I S I O N SN E W S L E T T E R

VOLUME 42, ISSUE 4 • August 2012

President’s MessageDavid A. Damari, OD, FCOVD, FAAO

Homage to Harold Solan

I had already turned in an editorial for this issue. It was very exciting — an eye-opening piece about strategic planning that would have kept you mesmerized. But then I received the news from Irwin Suchoff that one of my mentors, Harold Solan, had died. Suddenly, the topic of strategic plans lost all its charm.

Harold Solan was truly one of our greats. He arguably did more to bring awareness of optometry and optometric vision therapy to educational professionals than anyone before or since. A search of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) online database shows fourteen publications with Harold as an author, most of them in the Journal of Learning Disabilities. A search of PubMed reveals forty-seven (47!) published articles by Harold (this includes the articles also listed in ERIC) from 1950 all the way through to 2007. That means that Harold was a productive scientist and author in six different decades! Yes, he would get stuck once in a while on certain themes in his publications (simultaneous vs. sequential processing, blue light and magnocellular processing in “dyslexics”) but so do many of the most prolific authors. Yet Harold’s writing always took our profession

down paths that were on the cutting edge of educational theory. The value that these publications had in conveying the legitimacy of our profession in the world of education cannot be overstated. When I would discuss these issues with other professionals, citing Harold’s studies, the medical people in the room would be left with only one rejoinder: “Well, that was written by an optometrist.” Thus, the true motivation behind the medical criticisms of learning-related vision disorders was exposed for what it always was and always will be — a baseless attack on the independent profession of optometry.

Harold was also a staunch champion of standardized testing in optometry. I learned a great deal from Harold during my time as a student and VT resident at SUNY, and during my short tenure on the clinical faculty there, but I would have to say the major thing I learned from him was the value of recognized, standardized tests in communicating our findings to other professionals. As I have previously written on these pages, our profession has a traditional bias toward conversation and observation as diagnostic tools, and this bias makes us strong clinicians in our patients’ eyes. But what gives us respect among other professionals is hard data derived from good standardization and legitimate normative studies, and no one drove that point home better than Harold.

What I admired most about Harold, though, was that his primary concern was always for the children. In conversations with him, in his lectures, and even in his articles, you got the sense that Harold had substantial empathy for the child struggling in the classroom. To Harold, every child who was not succeeding academically was a failure of the educational and healthcare system. I distinctly remember him teaching us to watch for the class clown. Behind the easy laughs was a child seeking to escape from the strictures of a classroom designed to reward skills he may not have: accurate saccades,

In this Issue:

President’s Message

— 2 —

President’s Message, continued

Florida Starts its Own Vision Therapy Study Group!

New COVD Board Director Elected

— 3 —

Thrilla in Manila

— 4 —

Public Service Announcements: Helping you to

spread the word

— 5 —

COVD 42nd Annual Meeting

— 6 —

Awards for Excellence in VT for graduating students

— 7 —

Therapist’s Corner

Congratulations 2012 Optometry Students!

— 8 —

Upcoming Events

College of Optometrists in Vision Development215 W. Garfield Road

Suite 200Aurora, OH 44202888.268.3770 or

330.995.0718 (voice)330.995.0719 (fax)

info@covd.org

www.covd.org

(continued on page 2)

Page 2VOLUME 42, Issue 4 V I S I O N S

VISIONS is published by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). Editor: Ida Chung, OD, FCOVD. Managing Editor: Pamela R. Happ, CAE. Business office is located at 215 W. Garfield Road, Suite 200, Aurora, OH 44202, 330.995.0718. Subscriptions: VISIONS is published four times a year and distributed at no charge to members of COVD. Postage paid for a non-profit, tax-exempt organization at Willoughby, OH. Copyright © 2012 by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Advertising rates available upon request. COVD disclaims responsibility for opinions expressed by the authors.

responsive accommodation, coordinated binocularity, and facile processing of visual information.

While most of you know Harold’s reputation as a researcher, author, and advocate for optometry in the world of education, what many of you may not know was that Harold was a caring and charming gentleman. One night, my wife, who used to be the Director of Admissions at SUNY College of Optometry, was walking from the College to Penn Station to take the train home. As she got to the edge of Madison Square Park, she came upon Harold waiting for the light at the street corner. “Rita,” he said to her in his inimitable way,

“a young woman should never walk through the park alone at night. I would be happy to escort you.” And so the two of them, kindly old Harold, who wouldn’t and couldn’t hurt a fly, and my wife, who could definitely defend herself in New York, walked together the rest of the way.

