Intellex Acquires Expert by Big Village

We're thrilled to announce that Intellex has acquired Expert by Big Village, effective March 22, 2024. This strategic move enhances our capabilities and strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional solutions to our customers.

Stay tuned for more updates on how this acquisition will benefit our clients and experts.

For inquiries or more information, please contact us at info@intellex.com.

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Expert Details

Eye Care: Holistic, Conventional & Complimentary, Vision Loss Prevention, Natural Vision Improvement

ID: 723729 Oregon, USA

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As a primary care provider for 34 years, he has measured and corrected for the three different types (horizontal, vertical and oblique) of astigmatism on a daily basis. But more than that, he has been able to effectively determine the source cause of most astigmatism and advise treatment based on etiology. Some astigmatism is truly genetic (inherited and structural) and much of astigmatism is acquired (use related and functional). It is the acquired variety that can be addressed at its source, typically stabilized and some times reversed if caught early. The practical application of visual ergonomics and proper use of eye relaxation techniques are two of the keys to acquired astigmatism stabilization and treatment.

Bifocal lenses are used in primary eye care on a daily basis. The applications are not only for those with presbyopia, but for numerous pre-presbyopic accommodative-convergence diffuculties. It is also valid, when indicated, that bifocal spectacle and contact lenses be used for pre-presbyopic individuals to stabilize and occassionally reverse incipient myopia when caught at the appropriate time. He has shown how bifocal lenses, when prescribed creatively, can also be very effective for alleviating computer fatigue syndrome and thus act as a preventative device.

One of the major roles he has served as an optometric physician has been his ability to assess and assist the binocular visual process of every individual he has examined. A typical visual analysis takes into acccount more than visual acuity as the muscle balance and sensory/motor integration of the entire person has to be addressed. With children and even with many adults, binocular visual integrity can impact even the perceptual, learning and mental processes. Thus, the entire person is looked at in relationship to ocular, binocular and integrative functions.

A keen understanding of the anatomy, physiology, functionality and health of the human eye has taken much of his energy as an eye care provider since 1972. He has often quipped, "The eye is connected to every part of us". Thus, such factors as lighting, color, nutrition, systemic health, bio-genetics, posture, attitude, emotional well being, mental procesing ability can have an integral part in shaping the development of the eye over time. To be able to best serve those seeking his services, an in-depth awareness of all these associated areas had to have been developed.

Eye function and overall human function is intimately connected. Visual health and well being allow many to prosper in their work, hobbies and life's demands in general. Our society continually presents increasing visual challenges and expects the individual to persevere and prosper. Whether it be driving an automobile, flying an airplane, sitting at a video display terminal or being proficient at a "game boy", efficient eye function is critical to keep up with the demands and expectations of school, career or hobbies. As an eye care provider, he has shown how individual eye optimal function sets the stage for binocular function which sets the stage for total performance efficiency.

Of all the refractive conditions presented in a primary eye care clinical setting, myopia (the presence of better near point [within 8 feet] visual acuity than far point [beyond 8 feet] visual acuity) is probably the most common. The debate has been on for over a hundred years as to the etiology of myopia. The "genetic" school has argued with the "acquired" school through most of this time but in fact, the lines of causality are now being drawn more clearly that the cause can be typically a contribution of both factors. Much of his expertise is to more clearly define for any one unique individual using both the case history and our testing, the most probable etiology and thus the most appropriate treatment. If and when the cause is seen as acquired, both a preventative and non-surgical remedial treatment plan can be suggested.

Understanding the intricate mechanism of ocular accommodation requires years of study and an awareness that no two individuals are alike. Farsighted (hyperopic) people accommodate differently than nearsighted (myopic) individuals as a rule. Those with overconvergence (esophoria) focus differently than those with underconvergence (exophoria). There are many other factors that control and govern accommodation that has taken years and repeated evaluations of the same individuals to better understand this complex process. How this mechanism interrelates to different types of astigmatism, acquired myopia, binocular vision difficulties, various emotional states, certain cognitive tendencies etc is an entire study in itself. His second patent was designed around making objective evaluations of the accommodative process while a person is viewing a simulated computer environment (the Ergo Lens system).

Serving the public as an optometric physician since 1973 has been the most outstanding growth promoting experience he could have imagined. While he personally believed the study of optometry was vast in the way it approached its model of binocual function and explained some of the causal etiology in acquired visual difficulties, the understanding of human potential gleaned from this synthetic field has grown and continues to grow. His next project is to expand the model of vision to include not only the refractive, binocular, ocular health and functional models of operation, but to show how the workings of the mind's eye and the most subtle types of vision possible are all linked into one complete, holistic process.

Presbyopia is the classical term describing the loss of accommodative power experienced by most individuals as they approach the middle to end of their 40's. His research has shown that there are dozens of factors that slow down and other factors that speed up this "natural" process. Such things as nutrition, emotional state, exposure to harsh and toxic environments, cognitive style, attitude, and level of relaxation can play a major role in interacting with the course of this condition. Certain types of vision exercises are worthless and other types can be extremely advantageous if and when applied at the ideal times. Numerous sophisticated contact lens designs can be used for some and prove totally ineffectual for others in the attempt to alleviate presbyopia. He has enjoyed significant success at narrowing down the optimal approaches for the appropriate candidates.

Primary eye care still centers around the complex process of refraction. Refraction can be defined as the subjective and objective measure of how light is bent (refracted) into the human eye and the determination of a lens that both optimizes clarity and comfort of focus. The factors affecting refraction in any one individual can be few or can be in the dozens. Understanding how general health, tear chemistry, emotional state, nutritional status, level of physical and/or mental stress are critical to knowing how to best judge the appropriateness of the optical measuremnets made. He has discovered that refraction is typically more than a simple optical mechanical measuring process. It is a psychophysical measure of the state of the individual since so many variables impact the physical and non-physical process of vision.

