Optometrists specialize in eye care.
Someone who wants to become a behavioral optometrist typically follows the traditional path of studying optometry, completing their undergraduate studies, and then enrolling in an accredited optometry school. These studies are often followed or supplemented by an education in behavioral optometry, also called functional optometry or vision therapy.
Certain additional skills are needed to become a behavioral optometrist, including training in vision therapy techniques. Depending on your location, the most common ways to obtain advanced training are by completing a clinical residency or by participating in one of the few academic programs that specialize in behavioral optometry. Regardless of their particular specialties, doctors of optometry in most jurisdictions, including the US, must be licensed before practicing.
Behavioral optometry often addresses hand-eye coordination issues.
Behavioral optometry is generally considered an alternative or complementary therapy, since it involves problems that are not normally addressed by conventional treatments. In addition to prescribing glasses or contact lenses, the behavioral optometrist performs eye therapy exercises to strengthen the eyes or correct vision problems. Some examples of common difficulties this doctor may treat include problems with color perception, peripheral vision, and the detrimental effects of poor vision on gross and fine motor skills.
In most cases, behavioral optometry is seen as an alternative and complementary practice.
To become a behavioral optometrist, you must first complete your degree and then earn a degree from an accredited optometry school. Some schools accept applicants after three years of college training, allowing them to complete a bachelor’s degree at the same time they enroll in the optometry program; other students choose to earn their bachelor’s degrees and then enroll in a graduate program. Regardless of your particular course of study, you will normally be expected to have taken a wide variety of courses to prepare for a career in optometry. A standard curriculum often includes science courses, both in the classroom and in the laboratory, as well as training in recognizing eye diseases and performing eye surgery.
Some behavioral optometrists believe that there is a causal relationship between vision problems and learning disabilities.
In addition to the basic optometry program, additional training is typically required to become a behavioral optometrist. You can gain hands-on experience by completing a clinical residency in a specialized field, such as pediatrics or vision rehabilitation. An example of a useful course for someone who wants to become a behavioral optometrist might be holistic methods to treat the whole patient, rather than just focusing on the structure of the eye.
Behavioral optometry often addresses hand-eye coordination issues and helps patients recover from stroke or other brain or eye injuries. Many behavioral optometrists also see a causal relationship between vision problems and learning disabilities. However, to date, there is not much conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of vision therapy in certain learning disorders such as dyslexia. Despite the controversy, there is still a demand for professionals in the field and many opportunities exist for those who want to become behavioral optometrists.