Q&A

When the public hears the term “hero,” they often think of police, fire fighters and military personnel. But, we, as optometrists, know that our great profession is rife with heroes. This month, I focus on some of the heroes who belong to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (C.O.V.D.) (covd.org ).

The C.O.V.D., a roughly 45-year-old non-profit, international membership organization that includes optometrists, optometry students and vision therapists, provides board certification in behavioral and developmental vision care, vision therapy and visual rehabilitation to enhance visual abilities and correct vision problems in infants, children and adults.

Because of C.O.V.D. members’ work with patients, vision has been saved, children have excelled academically and adults who have lost vision because of systemic disease or circumstance have been able to maintain a high quality of life.

This month, I recognize some of the organization’s leaders: President Barry Tannen, President-Elect Christine Allison and Secretary and Treasurer Daniel Press.

Jack Schaeffer, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Editor-in-Chief
O.D. Scene

OPTOMETRY GROUP WEIGHS IN . . .

CHRISTINE ALLISON, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D.,
DANIEL PRESS, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.
& BARRY TANNEN, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

Q: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRIST IN VISION DEVELOPMENT (C.O.V.D.)?

CA: C.O.V.D. has many purposes, but the annual meeting is a wonderful event that brings together new and old doctors who love working with patients using vision therapy (VT) and making a difference in their lives. I encourage my residents and students to attend each year because they can learn so much just from talking to other doctors about what they do in their offices.

DP: I think the mission statement of C.O.V.D. says it all: “Improving lives by advancing excellence in optometric vision therapy and rehabilitation through education and board certification.” Helping people enhance their quality of life is what C.O.V.D. is all about. Awareness within the eye care field is the first step, and I see C.O.V.D. as a critical vehicle for increasing awareness within and outside of optometry.

BT: C.O.V.D. is an international organization involved in certifying optometrists and vision therapists in vision development, VT and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. We also provide world-class CE in these areas and serve the public and other professionals by providing information about VT and vision development.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CASE AND WHY?

CA: This is hard because I feel like every time we give a child glasses, perform VT or catch an ocular disease condition, we are making a huge change in that person’s life.

DP: A 7-year-old boy recently diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia was falling behind quickly in first grade. He presented with an intermittent exotropia at near, poor accommodation and poor tracking skills. Within 12 weeks of VT, he was performing much better. At the completion of VT his mother told me that he was no longer diagnosed as having ADHD and dyslexia.

BT: A 70+ year-old gastroenterologist who recently suffered a stroke presented with a suspected left hemianopsia, among other deficits. I said I was there to evaluate his vision and help him in any way I could. He took my hand with both of his hands and said to me, “Help me, please help me.” Our entire office was able to help him!

Q: WHAT PEDIATRIC EYE CONDITION DO YOU SEE THE MOST IN PRACTICE, AND DO YOU HAVE ANY THEORIES AS TO WHY?

CA: I see a lot of strabismus. The practice is located in an underserved urban area with a large percentage of Medicaid patients. As a result, there may be issues, such as lack of prenatal care, drug/alcohol/smoking, etc. that may be causing this high percentage of patients. Many of our patients don’t get regular medical care and have had an eye turn for many years before they are brought in for exams.

DP: Convergence Insufficiency (CI). I have two thoughts on this. 1.) The prevalence of CI in post-concussion pediatric patients is incredibly high (approximately 70% for CI, accommodative or saccadic dysfunction). How many children have never bumped their heads at some point in their lives? Is it possible that an early mild concussion altered their convergence skills as they were developing? 2.) CI is as prevalent as it is because the human visual system is primed for hunting and gathering skills. Extended near point work is a relatively new phenomenon from an evolutionary standpoint. I’m surprised more people are not symptomatic!

BT: What’s striking to me is the increased incidence of myopia in younger patients. While I can’t be certain, I suspect that this may be in part due to increased visual demands and increased time spent on computers, phones, tablets etc. by children of all ages.

Q: HOW HAVE YOU PERSONALLY BENEFITTED FROM JOINING C.O.V.D.?

CA: I love the people I meet at C.O.V.D. It is the happiest group of optometrists out there because they know they are truly making a difference in their patients’ lives.

DP: C.O.V.D. has allowed me access to hundreds of like-minded individuals. Also, the member resources on the website, especially coding and billing, were instrumental in helping me set up the VT practice and being listed on the “Locate a Doctor” feature of the website has led to several referrals.

BT: Aside from the tangible benefit of being a fellow of C.O.V.D., which many optometrists and other health professionals use to refer patients for VT, I enjoy the C.O.V.D. annual meeting, as it has become a place for friends and colleagues who practice in this specialty to reconnect.

Q: HOW DOES THE PROFESSION OPEN THE DIALOG OF O.D.-TO-O.D. REFERRALS?

CA: Since I work at the Illinois College of Optometry, we automatically get a lot of referrals from graduates who may not do VT in their practices, but know that we do.

DP: I believe that more education needs to take place at our local societies, state and national meetings. We also need more publications to emphasize proper referral patterns within optometry.

BT: We have many O.D. referrals for VT. Once O.D.s realize we are there to help their patients with VT and then return them for all their primary eye care needs, the barriers to referral are lessened considerably.

Q: WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

CA: I am married to Greg Furman, and have three children: Thomas (age 15), Allison (13) and Katrina (11). For fun, I like to play tennis, and I love to travel, especially with my family.

DP: My wife, Sara, is my fuel. She motivates me to be better than I was yesterday. I could not imagine being where I am today without her. We have three amazing children, Ethan (6), Ella (4) and Eva (2). For fun, I enjoy golfing (even though I am poor at it), watching sports, playing poker with the guys, working out, when I can, and getting away with my family.

BT: My wife, Sandi, my daughter Rachael (and her fiancée Shawn) and my son, Noah. We all like to hike and enjoy moderately technical hikes (Old Rag Mountain in Virginia was one of our favorites). Also, we love to travel, and I am an avid tennis player. I enjoy playing in leagues as well as United States Tennis Association tournaments.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK, MOVIE, BAND AND ADULT BEVERAGE?

CA: Book: “Pillars of the Earth;” Movie: All three of the “Lord of the Rings;” Band: John Mellencamp; Adult beverage: hard ciders and wines.

DP: Book: “The Client,” Movie: “Goodfellas,” Band: Green Day, Adult beverage: Titos and soda.

BT: Book: “The World According to Garp” (my then-future wife was reading at the same time, and it was a great icebreaker); Movie: “Forrest Gump” (I still quote lines from it); Band: Bob Marley and the Wailers; Adult beverage: Red wine from Turley Wine Cellars is among my favorite. It’s hard to come by, but I have a “source.” OM