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EnglishWhat Is the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and Where Can You Find It?
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The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is the former name of the Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA). If you are looking for COVD today, the organization's official home is ovdra.org. OVDRA is a professional association focused on developmental, behavioral, and rehabilitative optometry and vision therapy—it is not a school, college, or degree program.
What the Organization Is Now
COVD rebranded as OVDRA to better reflect its scope: vision development and rehabilitation across the lifespan, not only childhood development. The association brings together optometrists who practice in these areas and serves as a resource hub for patients and families seeking vision therapy information.
What OVDRA Focuses On
- Developmental optometry — how visual skills develop and how disruptions affect learning and daily function
- Behavioral optometry — the relationship between vision, perception, and behavior
- Rehabilitative optometry — vision care after injury, illness, or neurological events
- Vision therapy — structured, often office-based programs to improve visual skills
Who It Serves
| Audience | What the Organization Offers |
|---|---|
| Optometrists | Professional membership, continuing education, practice resources, and a community of peers in developmental and rehabilitative care |
| Patients and families | Information about vision therapy and a way to locate a qualified provider |
| Referral sources (educators, therapists, physicians) | A starting point for finding optometrists who specialize in vision development and rehabilitation |
Where to Find It
The official site is ovdra.org. Use it to:
- Learn about the organization — its mission, history, and current name.
- Explore membership — for optometrists interested in joining.
- Find a provider — for patients or referral sources looking for a developmental or rehabilitative optometrist.
- Access resources — vision therapy information and professional materials.
Don't Confuse It With an Optometry College
A common point of confusion: "College of Optometrists" sounds like a degree-granting institution. It is not. COVD/OVDRA is a professional association, distinct from optometry schools that award OD degrees. If you are searching for a program to become an optometrist, you need an accredited optometry school, not this organization. If you are searching for the professional body tied to vision therapy and developmental optometry, you are in the right place—just use the current name, OVDRA, and the site ovdra.org.