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Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation is an individualized treatment regimen for patients with Visual Deficits as a direct result of Physical Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and other Neurological Insults. Neuro-Optometric Therapy is a process for the Rehabilitate of Visual/Perceptual/Motor Disorders. It includes, but is not limited to, Acquired Strabismus, Diplopia, Binocular Dysfunction, Convergence and/or Accommodation, Paresis/Paralysis, Oculomotor Dysfunction, Visual-Spatial Dysfunction, Visual Perceptual and Cognitive Deficits, and Traumatic Visual Acuity Loss.

Patients of all ages who have experienced Neurological Insults require Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitate. Visual problems caused by Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebrovascular Accident, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, etc., may interfere with performance causing the person to be identified as Learning Disabled or as having Attention Deficit Disorder. These Visual Dysfunctions can manifest themselves as psychological sequella such as Anxiety and Panic Disorders as well as Spatial Dysfunctions affecting balance and posture.

A Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitate treatment plan improves specific Acquired Vision Dysfunctions determined by standardized diagnostic criteria. Treatment regimens encompass medically necessary noncompensatory lenses and prisms with and without occlusion and other appropriate medical rehabilitate strategies.

We Are

An eclectic of professionals focused to advance the art and science of rehabilitation/habilitation.

The neurologically/cognitively injured and disabled survivor population and their families.

Professionals recognizing the inherent dominance of vision over human performance, NORA emphasizes dissemination of existing technologies to optimize the frequently neglected visual-motor and visual-perceptual components of dysfunction in the neurologically affected person.

There exists, within the discipline of optometry, a ready-trained cadre of professionals uniquely skilled and experienced in the technologies of neuro-optometric rehabilition/habilition of the persons affected.

Integration of these unique neuro-optometric skills maximizes the potential of the rehabilitate team through a multidisciplinary approach.

Our Goal

To facilitate the utilization/integration of each discipline's unique skills into an effective rehabilitation management team.

To facilitate communication and understanding of paradigms of care as evolved within each discipline.

To facilitate third-party understanding of optimum, comprehensive integrated discipline team rehabilitation, government and private.

To facilitate public understanding.

To serve physically disabled persons and provide them with optimum visual rehabilitation.

To educate professionals including optometrists, educators, rehabilitate, and allied health professionals.

To facilitate research and development regarding vision rehabilitation.

To develop inter-professional networks that include neuro- optometric and vision rehabilitation approaches.

To develop a model or concept of neuro-optometry as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Visual-Perceptual, Visual-Motor and Cognitive Dysfunction

Visual-perceptual dysfunction is one of the most common, devastating residuals of neurological insult.

A small percent of the eye/vision care provider community, or head trauma and rehabilitation treatment centers are adequately respectful or sensitive to the visual-perceptual consequences of neurological insult, head and cervical trauma.

The consequences of this insensitivity are punishingly cruel, frequently resulting in denial of appropriate treatment and frustration of the affected person, family, and treating professionals. Visual-perception and visual-motor, not 20/20 acuity, is the "hinge-pin" of information processing and cognitive function.

The Problem

The National Center for Health Statistics enumerates the visually impaired population in the USA to exceed 10 million. Over 30 thousand cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occur annually. CVA claims 500,000 new victims each year.

Birth Related

Children born with physical disabilities experience a high incidence of visual dysfunction. Neonatology advancements have greatly increased the survival rate of premature birth. These children bear a higher-than-normal birthrate of physical disabilities, visual impairments and perceptual dysfunctions.

Aging

The Graying of America: Increased life expectancy produces an ever-increasing population labile to vascular accidents and the spectrum of age-related events resulting in visual and physical disabilities.

Integration of Disciplines and Skills

We recognize that each of the licensed health care disciplines possesses expertise essential to the optimum habilatation of these special-need populations.

Professionals Involved with NORA