History of Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation

Whilst OEP (The Optometric Extension Program) catered for education and COVD (The Committee of Vision Development) catered for an academic qualification some optometrists felt that a separate organisation, NORA (The Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association) was required to cater for children and adults with acquired brain injury and stroke.

NORA (The Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association) was founded in 1990 by optometrists Bill Padula, Vincent Vicci, Daniel Gottleib, John Streff, Gus Forkiotis, Todd Davis and John Thomas.

Initially, Professor Ken Ciuffreda at the State University of New York (SUNY) was involved with NORA academically. Although Professor Ciuffreda is still involved, the current NORA Fellowship programme is run by Dr Derek Tong, Adjunct Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry whilst the immediate past president of NORA is Dr Curt Baxstrom, Associate Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.

NORA encourages members of other professions such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and carers to join its organisation as well as optometrists. This is so that knowledge of the intervention strategies that can be used by optometrists with brain injury patients can also be shared with other health care professionals, patients and their families.

President Bill Clinton personally endorsed the work of NORA in 1993.

Members of NORA teach at a number of optometry schools in America and Professor Hannu Laukkanen has started an education programme as regards the treatment of brain injury as part of the Optometry course at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.

This education programme allows optometry students to gain experience in dealing with patients with brain injury, stroke or concussion.

A number of NORA trained optometrists work alongside neuro-ophthalmologists in hospitals across America as part of the brain injury care team. These neuro-ophthalmologists have in turn lectured at NORA conferences.

Dr Kristi Jensen, former head of Vision Therapy at Western University School of Health Sciences in California states that most optometry schools in America run their own neuro-optometry courses.

This is because the optometry schools feel that they have a duty to teach optometry students about all aspects of the profession including Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation and Behavioural Optometry.

NORA’s fellowship process requires candidates to attend the NORA Clinical Skills courses in America before attempting fellowship. More information about NORA Fellowship can be found at www.noravisionrehab.org