Most eye care professionals ignore the issues that are most important to Developmental Optometrists. It need not be this way. All optometry students are exposed to the concepts at the core of developmental vision care, but most choose to ignore this information once in practice. This means that they are ill-equipped to solve many people's problems, often because they miss the visual connection. It would not be difficult for all optometrists to think in developmental terms when confronted with problems that standard approaches are unable to solve. This was written as an appeal to optometrists to ask them to consider the importance of developmental thinking as well as the ease with which this could be incorporated into every practice.

Developmental vision care, provided by developmental optometrists, addresses the developmental and functional aspects of the visual process. Many people suffer from functional vision problems without realizing it. This article provides some basic information on the dynamic nature of the visual process and the basic skills that must be tested to really see how a person uses their vision. It also touches on the nature of visual difficulties and how to treat them.

This checklist helps people see the connections between the problems they are having and the visual process. People are often unaware of the role that the visual process plays in how they perform certain tasks. When these connections can be made, it is easier for people to understand the benefits of developmental vision care.

This is a brief description of the condition, how it arises, evolves and how it is usually treated. Alternative treatment methods are also introduced. For more in-depth reading visit the Articles section - particularly: 20/20? and Myopia Reduction. or order Dr. Gallop’s book “Looking Differently at Nearsightedness and Myopia.”

There are two main groups of "eye care" professionals - optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both include various subspecialty practitioners. Developmental Optometry is a subspecialty of optometry. There are many variations in the style of practice within developmental optometry as well. It pays to be well informed when attempting to select a professional practitioner.

The visual process can be protected by simple precautions such as proper lenses, posture, lighting, ergonomics and working distance. Some pointers are provided.

Visual Training is a program of active therapy along with the use of lenses as a dynamic therapeutic tool. This article provides a brief description of who may benefit from visual training and what is involved.

My new book, “Looking Differently at Nearsightedness and Myopia” Is aimed at providing people a broader view of all the issues involved in being nearsighted.  How and why does it start? What are the implications and side-affects of treating it?  Are there alternatives to glasses, contact lenses and surgery?

There are several organizations that can provide further information as well as help in finding behavioral optometrists in your area.