Harold always sought to walk with us and guide us on our journey, whether we be a struggling child, a questioning student, an eager resident, or a member of a profession with limitless potential but a problematic reputation. Harold Solan will be dearly missed, but we are blessed to have 57 years of publications that he left us as his legacy to continue to guide us through the future.

President’s Message, continued

Florida Starts Its Own Vision Therapy Study Group!By Dr. Pauline Buck, Chair, COVD State Coordinators Committee

I have forever been jealous when I heard stories about the Michigan Vision Therapy Study Group from my COVD annual meeting roommate, Lynnette Burgess! Practicing behavioral optometry can be a very lonely road. The VTOD and DOC listserves are a blessing but there is nothing like a face-to-face meeting of the minds as I found each year at the COVD annual meeting.

When I was asked to become a COVD State Coordinator I saw my opportunity to unite the COVD members of Florida by creating our own vision therapy study group. Once the decision was made to move forward the rest of the steps clicked into place and this summer we met for the first time for a weekend symposium. We had 9 doctors and 1 therapist. We were to meet on Saturday for 6 hours of continuing education. Our enthusiasm was so great that we were together

from 9 AM and our conversations continued until 10:30 PM. We are all looking forward to our next meeting, which has already been scheduled for next summer.

As Chair of the COVD State Coordinators Committee I have been encouraging all other states that have not created a group to follow suit. At the present time there are 12 states with study groups and several others are beginning the process. If you are interested in a meeting of the minds in your state please contact your state coordinator, go forth, and meet! If you are unsure who your state coordinator is please feel free to contact me and I will put you in touch with them.

And don’t forget the fabulous presentation Dr. Fortenbacher put together, How to Build a Successful Vision Therapy Study Group. It’s available on the COVD website in the members practice management section.

New COVD Board Director Elected

The COVD Board of Directors congratulates the newly elected Board Director, Dr. Daniel Press. He will be formerly inducted as a Board Director during the banquet at the Annual Meeting this October.

His term will officially begin October 20, 2012 and run for three years.

It was a very close election, which speaks highly of the other four candidates, Drs. Marie Bodack, Ilana Gelfond-Polnariev, Daniel Lack, and Mary McMains.

Congratulations to Dr. Press and a special thanks to all who volunteer their time and efforts to make COVD the outstanding membership organization it is today.

VOLUME 42, Issue 4Page 3 V I S I O N S

Thrilla in Manila • By Dr. Lynn Hellerstein

Do you remember the Thrilla in Manila that took place in October 1975? This article is not about the final boxing match for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Rather, this story is about my personal “Thrilla in Manila.”

The Republic of The Philippines, as it is officially known, is a sovereign country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam across the South China Sea. With a population of more than 92 million people, The Philippines is the 12th most populated

country in the world. Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the over 7100 islands in the Philippines. The weather is hot and humid as May starts the monsoon season.

What a treat to have been asked to represent COVD at the 36th Annual Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists Inc. (IPAO) convention in Manila, the capital of The Philippines. The theme of the National Convention was, “Emerging Trends in Vision Science.” The convention, May 25-27, 2012, was attended by approximately 300 optometrists. I was the guest lecturer for what they called “COVD Pediatric Optometry Module on Vision Development.”

Speaking at the convention was great, but learning about the Filipino people and the state of optometry was fascinating. There is a strong core of optometrists who are working to upgrade the field of optometry in the Philippines. These courageous optometrists are confronted by many challenges. After hearing their state of optometry, it took me back over 30 years when I first started optometry. There are challenges with credibility, delivering full-scope vision care, battles with expanding laws to use drugs and medications, and more.

The optometric program in the Philippines is now a 6 year college program, awarding an O.D. degree. The ODs can’t prescribe therapeutic drugs. Many ODs and “pseudo-optometrists” don’t provide comprehensive vision exams. The “eye exams” are mainly simple refractions, provided free or with minimal charge. This eye-care model still promotes glasses sales, not professional vision services.

My hostess, Dr. Tess Yambot, MAEd, MSO, FPAO, an International Associate member of COVD, is the leader of bringing developmental vision into her country. She has been a dean of an optometry school, involved in the Philippine’s optometric board, and is now consulting with the Dept. of Education on the importance of vision and learning.

Dr. Yambot is also doing research in a clinic in a hospital, sponsored by Civitan, a non-profit foundation whose mission is to help children with special needs. Dr. Yambot and Civitan have collaborated to bring improved education and vision care to children in Asia. Civitan, with its headquarters in Alabama, has a large presence in the Southern United States, Asia and many other countries worldwide. It is part of the Citivan Philippine program to educate their optometrist to improve vision care, which ultimately will impact children’s ability to learn.

The Philippine optometrists are requesting more education in developmental vision and vision therapy. Many are hoping to apply for COVD Fellow Certification. The travel distance (about 25 hours of flight travel time) makes it difficult to attend many of the USA education programs. They are looking to bring more optometrists to teach in the Philippines.

Drs. Lynn Hellerstein and Tessa Yambot

The Filipino people are beautiful, generous and extraordinary hosts. My husband, Bruce, and I want to express our deepest gratitude to COVD, IPAO Board, Dr. Yambot, and Civitan for making this extraordinary trip such a memorable one.

COVD is truly an international organization. COVD continues to spread the developmental vision message around the world! Now that’s what I call a Thrilla!Lynn F. Hellerstein, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, is a COVD Past President,

co-owner of Hellerstein & Brenner Vision Center in Centennial, Colorado, and Author of See It. Say It. Do It! The Parent’s & Teacher’s

Action Guide to Creating Successful Students & Confident Kids.

Dr. Lynn Hellerstein speaking in Manila.

Page 4VOLUME 42, Issue 4 V I S I O N S

Public Service Announcements: Helping you to spread the word...By Toni Bristol

We started our August campaign this year by releasing a series of PSAs. The PSAs cover a variety of topics, not just children’s vision. If you have not yet listened to the PSAs, please visit COVD’s website and listen to them. They are located under “Children’s Vision and Learning Month” as well as in the drop down menu for the Media.

The plan for the PSAs is to give you a tool to help make vision therapy visible in your community. Radios are required to air a certain amount of PSAs and depending on their size, they often have a department in charge of PSAs. PSAs have to be for a non-profit organization and COVD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Radio stations will often play PSAs when they are trying to fill air time. This can occur at any time throughout the day or night. If they really like the message for a PSA they can play it as often as they like. If you want to ensure that the PSA is aired in your area, you may be able to pay to have it run and to have them add your name at the end of the PSA, stating “sponsored by….”

If there are a number of COVD members in your area, you may want to consider joining together to pay for the radio spots. To determine which radio station you want to approach, first contact the station that the majority of the parents of your VT patients listen to. In this case, do not have a “sponsored by…” line added to the PSAs.

When you are approaching radio stations to request they air the PSAs without paying for air time, start by calling the radio station to find out who you should send the information to and be sure to get the email address. Be sure to ask if you should send an introductory email first with no links in it or if a link to the PSAs is OK. If it’s OK, send a link to COVD’s website (to the specific page that has the PSAs, http://tinyurl.com/COVDPSAs) and be sure to mention that COVD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Include the text version for the 30 second and 60 second PSAs which are on COVD letterhead. While ideally it’s best to include it as an attachment, I would recommend putting the text for the PSAs in the body of your email (you should be able to copy the text from the PDF).

As with all media, follow-up is important. Keep in mind that the individuals who work in the radio station are often very busy. They may be very interested in your email, but something hotter crosses their desk and they don’t respond to your email. Follow-up by calling to see if your email was received, again making sure you state you are calling regarding a PSA for a nonprofit organization regarding Vision and Learning (or whatever the topic is).

If you don’t hear back to your email or your call, send the email again, but take out the links and just input the text

with no attachments. If you want to have the station air the PSAs during August make sure your subject line says “time sensitive PSA.”

Sometimes the radio station will ask you to fill out some paperwork to demonstrate that the PSA is indeed for a non-profit organization. In this situation please forward the paperwork to the COVD office at info@covd.org.

Finding all the radio stations in your area is simple, visit radio-locator.com or ontheradio.net. There are also many college stations as well as other schools that have stations, in addition to many religious stations that may be very interested in airing these PSAs.

Please let us know when your PSAs are aired and if you get any feedback from your patients. We hope you enjoy them! Here’s to a great August campaign this year.

Need to insert:Toni Bristol is an Affiliate Member of COVD and a

Practice Management Consultant in Montrose, California. Ms. Bristol is COVD’s Public Awareness Campaign consultant;

in addition she serves on the COVD President’s Advisory Council. She can be reached by email at tonibristol@expansionconsultants.com

VOLUME 42, Issue 4Page 5 V I S I O N S

42nd Annual MeetingOctober 16–20, 2012

Omni Fort Worth HotelFort Worth, Texas

Tentatively Scheduled Speakers• Dr. Betsy Quinlan – Neuroplasticity• Dr. Alva Noe – Action in Perception• Dr. Jack Richman – Visual Attention• Dr. Paul Harris – Ocular Motor Measurements• Dr. Lea Hyvärinen – Early Detection, Assessment

and Intervention of Problems in Visual Development: Optometrists’ and rehabilitation ophthalmologists’ role in the transdisciplinary team work.

