Vision Therapy Referral and Co-management Information
We have been active in the co-management of vision therapy for the last 15 years. Dr. Colin Kageyama was the opening speaker in the 2003 COVD International Meeting, where he and Dr. Gary Etting introduced the concept of vision therapy co-management. We are a non-dispensing practice, that is not on panel for any vision care insurance programs.
Since there are no optical services provided by this practice, if we feel that lenses are needed by the patient, we will refer that patient back to your office for those services. Dr. Kageyama has taught several continuing education classes outlining referral criteria and guidelines for co-managing vision therapy patients at different levels of participation.
If you are interested in co-managing or referring patients, our office can has assembled forms and guidelines to help you through this process. We can supply your office with patient information pamphlets that relate to our testing services and the visual conditions that we treat with vision therapy.
Dr. Kageyama is board certified in vision therapy by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD).
COVD has a white paper on its website that addresses referral protocol for specialized optometric care, under the title "Referral Protocol Ethics."
We adhere closely to the COVD protocols.
Our experience has been that the patient has the best outcome when there is collaboration between the referring OD and our practice. We appreciate of the confidence that local doctors of optometry have placed in our practice.
Doctors tend to refer our patients in four general areas:
- Learning-Related Vision Problems
- Strabismus
- Amblyopia
- Convergence Insufficiency
- Rapid Myopic Progression
These referrals may be made on the basis of case history, asthenopia, or clinical findings. In many cases, referring doctors find it best to advise patients that they are being sent to our office for “additional testing,” since it may not be possible to determine in advance the specific diagnostic tests that will be needed.
To receive information on referral/co-management or to sign up for Dr. Colin Kageyama’s next class on Vision Therapy Co-Management, please contact our office at (408) 376-2700.