College of Optometrists in Vision Development

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an international, non-profit optometric membership organization that provides education, evaluation and board certification programs in behavioral and developmental vision care, vision therapy and visual rehabilitation. The organization is comprised of doctors of optometry, vision therapists and other vision specialists.

COVD Mission & Vision Statements
The mission of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development is to serve as an advocate for comprehensive vision care emphasizing a developmental and behavioral approach. COVD certifies professional competency in vision therapy, serves as an informational and educational resource, and advances research and clinical care in vision development and therapy.

COVD's vision and goal is to facilitate ongoing development in the areas of behavioral and developmental vision care, advocate for wider adoption of vision therapy protocols, and increase recognition of their integral role in enhancing learning, productivity and overall quality of life.

COVD Backgrond
Established in 1971, COVD provides board certification for eye doctors and vision therapists who are prepared to offer state-of-the-art services in: behavioral and developmental vision care; vision therapy; and, visual rehabilitation. These specialized vision care services develop and enhance visual abilities and correct many vision problems in infants, children, and adults. The COVD International Examination and Certification Board process includes a rigorous evaluation of the eye care professional's knowledge and abilities in providing developmental and behavioral vision care for patients. Optometrists who successfully complete their certification process are Board Certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy and are designated Fellows of COVD (FCOVD). Vision therapists are certified to work with COVD Fellows as Certified Optometric Vision Therapists (COVT). Vision care provided by all COVD members is based on the principle that vision can be developed and changed. For example, we know that infants are not born with fully developed visual abilities and that good vision is developed through a learned process.