Behavioral optometry (also known as "functional optometry") is an expanded area of optometric practice that uses a holistic approach in the treatment of vision and vision information processing problems. The practice of behavioral optometry incorporates various vision therapy methods and has been characterized as a complementary alternative medicine practice.
Behavioral optometry has its origins in orthoptics. A.M. Skeffington was an
American optometrist known to some as
"the father of behavioral optometry". Skeffington has been credited as
co-founding the Optometric Extension
Program with E.B. Alexander in 1928.
There is presently no association here in Ireland, however
there is a UK association called BABO which can be found at www.babo.co.uk which
has Irish members.