Optometric Extension Program
Encyclopedia
The Optometric Extension Program (OEP) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the discipline of optometry through the gathering and dissemination of information on vision
. The mission of OEP is to advance human progress through research and education on vision, the visual process, and clinical care. The OEP has been credited as furthering the post-graduate education of optometrists, with recent emphasis on behavioral optometry
and vision therapy
. The OEP produces the monthly Journal of Behavioral Optometry
as well as many monographs on vision therapy. OEP reprints writings and lectures relating to vision.
The OEP has its origins in a continuing education
program developed by the Oklahoma Optometric Association for its members in the 1920s. Optometrists E.B. Alexander (the secretary of the Oklahoma Extension Program) and A.M. Skeffington
("the father of behavioral optometry") have been credited as establishing the OEP in 1928.
The OEP began with 51 members and has developed into an international organization with 3,500 members worldwide.
Visual perception
Visual perception is the ability to interpret information and surroundings from the effects of visible light reaching the eye. The resulting perception is also known as eyesight, sight, or vision...
. The mission of OEP is to advance human progress through research and education on vision, the visual process, and clinical care. The OEP has been credited as furthering the post-graduate education of optometrists, with recent emphasis on behavioral optometry
Behavioral optometry
Behavioral optometry is an expanded area of optometric practice that claims to use a "holistic" approach to the treatment of vision and vision information processing problems. The practice of behavioral optometry incorporates various vision therapy methods and has been characterized as a...
and vision therapy
Vision therapy
Vision therapy, also known as visual training, vision training, or visual therapy, is a broad group of techniques aimed at correcting and improving binocular, oculomotor, visual processing, and perceptual disorders."-Historical development:...
. The OEP produces the monthly Journal of Behavioral Optometry
Journal of Behavioral Optometry
The Journal of Behavioral Optometry is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Optometric Extension Program Foundation. It covers clinically relevant behavioral, functional, and developmental aspects of the visual system...
as well as many monographs on vision therapy. OEP reprints writings and lectures relating to vision.
The OEP has its origins in a continuing education
Continuing medical education
Continuing medical education refers to a specific form of continuing education that helps those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of their field. These activities may take place as live events, written publications, online programs, audio, video, or...
program developed by the Oklahoma Optometric Association for its members in the 1920s. Optometrists E.B. Alexander (the secretary of the Oklahoma Extension Program) and A.M. Skeffington
A.M. Skeffington
Arthur Marten Skeffington was an American optometrist known to some as "the father of behavioral optometry". Skeffington has been credited as co-founding the Optometric Extension Program with E.B. Alexander in 1928...
("the father of behavioral optometry") have been credited as establishing the OEP in 1928.
The OEP began with 51 members and has developed into an international organization with 3,500 members worldwide.