BEHAVIOURAL LENS
TRIALS: INTRODUCTION
by Dr. Charles Boulet
For vision therapy doctors of
optometry, aka ‘VTODs’, lenses are
one part of the treatment regimen for
visual dysfunction. Sometimes they
are used therapeutically then removed,
sometimes they are palliative, and
sometimes they are there to boost
function in some contexts only. Sometimes, lenses are not used at all and only
visual rehabilitation is required.
There is little doubt that lenses are
an indispensable tool for the behavioural/ developmental practitioner,
the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of vision
rehabilitation. This notion has been
elaborated many times elsewhere
since in literature, and most recently
in a number of current volumes on
vision rehabilitation.
Nowadays, we have an embarrassment
of riches when it comes to lens designs
and options. Still, if the goal is to meet
the therapeutic and functional needs
of the client, then we need to pay due
attention in selecting lens options as
a function of the patient’s visual
profile versus the visual nature of the
tasks they are performing.
In my clinic and writing, I work to
remain updated on new technology
and never rest on what lens reps
recommend. Every manufacturer, it
seems, has ‘the best’ lenses, but it can
be hard to notice the practical differences when compared side-by-side.
Sometimes the best tools are the old
tools. As a rule, I will not recommend
a product I have not tried myself.
in the lens industry and while they expressed some interest in this project,
they insisted on restrictions on what
I might write about: Either their products would be featured in isolation,
or they could not ‘help’. In the end,
I simply ordered what I needed and
paid out of pocket.
Finally, in our trials, we considered
manufacturer’s specification, patient
visual functional status, staff opinions
on their own experiences with lenses,
and the patient’s visual tasking requirements. In the coming four articles,
I will review my favourites from this
trial, and how I use these to address
common clinical behavioural and
developmental needs. We will
consider specific lenses, coatings,
and colour filters.
Dr. Charles Boulet began his professional career in education in 1990,
a science teacher and early integrator
of technology in the classroom.
His practice is in Black Diamond,
Alberta. His background includes
degrees in neural science and
education from the University of
Alberta, and a doctorate in optometry with a behavioural focus from
Pacific Unversity. His paper on
visual impediments to learning and
development remains a common
reference for therapists from
varied domains (http://oepf. org/
visual-impediments-to-learning/).
An active advocate for higher child
vision standards, he continues to
consult and teach on child learning
and behaviour concerns around the
province and online.
SPOTLIGHT
NIKE
NIKE VISION DEVELOPED NEW MATERIALS AND VISION
TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE HIGH PERFORMANCE EYEWEAR
About 18 months ago, I began trials of
new lenses to see what seemed to work
best for my clients from recent offerings in ophthalmic optics technology,
and for subsequent reference in my
writing. I had contacted the big names
THAT STAYS STABLE DURING MOVEMENT, GRIPS WHEN ATHLETES SWEAT
24 Optical Prism | May 2016
> WWW.MARCHON.COM
AND CONFORMS TO THE SHAPE OF HIS OR HER FACE FOR MAXIMUM
COMFORT. ON THE FIELD, ON THE TRAIL, OR ON THE COURSE, EYEWEAR
THAT DOESN’T FOG UP IS ESSENTIAL. NIKE VISION ATTACKS THE PROGRAM
FROM ALL ANGLES, LOOKING BEYOND THE LENSES INSTEAD TO THE WHOLE
FRAME, ENSURING OPTIMUM VENTILATION FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE.