AURORA, Ohio, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has posted its current issue of Optometry & Vision Development online and invites all to read the full-text articles free of charge.

The journal of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Optometry & Vision Development (OVD), Volume 42 Number 1 offers articles concerning clinical research on children with visual impairment and their focusing ability; an assessment of visual processing disorders within families; and how to use an instrument designed for one purpose and adapting it to assess how efficiently the eyes move.

OVD editor, Dr. Dominick M. Maino notes that, "You'd think eye care professionals would know that children with macular pathologies and in need of Low Vision specialty lenses would take into account accommodative demand (focusing) when prescribing for near. Unfortunately, all too often they do not." Catherine L. Heyman, OD, FAAO, FCOVD; assistant professor at the Southern California College of Optometry and author of the article, Accommodative Response in Children with Visual Impairment, finds it is necessary to consider using dynamic near retinoscopy to assess each patient's accommodative response prior to prescribing near addition lenses. Using the Grand Seiko WV500 autorefractor, each subject's accommodative response was measured. Her subjects had accommodative responses of various sub-types. These included the "negative slope lag," "fixed lag," "fixed accurate," "positive slope lag" and the "fixed lead" sub-types. Each individual would require a different use of near point lenses for maximum efficiency and to improve their quality of life.

In the article, Evidence for Familial Link in Visual Processing Disorders, faculty from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris University demonstrated a potential link between heritability of visual processing disorders and hair color. Drs. Sarah Hinkley and Paula Smith concluded in the article that "There appears to be significant associations between the scores of family members on visual processing tests, however, the role of environment cannot be ruled out as a factor." Will it be possible to determine which children may be at risk for vision information processing/visual perception problems by hair color? Since additional research in this area is required, we cannot say so at this time. We know appropriate vision information processing is vital to academic achievement and overall school performance; if a link is found between hair color and VIP this might lead to improved screening methods for children with learning related vision problems.

OVD's article, The VisionPrint System: A new tool in the diagnosis of ocular motor dysfunction, evaluates using the Essilor designed VisionPrint System (VPS) to objectively measure the individual's head to eye movement ratio (H/E). This information is then used to determine the physiological needs of those with presbyopia. Optometry student, Janna Iyer, Drs. Marc B. Taub and WC Maples of the Southern College of Optometry found that: "The VPS can effectively be used to assess ocular motor function" and that "Since excessive head movement is a sign of ocular motor dysfunction, the VPS can assist practitioners in assessing eye/head movements, leading to a diagnosis of ocular motor dysfunction." This means that a tool initially designed for one purpose may have multiple uses within the optometrist's office.

Can a piece of string actually be the latest in technology? In his editorial, Brock String Debuts at 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Dr. Dominick M. Maino, Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry, and OVD Editor, tells how a simple piece of string can be used to diagnose and treat binocular vision problems that interfere with enjoying 3D entertainment and classroom learning. In the editorial Dr. Maino states, "3D. There's an app for that. It's called Optometric Vision Therapy," which means many of those with problems appreciating the 3D experience can be helped by vision therapy. He also noted, "Unlike that other eye-care profession that tells consumers not to view 3D if it makes them uncomfortable; we are not the Doomsday docs of 3D. We want 3D to succeed so that all can enjoy an improved vocational, recreational and educational experience."

Also included in this edition of OVD are our regular features: current literature review, practice management articles, book review, and our NewsMakers column.

About Optometry & Vision Development

Optometry & Vision Development (OVD) is a peer-reviewed open access journal indexed in the online Directory of Open Access Journals. The full text of these articles is available free from www.covd.org. OVD is an official publication of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Any questions may be addressed to the editor, Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A at dmaino@covd.org or 312-949-7282.

About COVD

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an international, non-profit optometric membership organization that provides education, evaluation, and board certification programs in behavioral and developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy, and visual rehabilitation. The organization is comprised of doctors of optometry, vision therapists, and other vision specialists. For more information on learning-related vision problems, optometric vision therapy, and COVD please visit www.covd.org or call 888.268.3770.

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Dominick M. Maino
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CONTACT:  Pamela R. Happ, CAE
COVD Executive Director
Phone: 888.268.3770
Email: phapp@covd.org
Website: www.covd.org

SOURCE College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)