Two years ago, I wrote a blog piece for COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development) to help patients with strabismus (eye turns) learn more about their options for treating the problem.
Boy, did it take off! See the follow-up blog (Careful what you wish for).
So now, how do we help all the international patients who don’t have vision therapy as an option? especially vision therapy for strabismus!?
Perhaps vision therapy can reach new populations with a satellite approach, using ongoing support and international case-supervision via video conferencing (like Skype). The question is, what sort of professional(s) would be best suited to provide vision therapy, with additional training?
Optometry simply does not have a parallel in many areas of the world. The vision therapy side of optometry is quite different from ophthalmology, which is more medically oriented or “eyeball-oriented.” In the United States, the closest allied fields are providing behaviorally-oriented support. These would include occupational therapy and neuropsychology/ cognitive therapy.
- What are the parallel fields in South America?
- other parts of Europe?
- Perhaps it is time to consider our options for expanding support?
- Please share your ideas!
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