Optometric Extension Program

The Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the discipline of optometry, with recent emphasis on behavioral optometry and vision therapy.[1]

The story of OEPF started over 130 years ago, when Dr. A.M. Skeffington, the father of behavioral optometry, was born in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dr. Skeffington taught us many things...:

  • Vision is a learned skill that emerges.
  • Ocular discomfort occurs when visual achievement gets to the point of being unsatisfactory or becomes unacceptable to the person.
  • Through proper training, people can see more efficiently.

OEPF was founded in 1928 by A.M. Skeffington and E.B. Alexander.

E.B. Alexander, was executive director of the Optometric Extension Program: The organizational force behind the Foundation and a visionary optometric pioneer.

The OEP Foundation has its origins in a continuing education post graduate program developed by the Oklahoma Optometric Association for its members in the 1920s.[1] 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 Foundation in 1928.[2][3][4] The OEP Foundation began with 51 members and has developed into an international organization with 12,000+ participants.[2][3] It offers a certification program for optometrists and therapists. [1]

The story of OEPF is, however, not a story of either of the two men.

OEPF is the only optometric foundation that publishes specialized books and journals for the profession. Four times per year, the Foundation publishes Optometry & Visual Performance (OVP). OVP is a free, international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the advancement of the role of optometry in enhancing and rehabilitating visual performance.

OEPF has always been built upon clinicians sharing with clinicians, veteran practitioners guiding those new to the profession or new to behavioral vision care. Therefore, research is very important.

  1. ^ a b David A. Goss. "History of Optometry." Web posted lecture handout. Accessed November 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ohs/sample.htm Archived 2006-09-18 at the Wayback Machine Hindsight: Newsletter of the Optometric Historical Society. Vol. 29, Jul. 1998, No. 3. Accessed September 19, 2006.
  3. ^ a b "A.M. Skeffington, O.D.: The Father of Behavioral Optometry." Archived 2006-10-17 at the Wayback Machine Visionaries (Reprinted from January–December 1991 Issues of Review of Optometry) Copyright 1999 Review of Optometry. Accessed September 19, 2006.
  4. ^ "Team of the Century. Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians. Accessed September 19, 2006. [Note: This reference credits E.B. Alexander and Billy Farmer as co-founders of the optometric extension program.]