• Drs. Leonard Press and Jim Thimons – Masquerade

Applied Concepts & VT 101 Courses• Dr. Robert Sanet – Visual Information Processing• Drs. W.C. Maples and Angela Peddle –

Therapy Techniques• Dr. Nancy Torgerson – Vision & Learning• Dr. Curtis Baxstrom – Vision Development• VT 101 – Diana Ludlam, COVT and

Jennifer Mullen, COVT

Additional Meeting Highlights• Wednesday night OEPF/COVD Joint Symposium:

The Millionaire OD Next Door – Financial Literacy Panel – Moderator: Patrick Pirotte, OD, FCOVD

• Clinical Discussion Forum – Drs. Kellye Knueppel and Brenda Montecalvo

• New One–Day Practice Management Course – Dr. Wanda Vaughn

• Vision Therapist Education – Dr. Phil Bugaiski and his COVT, Donna Osborne

ExhibitorsAIT IndustriesBernell CorporationCollege of Syntonic OptometryCrystal Practice ManagementDiopsys, Inc.Expansion Consultants, Inc.Fresnel Prism & Lens Co.Good-LiteHOYAHTS, Inc.I See EasyInnova SystemsInteractive MetronomeLecoq Practice DevelopmentLegally Mine

Lippincott, Williams & WilkinsM & S Technologies, Inc.MiraflexNORANuSquaredOEPOptometrists NetworkOptego Vision, Inc.Paragon Vision SciencesPAVEPerception Dynamics InstituteShaw LensThree Rivers OpticalVision Leads Foundation Wayne Engineering

Page 6VOLUME 42, Issue 4 V I S I O N S

Awards for Excellence in Vision Therapy Given to Graduating Optometry Students

COVD is pleased to announce that the following students received the 2012 COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy during graduation services this spring at their school or college of optometry.

Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) Birva Kadakia

Indiana University School of Optometry (IU) Jenna Liechty

Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry (IAU) Clement Chan

Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State Univ. (MCO) Tuan Anh Tran

New England College of Optometry (NECO) Fatima Qureshi

NOVA Southeastern Univ. College of Optometry (NOVA) See Vang

Pacific University College of Optometry (PUCO) Adam Motacek

Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Salus University Jamie C. Wohlhagen

Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) Silvia Han

Southern College of Optometry (SCO) Stephanie McLin

SUNY College of Optometry Chung Toan To

The Ohio State University College of Optometry (OSU) Nikki Lee Lagendyk, OD

Univ. of Missouri, School of Optometry St. Louis, Missouri (UMSL) Patrick Stark

University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) David Thanh Dinh

University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry Susan Behrens

University of Waterloo, School of Optometry Alison Leung

The COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award is given to recognize those students who have demonstrated a strong interest and clinical skills in vision therapy. Congratulations to each of these new Optometrists!

Students & ResidentsJoin in the fun, excitement, camaraderie, and educational

opportunity at the COVD 42nd Annual Meeting.

Discounted Student Room Rate ($134 + room tax) - up to four students to a room. Contact the COVD International Office at 330-995-0718 for more details.

Student Membership Meeting Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 6:30 - 8:00 pm*

Student Mixer - Ticket Required Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 8:00 - 10:00 pm*

Student Tickets Free - Generously sponsored by HOYA Vision Care

Doctor & Guest tickets – $50. See meeting registration to order ticket. Advanced registration only!

Practice Opportunities Meeting Friday, October 19, 2012 - 3:00 - 4:00 pm*

Student/Resident Meeting Friday, October 19, 2012 - 4:00 - 5:00 pm*

Visit the Exhibit Hall See our exhibitors, the residency table manned by current residents, and the posters.

* All times subject to change. Check online for the most up-to-date schedule.

VOLUME 42, Issue 4Page 7 V I S I O N S

Therapist’s Corner • Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryBy Diana Ludlam, COVT

Individuals who have had traumatic brain injury present with a constellation of oculomotor dysfunctions and correlated symptoms. Simple and effective clinical oculomotor-based training procedures such as: versional, vergence and accommodative interventions and their interactions can and do yield very good results for these patients. Individuals who have had mild traumatic brain injury as well as those with more severe brain injury can benefit from simple, straightforward vision rehabilitation procedures. These individuals presented with symptoms of: avoiding near work, eye tracking problems eye focusing problems eyestrain, diplopia, dizziness vertigo. vision derived nausea

A recent retrospective analysis of ambulatory outpatients with mild TBI and related vision symptoms found that over 90% had one or more oculomotor dysfunctions. These included nystagmus, abnormalities in version, vergence, accommodation and eye alignment. Related symptoms included difficult tracking objects, impaired visual scanning, and slowed reading. They also showed receded near point of convergence, saccadic dysmetria, and poor fixational ability.

