Page 15 - envision11-2021

Cover Story

V ISION T HER APY

BECOMING A FUNCTIONAL

want to introduce additional specialities that will help them OPTOMETRIST
to generate income and vision therapy is one such speciality.”
significant amount of continuing education and
Dr. McKenzie says she is seeing more patients who would A
experience are essential to establish a successful
benefit from the services of vision therapists, citing, “the vision therapy practice, says Dr. Shirley Ha,
epidemic of computer use among young people, which leads
to myopia and problems with focusing.” a functional optometrist and a founding member of
Vision Therapy Canada (VTC).
And since vision therapy is performed in-office, it creates “Functional optometry is considered extended
another reason for clients to visit their optometric practitioners education after completing regular optometry school,”
in person, rather than using impersonal online services.
she explains. “Optom 109, 219, 272 and 377 at the
One challenge facing functional optometrists is the perceived University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and
high cost of their services, which can put them out of reach of Vision Science provide the “basics” or introduction
some people who would benefit from them. to functional optometry with some clinic rotations in
binocular vision.” L’Université de Montréal provides
Dr. McKenzie notes that practitioners require specialized similar foundational courses through its School of
training, which is costly (see sidebar). “I have several Optometry.
therapists to educate, plus I need to purchase specialized
equipment and have a work space large enough for my The best continuing education courses in North America
practice,” she explains. are offered by VTC, COVD (College of Optometrists
in Vision Development) and OEPF (Optometric
One insurance company has started offering coverage for Extension Program Foundation); advanced courses are
functional optometry services, she adds, and patients with available from NORA (Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation
health spending accounts can now get financial help to offset
the costs. Association) and CSO (College of Syntonics Optometry).
Graduating optometry students may also choose to do a
“VTC is talking to insurers about how people can benefit one-year residency program in Vision Therapy.
from their services,” she says. “We point out that if someone “There are many international organizations, such as
sees a vision therapist for treatment early on, their
rehabilitation might be quicker, which would enable them to those in Europe and Australia, who offer similar courses
return to work sooner.” if you want to get a different perspective and travel
abroad,” says Dr. Ha.
As well, VTC’s Fretz Fund is open to Canadians who find Vision therapy/rehabilitation is taught more widely in
themselves in need of vision therapy, but have difficulty some U.S. Schools of Optometry than in Canada, she
raising the funds to pay for it.
adds, referencing examples such as the State University
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming of New York College of Optometry (SUNY), Southern
a functional optometrist, Shirley Ha suggests you contact College of Optometry (SCO), Illinois College of
a successful vision therapy practitioner who can provide Optometry (ICO) and Nova Southeastern University
guidance about the education, start-up costs, management (NSU) College of Optometry.
and other things needed for success in the field.
There are an estimated 250-300 developmental/functional
VTR has a membership level for people interested in dipping optometrists across Canada, says Dr. Ha. The practice
their toes into the water, says Dr. McKenzie. “You is gaining momentum as awareness increases with
can spend time with a functional optometrist and talk about the help of VTC (Vision Therapy Canada) and other
what it’s like to run a vision therapy office. We work with organizations, such as COVD, OEPF, NORA and CSO.
people on a one-to-one basis and we’re trying to recruit
speakers to address every provincial optometric organization To encourage optometrists to consider training in
across Canada.” functional optometry, VTC provides scholarship funds
through the University of Waterloo and l’Université de
Kristel Jefferies cautions that for those entering the field, Montréal schools of optometry.
there can be a steep learning curve. “I would advise them to
take as much continuing education on the topic as possible For those interested in learning more, VTC provides
in their first few years. And be gentle on yourself as you education, study groups and training for vision therapy.
undertake the journey of learning this new, and rewarding, For further information, visit visiontherapycanada.com
aspect of our profession.” n or email them at info@visiontherapycanada.com.
E

/ www.ENVISIONMAGAZINE.ca / NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 / 13