Special Needs Eye Care
Every patient deserves a thorough eye evaluation — adapted to how they communicate and engage. We take the time, adapt our techniques, and meet each patient where they are.
Vision Care Built Around the Patient
Children and adults with special needs are at higher risk for vision problems, yet are often the hardest to evaluate in a standard setting. A patient who cannot read a letter chart, sit still for a long exam, or answer “which is clearer, one or two?” is not a patient who cannot be tested — they are a patient who needs the testing done differently.
Whether the goal is an accurate prescription, a binocular vision evaluation, or therapy, our team is experienced in caring for patients across the developmental and special-needs spectrum — and in partnering closely with families and other providers.
Care starts with a comprehensive developmental and binocular vision evaluation, using age- and ability-appropriate techniques so the results are accurate. From there, Dr. Murray builds an individualized plan — which may include lenses or prism, in-office vision therapy, and coordination with your other providers — at our Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach or West Palm Beach office.
Where to Start
Four of the diagnoses families most often ask us about. Each page covers what tends to show up visually and how we adapt the evaluation.
Autism Spectrum
Differences in eye contact, visual attention and sensory response are common — evaluation is adapted to each patient’s sensory profile.
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Down Syndrome
Higher rates of refractive error, focusing problems and eye-teaming issues make thorough, patient eye care especially important.
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Cerebral Palsy
Eye alignment, eye movement and visual processing challenges are common — and worth addressing alongside the rest of the care plan.
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Developmental Delays
When development is delayed, an evaluation clarifies which visual skills are in place and which need support.
Learn More →Not on this list? These four are the most common questions we get, not the limits of who we see. If you are unsure whether a vision evaluation would be useful for your family member, call or message us and we will tell you honestly.
How We Help
We adapt the evaluation rather than shortening it: objective techniques that do not depend on the patient answering questions, testing broken into manageable pieces, and a pace set by the patient in the chair. The point is an accurate prescription and a clear picture of how the two eyes work together — not simply getting through the appointment.
Where therapy is appropriate, it is built to be supportive rather than overwhelming, and coordinated with the rest of the team — families, occupational and physical therapists, ABA therapists, and educators. Many of the visual skills we work on (eye movements, eye teaming, focusing) are the same ones other therapies lean on, which is why addressing them can support progress elsewhere.
If you are still working out whether vision is part of the picture, our free symptom checklist takes a few minutes, and the signs of a vision problem guide covers what else can look like a learning, attention or behaviour issue.
What Families Tell Us
“I have been looking for a doctor that specializes in adult special needs and nobody would return my call. I left a message and Dr. Murray's office called me immediately the next morning. It was the best decision I made. She took her time and was so patient. We previously took a family member to another doctor who couldn't get an accurate eye exam. Dr. Murray was specific on what needed to be done and said there's no reason why it couldn't be done, you might just have to do things in a different manner. She was the best eye doctor for our family member with special needs.”
From Our Blog
Vision Therapy vs Occupational Therapy
The two overlap but are not the same. What each addresses, and when a child may benefit from both.
How Vision Shapes Developmental Milestones
Why so much early development runs through the visual system — and what that means when milestones are late.
Comprehensive vs Developmental Eye Exam
What each exam covers, and why a school screening or standard exam can miss what we are looking for.
Told an Eye Exam Isn’t Possible?
It usually is — it just has to be done differently. Book an evaluation at our Boynton Beach and Boca Raton offices, and tell us what your family member needs.