Entire 2009 COVD Show
All 5 Applied Concept Courses, Fellowship Training,
Vision Therapy 201 & The 2009 General Education Lectures $499

#1 Visual Information Acquisition - Robert B. Sanet, OD, FCOVD
Course Description:
    Dr. Sanet is foremost a clinician and this course will be clinically based. The course will cover efficient evaluation procedures to diagnose specific problems in visual information acquisition, educate the patient and/or parent how these relate to symptoms and performance, and demonstrate efficacious therapy technique and how they may be best sequenced to benefit the patient. The course will also provide tips on time saving report writing and good communication with parents, educators and other professionals. The course examines VT orientation, how to get patients engaged in the therapy process, how to increase patient compliance, completion of visits prescribed and ways to determine the overall success of a VT program.
    Learning is optimized through an interactive approach and having fun with hands-on demonstrations of effective therapy procedures which also give feedback to patients and parents. If you have not previously taken an Applied Concepts course, we suggest that you start your sequence with Visual Information Acquisition.
About Dr. Robert B. Sanet
    Dr. Robert B. Sanet graduated with honors from the Southern California College of Optometry. He has served as President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Chair of the A.O.A. Sports Vision Section, Board of Directors the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International Clinical Director of the Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry. He has worked with amateur and professional athletes including the USA Men’s and Women’s Olympic Volleyball teams, San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres, and LPGA Golf Professionals. Dr. Sanet is a sought after lecturer who has presented more than 1,500 hours of continuing education in the USA and 4,000 hours Internationally.
    His numerous awards include the San Diego County Optometrist of the Year, G.N. Getman Award for Excellence in Children’s Vision Care, COVD President’s Award, Ralph Barstow International Award. In 1999 Dr. Sanet was named as a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academies of Practice.
Previous Page

#2 Visual Information Processing - Carl G. Hillier, OD, FCOVD
Course Description:
    Many optometrists feel uncomfortable diagnosing reading and/or learning related vision problems and are unsure of what to do about them. This course will lay out a point-by-point method of 
how to evaluate what a person’s strengths and weaknesses are in the area of visual information processing/visual perception.The course will also show how to determine individuals’ cognitive
styles and what learning strategies they use in their everyday world. Once these factors are determined, it is possible to predict whether vision therapy may be necessary and how much improvement can be expected. Specific therapy procedures will be presented with hands-on presentation, along with suggestions on how to modify existing therapy programs and activities. Modifications for different ages and how therapy can be best sequenced for the patient will also be presented.
    Equally important is effective communication with the patient, parents, and other professionals/referral sources. This information will be introduced throughout the program where it is most appropriate. Suggestions for managing therapy within a fullscope practice will also be provided.
About Dr. Carl G. Hillier
    Dr. Hillier graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 1977 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. He received a Bachelor of Visual Science degree in 1980 and his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1982 from Pacific University. He received his COVD Fellowship in 1986.
    Dr. Hillier directed the Vision Therapy Clinic at the Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego from 1982 to 1985. In 1985, Dr. Hillier entered private practice with Dr. Robert B. Sanet in Lemon Grove, California. He is currently the Co-Director of the San Diego Center for Vision Care. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor for the Southern California College of Optometry and has provided vision training for Olympic and professional athletes. In 1992, he founded the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic in the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute at Alvarado Hospital.
Previous Page

#3 Acquired Brain Injury - Allen H. Cohen, OD, FCOVD, FAAO
Course Description:
    Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an umbrella term that encompasses Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA). Neuroanatomy will be presented as it is relevant to understanding the effects of injury on the visual system. Behavioral changes, the medical care systems, and literature reviewing the effectiveness of visual therapy in the ABI population will be discussed. This overview serves as the basis for the optometric management of ocular and visual consequences of ABI. Protocols for the evaluation of ocular and visual evaluations for ABI patients will be presented. Special accommodations for testing and treating these patients will be discussed. Treatment plans will be presented for: ocular disease, binocular and accommodative dysfunctions, ocular motor and fixation deficits, glare, photosensitivity, visual field and visual information processing defects. Effectively caring for this population is both an optometric and emotional challenge which employs the fullscope of optometric knowledge and skills.
    The course will conclude with case presentations and in-depth coverage of factors that are of prime importance in the practice management of ABI patients including appropriate record keeping and billing procedures.
About Dr. Allen H. Cohen
    Dr. Cohen is a graduate of Adelphi University and he received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1965 from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In addition to maintaining a private practice in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, he is chief of Optometry Services at the Northport VA Medical Center and Professor of Clinical Optometry at the SUNY State College of Optometry.
    Dr. Cohen is a Fellow of COVD and a Diplomate in Vision Training and Perception of the American Academy of Optometry Section on Binocular Vision and Perception. He is past president of the New York State Optometric Association and past chair of the AOA Binocular Vision and Perception Committee. He has published numerous papers and presented many lectures on the optometric rehabilitation of the head trauma patient and the diagnosis and treatment of functional vision problems.
Previous Page

