ICO Tour 2009

The Impact of Binocular Vision Problems on Children

You have worked hard and you made it! You were accepted as a graduate student at The Illinois College of Optometry. Congratulations!

Now, your next challenge...complete optometry school and begin your career as a Doctor of Optometry!

How will you practice? What will be your practice emphasis? Will you be in a primary care setting or a specialty area? Will you see children in your practice?

If you plan on providing primary care, then families will be a part of that care. Yes you will see children!

And since most of the children you will encounter will have two eyes, there is a likelyhood that some of these kids will have binocular vision problems. What is the likelyhood that a child will have a binocular vision problem?

1. Less than 1%
2. 2-4%
3. 5-15%
4. 20-25%

Provide your answer in the comment section below. The 1st person to site the reference (in the comment section) will win a special prize on Thursday. (You must show up and introduce yourself to me to get the prize!)

Just in case you wondered, what it would feel like to have a binocular vision problem, I created a quick and easy ppt download for you to check out. Click here and download the experience! Download How_would_you_feel_if_it_looked_like_this

I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday at ICO!

Dr. F.

 

Thursday Night - ICO Tour de Optometry Presentation

Dear ICO Students and Faculty,

I'm very much looking forward to making the trek to Chicago and seeing you all on Thursday night, December 3rd!  I have lectured to several schools around the country but love coming to ICO... my last being May 2006. COVD initiated this lecture series, to reach out to every College of Optometry in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico in order to help the future of Optometry, the students, be aware of the critical importance of developmental, binocular vision care and vision therapy for the patients that you will serve.

I really like the above photo, which was taken during my trip to NOVA (2007), at which time I was not only able to lecture but participate in the binocular vision lab. We all had a lot of fun!

During this Thursday's visit, I will be sharing with you some insights and important elements to know in your future optometric care of your patients. NO this will not be a boring lecture! This will be stuff that I hope you will find extremely relevant, interesting and yes, we will have some fun too! What's more COVD will be buying dinner! Hey, now that is such a deal!!

On this blog site, I am hoping to pique your interest in the presentation plus have a little dialog.

Prior to Thursday's visit, I am very interested in hearing from you. Now, I realize you are very busy and you don't need "one more thing" to do. But, if you would have a moment between hitting the books and clinic, please leave a comment. From a general stand point, what are your primary interests and or concerns for your future patient care? By that I mean, what aspect of patient care do you feel will be the most gratifying and what area are you most concerned about? Even though you will receive an outstanding education at ICO, do you have any questions or concerns about the area of binocular vision or vision therapy? Is this an area you would like to provide to your patients or do you want to "leave it to someone else"?  I would especially like to know if there is anything you would like me to be sure to include in this presentation?

So, with that in mind, please leave comments.

I look forward to seeing you all in just a few days!

Dr. F.

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD

Past President, COVD