Traditionally, the main entry point to the medical model is the general practitioner, or internist. Optometrists are the entry point into eyecare. When a person has an injury, or they have a condition that requires the attention of a specialist, that's when optometrists start to enlist the help of other specialists who are trained in a specific area. Optometrists like to coordinate their treatments with the whole care team since everything involves vision.
Optometrists don't practice occupational therapy, but they do know what occupational therapists do. The same applies to physical therapists.
Everything involves vision, so ensuring our patients success across all modes of therapy requires that the care providers are aware of the visual aspects of the patients function.
Occupational therapists focus on teaching patients a variety of life skills that will help them become independent. We work very closely with many occupational therapists for patients that have low vision and traumatic brain injuries such as strokes and concussions. Optometrists have a natural partnership with occupational therapists since they understand many aspects of daily life. By analyzing and guiding the visual process, optometrists allow patients to take full advantage of the therapies they receive.
For physical therapists, vision is a critical piece of the puzzle or part of the link when it comes to balance and movement. A lot of vestibular issues are interconnected with vision, and neuro-optometrists often provide advice to the patients physical therapists, which really can have a dramatic improvement to help the patients improve. Because physical therapists specialize in the vestibular system while optometrists specialize in vision, it is important that they work together to improve the patient's vision.
The rehabilitation setting is not a singular entity, but actually a team of rehabilitation personnel. Their goal is to help the patient achieve their goals. We are very blessed to work with many of the leading rehabilitation hospitals in both an in and outpatient setting. These include being the charter program director for the neuro optometry clinic at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation (Pomona). Providing clinical staff services at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Downey); NeuroRestorative rehabilitation centers (Artesia, Garden Grove, La Habra, San Dimas).
If you are a part of the rehabilitation care team we welcome you to contact our practice in Bellflower, CA to learn more about how we partner with you in patient care.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, one of the most common questions Dr. Eric T. Ikeda often encounters is: "Are carrots good for your eyes?" To put it simply, yes, carrots are indeed beneficial for your eyes. Carrots are known to improve eyesight, and this is largely due to […]
Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the difference! The term foggy vision often refers to a visual disturbance characterized by blurred, cloudy, or hazy vision, which can make seeing clearly challenging. As your local optometrist, we recognize the significance of maintaining optimal […]
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Monday & Wednesday
9:00AM–6:00PM
Tuesday & Thursday
8:00AM–5:00PM
Saturday
By appointment only
Friday & Sunday
Closed
