Endorsed by COVD
The VT 101 and VT 201 are the only courses of their kind to be endorsed by the COVD Board.
VT 101 Course
Our VT 101 course is designed to provide foundational concepts for new vision therapists and works a nice review for optometrists seeking to get into vision therapy.
While we do recommend this to be the first course taken by new vision therapists, doctors may find it better to start with the 201 course and then to review the concepts in the 101 course.
The VT 101 Course provides 7 hours of COPE approved CE. Combined with the 12.5 hours of the 201 course, together they provide 19.5 hours of COPE approved CE.
The following are learning objectives for this Unit of the VT 201 Course:
That the participants in the course:
- Have a foundational knowledge of vision development
- Understand the different models of vision that are used in the approach to vision therapy
- Have a foundational knowledge of the oculomotor, accommodative, and binocular systems and how vision therapy treats these systems
- Receive a foundational knowledge in strabismus and amblyopia diagnosis and past and current treatment models.
- Obtain a foundational knowledge of visual perceptual skills needed for good academic performance
- To learn several vision therapy activities to be used with patients
- Receive an introduction into programming vision therapy sessions
- In addition to treating youth and young adults in vision therapy, how to adapt therapy for young children, older adults, and patients with traumatic brain injury
Optometrists will have 3 months to complete the VT 101 course from the time of purchase on this site. Licenses can also be purchased by emailing [email protected]. Licenses may be purchased now and activated at a later date.
The VT 101 can be bundled with the VT 201 course for $2,500 and a savings of $595.
Each optometrist will need their own course to receive COPE credit. Group rates for the entire staff can be found at www.emergentvt.com/training
Vision Therapists taking the course need to be employed by a doctor of optometry or under their guidance.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with any additional questions.
Course Curriculum
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Course Instructors
Benjamin C. Winters, OD, FCOVD
Dr. Winters is board-certified in vision development and vision therapy. He started Washington Vision Therapy Center in Yakima, Washington which grew to having over 150 concurrent patients in vision therapy. This growth continued as he helped start 2 more vision therapy clinics in Washington State. His advocacy for children that struggle with life-altering developmental vision problems has included over 100 lectures in colleges, professional groups, parent groups, and schools. He is one of the founders of Building Vision, a non-profit that raises awareness and funds for individuals struggling with these vision problems and which has given free screenings to almost 1000 children in the Yakima area.
James Smith, COVT
James Smith, COVT has been a vision therapist for many years and became certified through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in 2015. His doctors have often commented on his instinctiveness in patient care and how he is able to connect with patients. Through Emergent, James has worked with over 150 vision therapists through the Emergent Online Vision Therapy Courses. He is currently a mentor and chair of the COVT program through COVD. His experience and knowledge in vision therapy have led doctors to asking him to come to their clinic and help train their vision therapists. James is a natural teacher and loves helping vision therapists meet their potential.
