Q. Dr. O’Brien board certified in Optometric Vision Therapy
A. In 2014 the College of Optometrists in Vision Development inducted Dr. Erica O’Brien as a Fellow at the annual conference in San Diego. As of 2014, Dr. O’Brien is one of eleven (11) optometrists in the State of Texas with this distinguished credential. She has successfully completed the International Examining Board’s requirements including over 100 hours of continuing education and training, written tests, and an oral interview to specialize in vision rehabilitation.
Q. Dr. Larson inducted by Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association
A. The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) inducted Dr. Briana Larson as a Fellow (FNORA) during its 2014 Annual Conference at North Carolina. A Fellow (FNORA) designation is recognition of a professional’s highest level of competence in clinical abilities and scientific knowledge in the field of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation.
Q. TOA names Dr. Larson the Mollie Armstrong Leadership Award recipient
A. The Texas Optometric Association (TOA) named Dr. Briana Larson as the 2013 recipient of the Mollie Armstrong Leadership Award during its annual convention in Austin, TX on Feb 21-24, 2013. The award recognizes an optometrist who has performed significant public service for others and rendered exemplary service to the visual welfare of Texans.
Q. Dr. Larson board certified in Optometric Vision Therapy
A. The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has certified Dr. Briana Larson of (Austin, Texas) as a Fellow of the College (FCOVD) at the association’s annual meeting held October 12-16, 2010 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico by the COVD Board of Directors in 2010. Dr. Larson also has obtained post-doctorate residency training in Vision Therapy Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Pediatric Optometry, a certification achieved by less than 1% of doctors.
The COVD Fellow certification process serves to identify doctors of optometry who are prepared to offer state-of-the-art clinical services in behavioral and developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. All COVD Fellows are Board certified in vision development and therapy and offer functional and preventative vision care services to their patients.
To become a Fellow of COVD, optometrists who have practiced for at least three years must complete a Fellowship education program, a written examination and an oral interview administered by the COVD International Examination and Certification Board. Obtaining a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education annually is needed to maintain Fellow status in COVD.
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development is a professional membership association of optometrists, optometric vision therapist, optometry residents, students, and other eye care professionals. In addition to conducting a certification program, COVD also provides members and the public with access to information, research, education materials and programs in the areas of developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy, vision rehabilitation and related fields.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela R. Happ, CAE – COVD Executive Director at phapp@covd.org or 330.995.0718 or Dr. Briana Larson, OD, FCOVD-Clinical Director of The Optometry Center of Vision Therapy at connect@ocvt.info 0r 512.401.0400.
Q. Texas Optometric Association names Dr. Larson Austin spokesperson
A. The Texas Optometric Association (TOA) in conjunction with the American Optometric Association (AOA) designates Dr. Briana Larson as the Austin area spokesperson for Children Vision Issues and the InfantSEE program.
Q. American Academy of Optometry inducts Dr. Larson as a Fellow
A. The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) inducted Dr. Briana Larson, Clinical Director of The Optometry Center for Vision Therapy as a Fellow of the Academy during its annual conference in Phoenix, AZ on October 24-27, 2012.
Fellows of the Academy are evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence and must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist and sitting for an oral exam at the Annual Meeting of the Academy. About 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry.
Q. Dr. Larson, key presenter at Vision-Learning seminars and conferences
A. Dr. Larson is a sought after presenter on the subject of vision & learning. She presents several topics on vision at the Vision & Learning Connection seminar in cooperation with MEDS-PDN. The seminar has been designed for the following professionals: Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Psychologists, Special Education Teachers, Reading Specialists, Counselors, School Nurses and Optometrists. The purpose of the seminar is to provide a better understanding about the connection between vision and learning. Seminars were presented in Austin in 2009; Waco and College Station in 2010; San Antonio and Austin in 2011.
Other Presentations:
Optometric Management of the Child with Autism
Eastern States Optometric Education Conference, New York, NY
Optometric Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY
Differential Diagnosis of Bilateral Duane’s Syndrome
American Academy of Optometry, Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL
Q. 6th OCVT Vision Therapy Patients Appreciation Day
The Optometry Center for Vision Therapy celebrated its 6th Vision Therapy (VT) Patients Appreciation Day by hosting current and graduate vision therapy patients to a special appreciation event on October 24, 2015.
