Erik Lachendro, OD Class of 2026: A Vision Therapy Story

My experience with vision therapy has been an excellent experience both as a patient and as a future OD. I worked in a private optometry practice before attending the Western OD program. However, the annual evaluation did not include testing for focusing and binocularity. After starting the OD program here, I was found to have convergence insufficiency during my mandatory eye exam for first year students; something I had no idea I had. As a recommendation from my primary care optometrist at Pomona’s Eye Care Institute, I began vision therapy.

Over the course of 12 weeks, I’ve noticed a huge change in accommodation and convergence. This is especially true when reading things up close or doing long work or studying. I’m more aware of these things as they happen in real time, and it honestly feels like I have superpowers!

I’m now able to see more clearly and do the things I want to do for longer, such as doing retinoscopy and lensometry. I couldn’t do that before because my eyes and accommodation got tired too quickly. Outside of school, I notice changes I didn’t notice before or never attributed to my vision before.

Overall, it’s been a wonderful experience working with Drs. Remick-Waltman, Michel and all the other 3rd and 4th year students that I’ve worked with to make it this far. This vision therapy experience will help me become a better OD in the future. I will know that I’ll understand my patients needs and how to help them be where they need to be. This experience will also enable me to have better vision and quality of life!

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