They reported symptoms of avoidance of near vision tasks, reading difficulties, eye tracking and focusing problems, diplopia, dizziness, vertigo, vision derived nausea, short term memory loss, distractibility, inability to interact in complex social situation, to name a few.

The ocular motor signs present were:• reduced amplitude of accommodation• increased lag of accommodation• reduced relative accommodation slowed accommodative

facility • receded NPC• restricted overall fusional vergence ranges at far and near• abnormal results on Developmental Eye Movement

(DEM) testing • low grade-level equivalent performance on the Viagraph II • impaired versional ocular motility

A simplified protocol for oculomotor training includes:• Saccades: first and last word, first and last letter• DEM as a training tool: • Pursuit: predictable, non-predictable, non-predictable

with cognitive loading (e.g.,spelling, math, etc.).• Vergence: loose prisms rock (BO, BI), Brock string,

vectographs, computer orthoptics stereoscope (BIM. BOP) Marsden Ball, etc.

Most of these individuals will also need plus lenses for all near work, usually in single vision form as compromised ocular-motor abilities make bifocal use difficult, especially in the beginning of a rehabilitation program. They are

frequently on medications that further compromise the accommodative/vergence/version abilities and this needs to be considered in the rehabilitation program prescribed by the Optometrist and implemented by the vision therapist.

For more detailed information refer to Vol 40(1) 2009 issue of Optometric Vision Development wherein these activities are described more fully.

Ongoing research in our Head Injury Clinic at SUNY College of Optometry is revealing slowed amplitudes of accommodation, slowed vergence, reduced versions, and overall impaired ocular motor skills in general. These areas are discussed in the above referenced article.

In general, individuals with mild traumatic brain injury respond quite quickly to these well established activities and lens applications that have been in place traditionally for learning related visual dysfunctions, strabismus, and other ocular motor, accommodative, vergence, deficits. This is a population that desperately wants to get better, to resume as much as possible of their lives as they were before the trauma. That may not always be possible, but what is possible, is the improvement of home and family life in the majority of cases.

Full scope functional Optometry holds hope and success for this population.

Diana Ludlam is a Certified Optometric Vision Therapist. She works at SUNY College of Optometry and is part of Dr. Kenneth

Ciuffreda’s Brain Injury Research Team, investigating the use of its evoked potentials for various measurements, several other methods

of objective measurements, and data gathering in the second year of a DOD grant concerned with mild traumatic brain injury and it’s

impact/correlates involving vision and vision processing.

Congratulations 2012 OptometryGraduates !

Let us help you keep current with behavioral and developmental optometric vision therapy. Don’t let your membership lapse. If you’re doing a residency, your membership is still free. If you’re going into practice, first year dues are only $37 through December 31, 2013 and includes our journal, Optometry & Vision Development, VISIONS Newsletter, and discounted registration to our annual meetings.

Email us at info@covd.org with your new contact info. Best of luck to you all!

Page 8VOLUME 42, Issue 4 • August 2012 V I S I O N S

215 W. Garfield Road • Suite 200 Aurora, OH 44202

**CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED**

Nonprofit Org.U.S. PostageP A I D

Willoughby, OHPermit No. 111

The Art and Science of Sports Visionpresented by Dr. Carl Hillier, OD, FCOVDAugust 4-5, 2012Atlanta, GeorgiaContact: Jennifer Wilcox, OD at 404-434-6415

COVD 42nd Annual MeetingOctober 16-20, 2012Omni Fort Worth HotelFort Worth, Texashttp://goo.gl/J4nDk

Curriculum I sponsored by the College of Syntonic OptometryNovember 3-4, 2012 Oswego, IllinoisContact: Ron Wahlmeier syntonics@q.com

Curriculum II sponsored by the College of Syntonic OptometryMarch 23-24, 2013 Oswego, IllinoisContact: Ron Wahlmeiersyntonics@q.com

81st International Conference on Light and VisionMay 2-4, 2013 St. Petersburg Beach, FloridaContact: Ron Wahlmeiersyntonics@q.com

COVD 43rd Annual MeetingOctober 8-12, 2013Rosen Shingle CreekOrlando, Florida

COVD 44th Annual MeetingOctober 21-25, 2014Sheraton San Diego Hotel & MarinaSan Diego, California

V I S I O N S N E W S L E T T E R

Upcoming Events

https://www.facebook.com/groups/covdgroup/