Barnard & Levit

Myopia Control

Having examined a short-sighted child, our practitioners shall be pleased to advise parents on whether any current methods of myopia control can be employed to try and stop or slow up the rate of progression of myopia.

Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD

Dr Barnard has a special interest in the visual aspects of learning difficulties. He receives referrals from teachers, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and paediatric physiotherapists from London and other area of the UK. Dr Barnard also receives referrals of adult dyslexics from various Colleges and government agencies or education authorities.

Whilst it is unusual for a visual problem to be the whole cause of learning underachievement or dyslexia, ocular motor and binocular vision difficulties have been shown to have a strong association or correlation with some types of learning difficulties.

Some children can be helped with eye exercises, spectacles or other interventions.

A significant minority of children with learning difficulties can be assisted with coloured spectacle or contact lenses. As one of the few practices in the UK with the Intuitive Colorimeter, we offer this special test to those children who are suitable.

Children referred by an educational psychologist, occupational therapist or remedial teacher require full Visual Assessment which requires a one hour appointment.

Further, more detailed information is available on request.

Orthoptics, Vision Therapy and Behavioural Optometry

Orthoptics is the clinical science of exercising the eye muscles to treat muscle weaknesses including squint. Vision Therapy encompasses the improvement of eye movements and vision as well as muscle strength. Behavioural Optometry focuses on the person as a whole and takes a more holistic view of the patient

Dr Barnard has specialised in these areas and his doctoral research was in the field of eye movements and the effect of eye exercises. The practice specialises in treating ocular motor and sensory visual problems with eye exercises. Whilst many of these exercises are carried at home, regular visits to the practice are often required within the practice with one of our vision therapists.

Our Principal Optometrist, Mr David Fleischmann specialises in this field. Graduating from Anglia Ruskin University, Mr Fleischmann has since worked in the Specific Learning Difficulties clinic at the Institute of Optometry, is the Principal Optometrist for the Paediatric and Squint clinic at Central Middlesex Hospital and has been specialising in Orthoptic exercises for the past four years; he is currently the only Optometrist in the UK enrolled on the DipOrth, the highest level of Orthoptic specialisation in England.

We have one of the largest children eyewear collections in the UK. These are exhibited in a separate child friendly eyewear gallery with spectacle frames for all ages from 3 months to 16 years.

Award winning Italian, Lilliput frames by Trenti who design eyewear solely for children.   Lilliput styles are a perfect combination of technology and trend to encourage children to wear their glasses happily and safely.

Lindberg -have designed the ultimate children's frames. Strong and flexible titanium, which weighs only 3 grams.

Tecnoflex , the flexi frames for kids, perfect frames for active youngsters.

JBC expressions collection - Children's fashion frames at their best, beautifully designed fun frames with bright colours and latest shapes make this a highly desirable quality collection.

Lenses for children

Polycarbonate lens material is recommended fro all children. Polycarbonate lenses are virtually shatterproof, provide the best eye protection, and include 100% UV protection. They are 30% lighter and 20% thinner than standard plastic lenses.

Sun and Sports

Children's eye protection from the sun or during sports activities whilst enhancing their visual performance is vital.

An extensive range of children's sun and sports wear is available to suit a wide range of activities; Swimming goggles, skiing masks, safety spectacles for contact sports, Oakley, Bolle and other sunglasses are available with or without prescription.