Q. 2016 Vision and Learning Grant announced
A. Dr. Larson and the staff of OCVT give careful consideration to their community outreach efforts. They select initiatives that promote social and citizenship responsibilities among the OCVT team members that align closely with OCVT beliefs and values. Dr. Larson believes better vision and better learning promises better living. The OCVT initiatives are:
OCVT Initiatives:
OCVT Vision and Learning Grant
The purpose of the grant is to help improve the reading and learning skills of deserving Greater Austin Area students who have learning-related vision problems contributing to their reading and learning difficulties. Schools are invited to submit their grant candidates to OCVT on an annual basis. The grant is for students from families who cannot afford to pay for a vision therapy treatment program. OCVT’s Grant is in the form of services provided. OCVT provides eye exams, evaluations and vision therapy treatments to grant recipients at no cost. Since its inception in 2009, over forty (40) recipients from Austin area schools have benefited from OCVT grants. To date, the total value of services provided by the grants exceeds $375,000. Starting in 2015 the grant is available to San Antonio area students. Read More
InfantSEE
Texas Optometric Association (TOA), in conjunction with the American Optometric Association (AOA) has designated Dr. Larson as the Austin area spokesperson for children’s vision issues and the InfantSEE Program. OCVT is an active participant in the InfantSEE Program. Dr. Larson is an InfantSEE committee member for the state of Texas. They conduct workshops with hands-on training for paraoptometrics and optometrists at TOA conferences such as the TOA Convention and EyeCon. Read More
Special Needs Advocacy
Dr. Larson concentrated her post-doctorate research on the optometric management of children with Autism and ADHD. She meets and speaks with parents, teachers and other special needs support groups about vision system deficiencies affecting children with special needs. Most recently, Dr. Larson donated and conducted a full day educational seminar for the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas in Hallettsville, Texas.
Advocacy for Community Volunteerism
Each quarter OCVT team members select an Austin area Philanthropy effort (4th qtr 2013 – Coats for Kids) in which they actively participate.
Dr. Larson is an active member of The Junior League of Austin – The Junior League of Austin is a diverse group of dedicated women working to make Austin a better place. The Junior League of Austin is a nonprofit organization formed in 1934 committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
Q. Vision & Learning connection seminars
A. Dr. Larson presents a series of Vision and Learning Connection Seminars at both OCVT locations.
The seminars are scheduled on a regular basis. Attendees will:
- Learn more about the vision and learning connection.
- Understand how early detection can save years of struggling.
- Discover how to recognize conditions and how to obtain full vision potential.
- Discuss options if you think your child has a learning- related vision problem.
Please contact us for schedules and to reserve your seat at the next seminar. Seating is limited.
(512) 401-0400 / (512) 614-1640 or via email connect@ocvt.info
Schedules permitting, Dr. Larson also conducts an In-service workshop for schools and school districts at their premises. Requests can be made via email connect@ocvt.info
Q. OCVT Vision Therapists are Board Certified
A. There are currently seven (7) OCVT vision therapists board certified by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) as Certified Optometric Vision Therapists (COVT).
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has board certified Rebecca Brady as a Certified Optometric Vision Therapist (COVT) during the association’s 2015 convention held in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to Victoria Atkinson who was certified by COVD during the association’s annual meeting held in Orlando, FL on October 8-12, 2013.
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) announced that Angela Aguilar, Ashley Alavi and Allison McIver of Austin, TX were inducted as Certified Optometric Vision Therapists (COVT) at the association’s annual meeting held October 16-20, 2012 in Ft. Worth, Texas. They were among only 23 therapists awarded COVT status by the COVD’s International Examination and Certification Board (IECB) in 2012. Angela, Ashley and Allison work at the Optometry Center for Vision Therapy with Dr. Briana Larson. This brings to a total of five OCVT Vision Therapists who have achieved this distinction.
To become a COVT, a therapist must be actively engaged in vision therapy in the employ of a Fellow of the College, complete a guided study education program, and pass a written and an oral examination process administered by the IECB. The certification process provides an opportunity for optometric vision therapists to expand and document their knowledge and skills in vision therapy and enhances their ability to assist the optometrist in providing patient services in this important area of optometric care. Congratulations to Angela, Ashley and Allison.
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has board certified Ashley Coley and Rachel Bailey as CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIC VISION THERAPISTS (COVT) at the Association’s annual meeting held October 25-29, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.
The certification process involves a 12 to 18 months rigorous evaluation of the Vision Therapist’s knowledge and abilities in providing developmental and behavioral vision care for patients.
Congratulations to Ashley Coley, COVT, Head of Vision Therapy – OCVT Pecan Park and Rachel Bailey, COVT, Head of Vision Therapy- OCVT Westlake.
