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OPTOMETRY EDUDATION AND RESEARCH

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Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of the primary eye care services in the United States. They are more widely distributed geographically than other eye care providers and are readily accessible for the delivery of eye and vision care services. Approximately 37,000 full-time equivalent doctors of optometry practice in more than 7,000 communities across the United States, serving as the sole primary eye care provider in more than 4,300 communities.The mission of the profession of optometry is to fulfill the vision and eye care needs of the public through clinical care, research, and education, all of which enhance the quality of life.INTRODUCTIONOptometry has a long history of caring for individuals with learning problems.^{1 -3} Parents, teachers, and therapists often seek diagnostic evaluation to determine whether a vision problem could be a factor contributing to learning problems. In addition, intervention strategies developed by optometry have been incorporated into conventional therapeutic approaches for these individuals. Thus, Doctors of Optometry function as members of a multidisciplinary team of health care practitioners and special education professionals in the comprehensive care of individuals with learning problems.^4,5 The Joint Organizational Policy Statement on Vision, Learning and Dyslexia addresses these issues (See Appendix Figure 1).⁶This Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline on Care of the Patient with Learning Related Vision Problems describes appropriate evaluation methods and management strategies to reduce the risk of vision problems’ interference with the learning process. It contains recommendations for timely diagnosis, intervention, and, when necessary, referrals for consultation and/or treatment by another health care provider or education professional. This Guideline will assist Doctors of Optometry in achieving the following goals:• Diagnose learning related vision problems Improve the quality of care provided to patients with learning related vision problems Select appropriate evaluation instruments to evaluate learning related vision problem Select appropriate management strategies for patients with learning related vision problems Minimize the adverse effects of learning related vision problems and enhance quality of life Inform and educate other health care professionals, parents, teachers, and the educational system about the nature of learning related vision problems and the availability of treatment.Statement of the Problem 2I. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM A. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS1. EffectsThe standards of learning competencies required meeting changing societal needs and conditions are increasing.

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