https://youtu.be/zL8KQwedegw

Dr. Eric Ikeda graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1986, now known as Marshall Ketchum University. He became interested in vision therapy following his graduation from Southern California College of Optometry. As he began his career, he seeked for practices that focused on vision therapy. There weren't a lot of such practices. He found one in Bellflower and his two partners; one was the past president of OEP and the other was also interested in vision therapy. When he joined the practice, they helped guide him into the different organizations to become a part of and to learn to attend the continuing education courses. Therefore, he became a member of OEPF, COVD and later, NORA.

Optometric extension program foundation (OEPF)

The Optometric Extension Program Foundation is an international non-profit dedicated to the advancement of the discipline of optometry through the gathering and dissemination of information on vision and the visual process. They produce wonderful educational programs and publications on an extensive basis for the development of the profession. Dr. Ikeda had the privilege of recently completing a term as the president of the OEPF.

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is a non-profit organization that consists of eye care professionals, including optometrists, optometry students, and vision therapists. Founded in 1970, the College of Optometrists In Vision Development (COVD) offers board certification for optometrists and vision therapists to provide state-of-the-art services in: Behavioral and developmental vision care, Vision therapy, and Neuro-optometric rehabilitation.

Dr. Ikeda joined the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and had the privilege of becoming a fellow (FCOVD). This is a great organization because it helped him learn some of the things he was not aware of in the areas of functional and behavioral optometry . It helped him learn things that made him a better practitioner. He valued the program and it supported him very strongly. He loves attending conferences and meeting his colleagues from around the world.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)

The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association is an international group of professionals dedicated to providing patients with disabilities as a result of an acquired brain injury with a complete ocular health assessment and providing them with optimum visual rehabilitation to -+improve their quality of life. NORA's mission is to advance the art and science of rehabilitation, with a focus on optimizing the function of visual-motor, visual-perceptual, and visual information processing in neurologically affected individuals.

When Dr. Ikeda began his career there was not a lot of time spent at Optometry school on working with patients who had an acquired brain injury. Even though he was at a vision therapy practice his primary experience was working with children who had developmental delays impacting their learning.  He was introduced to Dr. Vincent R. Vicci, the president of NORA at that time. Dr. Vicci assisted him with a brain injury case. Dr. Vicci encouraged him to become a member of NORA and attend classes. Then he volunteered to become a part of the organization, eventually leading the organization as a president, and being awarded the founding fathers medal from NORA. Dr. Ikeda is honored to be part of such a dedicated group of professionals and has enjoyed learning and teaching about neuro-optometric rehabilitation.

American Optometric Association (AOA)

The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, is the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation's health, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals and optometry students.
Throughout his career Dr. Ikeda has supported all the organizations he has been associated with, including the American Optometric Association, of which he has been a member since he was a student. Dr. Ikeda has the privilege of being appointed to the American Optometric Association Vision Rehabilitation Committee and to the Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force

Dr. Ikeda’s clinical experience includes:

• Neuro-Optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Of Greater Long Beach
• Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
• Clinical Associate Professor of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
• Charter Program Director for the Neuro Optometry Clinic at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation (Pomona)
• Provides clinical staff services at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Downey); NeuroRestorative rehabilitation centers (Artesia, Garden Grove, La Habra, San Dimas)
• Recognized as “Physician of the Year” by the Rehabilitation Nurses Society
• Recipient of “Founding Fathers Medal” for his continued service to NORA
• Inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner into the National Academies of Practice (Optometry Academy)
• Recipient of the Founder’s Award by Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry