History

Jewel Young (legend) begins working in the offices shared by Dr. D. T. McGregor, Osteopath; Dr. E. B. Alexander, Optometrist, and Dr. B. F. Bryant, Dentist. Jewel Young has served OEP in Duncan for more than 54 years.

In the middle of 1920’s, the so called “Eighteen Point” optometric examination was developer by “Skeffington and Associates”, Later (about 1930) the “blur points” were added by Associates Louis Jaques and George Crow, and the OEP routine became known as the “21 Point Examination.” Syndromes for analyzing the “case”.

In 1933, Saul Lesser, who was the primary author of the “Little Black Book” at least until the mid 1970s, published a second edition of Fundamentals in Procedure and Analysis in Optometric Examination.  The #19, #20. & #21 were not yet part of the analysis.  Similarly, in 1932, in the Proceedings of the New York Optometric Society do not consider those findings either.

Optometric Extension Program releases “Optometric Extension Program – Aims and Objectives”

1) To bring about a better understanding and create harmony among those engaged in the optical industry.

2) To bring to the attention of optometrists, the importance of their profession, and thereby to encourage them to use greater care in their refraction work, and in the prescribing of lenses and material.

3) To educate the public to place greater confidence in those engaged in the optometric profession.

4) To educate the public of the importance of the care of the eyes.

5) To bring to optometrists the latest techniques, and methods of modern refraction.

6) To make optometry a successful profession.

In 1933, the number of Study Groups increased to 792

At the 1933 Convention in Chicago, the repute of E. B. Alexander, and the general acceptance by the membership at large of the OEP, resulted in the recommendation that the OEP be adopted by the various States.

After the publication, by the Optometric Extension Program. of the famous series of papers by Crow and H. L. Fuog in 1937, Skeffington coined the new term, “The Training of Visual Skills”, or “Visual Training”, to differentiate it from the old “concept” of “orthoptics”

During 1930s and 1940s, Skeffington became imbued with the idea of how vision is developed, and how it could be developed more effectively. The research was instigated at the Gessell Institute, at Yale, and in 1949, the book, “Vision – Its Developmental in Infant and Child”, was published. “Developmental Vision” and “Preventive Optometry” were added to the ever-expanding “concepts” and practices of optometry.

1955 The first Kraskin Invitational Annual Skeffington Symposium or KISS took place. Three generations of Karskin OD’s: Lewis, Robert and Jeff Kraskin

Wayne Knight, Homer Hendrickson and Bon Henry were summoned together with Dr. G. N. Getman, A. M. Skeffington, and E. B. Alexander, to discuss the feasibility of establishing a functional section on the optometric care of children; better known presently as the Child Care Section.

Keith Woodland introduces concepts from OEPF to Australia.

Long recognizing the need to produce an introductory educational series on behavioral vision care, the board of directors established Curriculum I

Linda Grussemeyer becomes OEPF’s first full time Executive Director

Improvements have been implemented in virtually all educational and communications arenas. Major changes have occurred in the Assistants Program, Student Services and OEP curriculum for optometrists. Numerous communication tools been added to the OEPF portfolio.

1986 was the first Joint University Conference on Clinical and Theoretical Optometry.  This annual meeting, which went on for more than 20 years, was cosponsored with Pacific University and was designed to meet two primary objectives.  One was to improve the connection between optometric educators and practicing clinicians.  The second was to encourage and develop a cadre of new leaders among the profession.

This meeting proved very fruitful as at one point every member of the OEPF board was an alumnus of the meeting.  Meetings between Paul Harris, Bob Hohendorf, and Robin Lewis, which began at early JUCTCO’s led to the formation of what became the Clinical Curriculum and, later, to the restoration of the RCS program.   NOTE: A common joke was that JUCTCO stood for Jimmy C Tumblin & Company as the conference was originally based on one of his ideas.

To further support the educational and research program of OEPF, the board of directors established the A. M. Skeffington Memorial Library and Archives of Behavioral Optometry.

With the purchase of computer desktop publishing and typesetting hardware and software, the modernization of OEPF’s publication process became complete.

Saw the implementation of a four-level educational program featuring a basic introductory curriculum, series for both beginning and advanced vision therapists and a separate course for vision care assistants.

BABO (Baltimore Academy for Behavioral Optometry) is formed and gives first class in April. BABO will become the OEPF Clinical Curriculum.  The board for BABO included Rob Lewis and Paul Harris, who later became presidents of OEPF along with Bob Hohendorf, who served many years as director of education.

BABO and OEPF merge and the BABO courses become the OEPF Clinical Curriculum

First Annual Skeffington Legacy Award was awarded in 2019, first recipients were Dr. Paul Harris and Dr. Rob Lewis.

1. • Recognizes optometrists who have demonstrated outstanding service to the OEPF and the broader optometric community.
   • Includes advancements in understanding, education, and application of vision therapy and behavioral optometry.

Recognition of Service:

1. • Recipients are honored for their dedication and commitment to the principles and practices established by Dr. A.M. Skeffington, a pioneer in behavioral optometry.

Professional Involvement:

• • Nominees typically have a history of involvement with the OEPF, including participation in educational programs, publications, and research that promote the field.

With the COVID lockdown and quarantines, OEPF moved its course online, a new era of digital education!

Roll out of our new interactive website!

Official start of Certification for COEP and COEP-T