College Of Optometrists In Vision Development

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an international, non-profit, professional, optometric membership organization that specializes in vision therapy, visual rehabilitation, and comprehensive vision care. Founded in 1971, COVD is dedicated to advancing excellence in optometric vision therapy through education, certification, research, and advocacy. The organization plays a crucial role in promoting public awareness of the benefits of vision therapy and in supporting optometrists and other professionals in the field of developmental and functional vision care.

History

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development was established to provide a certification process for optometrists who specialize in vision therapy, to advance research in optometric vision therapy and rehabilitation, and to provide public education on the importance of vision development and rehabilitation. Since its inception, COVD has been at the forefront of advocating for the essential role of vision beyond just the ability to see clearly, emphasizing the importance of how we process and interpret visual information.

Mission and Vision

The mission of COVD is to improve lives by advancing excellence in optometric vision therapy through education and board certification of optometrists and vision therapists. The organization envisions a world where vision therapy is widely recognized and available to all individuals who could benefit from its practice.

Certification

COVD offers certification for optometrists and vision therapists. The certification process is rigorous and designed to identify individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in providing developmental and functional vision care.

• Fellowship (FCOVD): Optometrists who successfully complete the certification process are awarded the title of Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD). This designation signifies excellence in vision therapy and rehabilitation.
• Certification for Vision Therapists (COVT): Vision therapists can also achieve certification through COVD, demonstrating their expertise in delivering vision therapy under the supervision of a certified optometrist.

Education and Research

COVD is committed to advancing the field of vision therapy through ongoing education and research. The organization hosts an annual international conference that serves as a platform for sharing the latest research findings, clinical techniques, and best practices in vision therapy. Additionally, COVD provides a variety of educational resources for professionals, including journals, online courses, and webinars.

Public Awareness

One of the key objectives of COVD is to increase public awareness of the benefits of vision therapy. The organization actively engages in public education campaigns to inform individuals about how vision therapy can help overcome visual difficulties related to reading, learning, and other activities of daily living. COVD also provides resources to help individuals find certified practitioners who can assess and treat functional vision problems.

Controversies and Challenges

Like many areas of specialized healthcare, vision therapy has faced its share of controversies and challenges. Critics have questioned the efficacy of vision therapy for certain conditions, such as dyslexia. However, COVD and its members continue to support vision therapy based on a growing body of research that demonstrates its effectiveness for a wide range of visual issues, particularly those related to eye coordination, focus, and visual processing.

Conclusion

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development plays a pivotal role in the field of optometry by promoting the importance of vision development and rehabilitation. Through certification, education, research, and public awareness initiatives, COVD strives to ensure that individuals with visual difficulties receive the specialized care they need to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

This article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by registering to expand it. Editing is available only to registered and verified users. WikiMD is a comprehensive, free health & wellness encyclopedia.