#4 Strabismus and Amblyopia - Barry M, Tannen, OD, FCOVD, FAAO
Course Description:
    This course will allow a practical, clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia and strabismus. The course is designed to benefit those practitioners who have not previously treated strabismus and amblyopia, as well as to expand the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of those who have. Handson demonstrations of diagnosis and treatment techniques, as well as numerous case studies are emphasized.
  Learning Objectives:
 • Define strabismus and amblyopia
 • List incidence and prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus
 • List most probably risk factors for the development of amblyopia and strabismus
 • Differentiate between congenital and acquired forms of amblyopia and strabismus
 • Describe impact and social relevance of amblyopia and strabismus
 • List characteristics of amblyopia and strabismus
 • Know abbreviations commonly used in denoting amblyopia and strabismus
About Dr. Barry M, Tannen
    Dr. Tannen received his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1982, where he received the COVD/Skeffington Award for Clinical Excellence in Vision Therapy. He has written and co-authored numerous optometric publications, including the 1995 book “Eye Movement Basics for the Clinician”.
    Dr. Tannen is a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the American Academy of Optometry. In 2002, he was the recipient of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physician’s Scientific Achievement Award. Dr. Tannen lectures nationally and internationally on learning related vision disorders, strabismus, amblyopia, and vision therapy.
    Dr. Tannen practices at EyeCare Professionals, P.C, which is a private group optometric practice in Hamilton Square, NJ, that he cofounded with Dr. Nicholas Despotidis. Dr. Tannen also maintains an appointment as an Associate Clinical Professor of Optometry at the SUNY/State College of Optometry, where he teaches vision therapy, binocular case analysis and practice management.
Previous Page

#5 Therapeutic Lens Prescribing - Kellye Knuppel, OD, FCOVD & Brenda Heinke Montecalvo, OD, FCOVD, FAAO
Course Description:
    Optometrists have been using lenses to influence development of vision for over 80 years. Dr. A.M. Skeffington introduced using lenses for other than refractive conditions in 1928. No other profession better appreciates the impact lenses can have on patient’s lives. This course will discuss how to better understand and use lenses in diagnosing and treating vision problems commonly found in optometric practices specializing in vision therapy.
    In this interactive presentation attendees will: discuss utilization of lenses, prisms, filters and occlusion to evaluate a patient’s visual system, be able to prescribe a performance prescription and improve outcomes in the vision therapy room with lenses prisms and filters. Participants will enjoy a video based lecture style, hands-on workshops and case presentations.
    Presentations with demonstrations and workshops will include information about the optics of lenses, properties of lens materials, explanations of various theories to prescribing, how to relate the case history to potential lens prescriptions, dynamic retinoscopy, designing a complete treatment program that includes performance lenses and utlization of lenses in the therapy room, prescribing for strabismus, amblyopia, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
  Learning Objectives:
   Attendees will gain understanding of the following:
 • Understand the optics of lenses and prisms
 • Be aware of the various theories in prescribing
 • Evaluate the patient’s visual system with lenses, prisms, filters and occlusion
 • Be able to develop a wide range of prescription options including performance lenses
 • Design a complete treatment program that includes performance lenses and utilization of lenses in
   vision therapy
 • Perform various types of case analysis
 • Understand the properties of lens materials and how they affect visual performance
 • Perform dynamic retinoscopy
About Dr. Kellye Knuppel & Dr. Brenda Heinke Montecalvo
   Dr. Knueppel has dedicated her career to the practice of optometric vision therapy. She is a graduate of Southern California College of Optometry and completed the SUNY Vision Therapy Residency in 1994. She is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She has completed extensive study in vision development, strabismus and amblyopia, vision and learning, and prescribing therapeutic performance lenses. Dr. Knueppel was named WOA Optometrist of the Year in 2006. She is a Director of the Wisconsin Optometric Association Board, Adjunct Clinical Faculty for Illinois College of Optometry, and Wisconsin Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program. She has interacted with clinicians from all over the world through participation in four Special Olympics World Games. Dr. Knueppel is a national and local speaker on vision therapy. She is Administrator of the Invitational Lens Symposium and administrator and presenter for Impact Vision Seminars.
   Dr. Montecalv o graduated with distinction from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1985. She is a fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the American Academy of Optometry and has achieved Skill Level II in the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association. Dr. Montecalvo has completed extensive study in the area of strabismus and amblyopia, vision and learning, preventive eye care and neuro-optometric rehabilitative therapies. While practicing optometry in Ohio, Dr. Montecalvo has also lectured internationally and authored self help manuals on binocular vision, vision development, strabismus and amblyopia and practice management. She is a trustee for Ohio Optometry Association, AOA Neuro-Optometric Committee member, Past President of NORA, Coordinating Chairperson for the John Streff Invitational Lens Symposium and is on the Montegomery County Health Advisory Council.
Previous Page