lead ballerina.

Most children will fly through life without the need for any visual help, but an eye test every couple of years will ensure they’re not at a disadvantage and put your mind at rest, even if you’re not noticing any symptoms. The number of 12 year olds worldwide with myopia (short-sightedness) has doubled between 2005-2011 and is predicted to affect close to 40 per cent of the population by 2030! Alarming yes, but fortunately it can be managed effectively by our team. However, some childhood eye conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye) must be diagnosed and treated early, if treatment is to be successful. When required, we will refer your child to a paediatric ophthalmologist in Adelaide for treatment, and our team can then provide any post-surgery care or treatment prescribed by the ophthalmologist right here in the practice.

Let's not forget

  • A child-friendly practice with toilet and nappy-changing facilities (plus spare supplies if you get caught short) with breast-feeding welcome.
  • Off-street parking behind the practice and shelter for prams and pushchairs.
  • Advice on various options for budding sportsmen and women, including contact lenses and prescription goggles.
  • The facts on safe screen-time (for when you’re in need of down time) and how to avoid headaches and eye strain when study starts getting serious.
  • Stockists of eye patches and a range of supplies to support healthy eyes and glasses care.
  • An eye sight check in readiness for hitting the tarmac with their Learner’s permit.

The best way to check you child’s eyes are healthy and performing brilliantly is to book an appointment with our optometrist David, so he can take a good look at them (bulk-billed to Medicare). However, here are some common signs that your child may have vision problems:

  • one eye pointing in or out, while the other points straight ahead
  • tilting or turning their head when looking at something
  • frequently blinking or rubbing their eyes
  • red or watery eyes
  • difficulty reading, such as skipping and confusing words, and holding a book very close to their face
  • complaining of headaches, sore eyes or blurry and double vision
  • squinting to see things in the distance

Are you one of the 4 in 5 Aussie parents who reckons their child has great eyesight ? Sadly a quick eye test by the clinic nurse doesn’t always recognise the tell-tale signs of underlying problems that will send alarm bells ringing for an optometrist. A new report ‘The ANZ Myopia Report 2022-23 – Reducing the Risk to Vision’ written by a group of leading optometrists and ophthalmologists, is urging parents and carers to add eye examinations to every child’s regular health checklist. The report found that myopia (near-sightedness, making far away objects look blurry) can and should be managed at an early age. The first step is to take your child to an optometrist for a full eye examination.

We recommend that your child has a full eye examination by an optometrist before they start school, and every 2 years after that. If you see any of the warning signs which may indicate eye and vision problems, bring them in sooner. David is experienced in examining the eyes of babies upwards!

A new study by The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital has revealed that soccer, AFL and basket ball are among the most dangerous sports for our eyes. This 5-year study of sports-related eye trauma discovered that 54% of eye injuries were attributed to ball sports and more than 30% of the patients under 18 presenting at A&E were children! Yikes. Yep the majority of sports injuries to the eye are minor, but if they’re bad, they can be potentially blinding. Collingwood’s Mason Cox sustained a torn retina on the pitch, which is why he now wears specially-designed sports prescription glasses.  Regular glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses are not sufficient protective sports eyewear.

Book an appointment with David to find out how we can protect your child’s eyes on the pitch or court.

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