The word vision is very difficult to define. The latest neurophysiological research demonstrates that while vision begins in the eye, it is impacted from potentially every aspect of an individuals unique neurological make-up. One definition could be that it is the phenomenon of accessing and integrating seeing with being. Every sensory mechanism, every motor function mapped in the brain has a connection to the visual cortex and its associated centers.Thus, anything is possible and certainly as a clinical optometric physician for over 34 years, he has experienced every change, transformation, degredation and enhancement to the human vision process possible.

A visual defect can be defined as an interruption to the natural process of clarity and/or comfort in seeing. They can range from refractive (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia etc) to systemic (impacted by blood presure, blood sugar, blood flow, neurological defects, etc) to nutritional (inadequate zinc, lutein, vitamin E etc) to psychological (depression, anxiety, mood disordered etc). The fact that any one major, generalized, systemic area can impact any aspect of the sensory or motor process of vision makes studying visual defects a study of the entire individual. After decades of experience, he has shown that correcting visual defects has to address the cause and often the underlying cause is multifactorial and stratified throughout the individual.

Visual acuity is classically the discovery of an individuals ability to discern fine visual detail. Typically measured by the Snellen chart on letters, numbers of figures moved to the threshold of visibility. Thus 20/20 is a statistical measure of the ability to see a roughly 9.0 mm letter at 20 feet (approx 6 meters(the typical eye). The above normative eye can discern that 9.0 mm letter further than 20 feet. The below normative eye has to be closer than 20 feet to make the 9.0 mm letter determination. As an optometric physician, he has witnessed hundreds of individuals improve their ability to improve their visual acuity over time. For some, it is with the use of properly prescribed lenses, for others, it is linked to optimally enhancing their nutritional status, for others, it has a lot to do with learning an ocular and/or general relaxation response. There are many obstacles and pitfalls that undermine and deteriorate visual acuity that he has discerned from thousands of people who have made less than appropriate choices for themselves.

The major thrust of his clinical practice has centered around the concept of vision loss prevention. This term entails taking many diagnoses and applying the proper attention with the most appropriate techniques at the ideal time to prevent many types of vision loss. Some of the programs are directed at ocular health issues. He has developed and implemented programs for certain types of cataract, certain types of macular degeneration, some specific types of glaucoma and different types of dry eye. Other programs focus on refractive and/or functional visual difficulties. Many cases of acquired myopia, acquired astigmatism, focusing insufficiency, and lateral muscle imabalance difficulties can be early diagnosed and treated holistically with encouraging results. The prognosis clearly depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis and direction from a supportive licensed practitioner.

The last 12 years of his career providing one-on-one holistic eye care has been spent refining the broad idea of visual wellness. Visual wellness can be thought of as learning what has worked well with an individuals vision, and supporting those choices with a wide range of interventions (biofeedback, nutrition, visual ergonomics, lifesytle enhancements, general physical and mental health improvements et. al.). Whether it be to slow down or begin to reverse one's acquired myopia or comanage an incipient case of glaucoma with a wide range of alternative and complementary techniques, visual wellness is as much an attitude as it can be a set of measured improvements. It questions whether changes in the eye are genetically, and/or biologically predestined or whether under the ideal environment (physical and non physical) vision can improve.

Developed a new generation of ergonomically designed, computer workstation furniture to relieve visual stress (American Ergo Systems, 1982-5) Early testing of numerous contact lens designs intended to rehabilitate distressed corneas (1974-99)Consulted with the National College of Naturopathic Medicine on integrating conventional with holistic eye care into the clinical setting (1984-98)

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 1973 Degree: O.D. Subject: Optometry Institution: Pacific University College of Optometry

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1989 to Present Employer: Undisclosed Title: Former founder and CEO, now semi-retired Department: Private Practice
Responsibilities:
Primary eye care, treatment of functional visual disorders with admixture of medical, conventional optometric and holistic approaches.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1976 to 1988 Employer: Self Title: Owner Department: Private Practice
Responsibilities:
Practiced in North Tillamook County, Oregon as an independent eye care provider as well as consulted with two other practices in the Portland, OR area
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1976 to 1982 Employer: Pacific University College of Optometry Title: Clinic adviser Department: Optometric Clinical Care
Responsibilities:
Available upon request.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1973 to 1976 Employer: United States Air Force Title: Clinical Optometrist Department: Eye Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Southeast Regional Hospital, Maxwell AFB
Responsibilities:
Available upon request.

Government Experience

Years Agency Role Description
Years: 1973 to 1976 Agency: United States Air Force Role: Clinical optometrist Description: Along with providing basic eye care services to enlisted military personnel and their families, he worked with a multi-disciplinary team of health profesionals addressing the unique health and vision care needs of American POW's released from Vietnam

Career Accomplishments

Associations / Societies
Former long term member of the American Optometric Association, College of Vision Development
Licenses / Certifications
O.D.
Professional Appointments
CEO and President of Northwest Optometric Clinic from 2000-06
Awards / Recognition
Recognition award from the Chief of Medicine USAF Hospital at Maxwell AFB for special services rendered to the POWs of Vietnam (1975), Presidents award from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine for support of holistic care in the greater Portland area
Medical / Professional
EENT Clinic, USAF Regional Hospital, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery Alabama
Publications and Patents Summary
He developed two patents, has written a manual on methods of vision enhancement, published two articles on new approaches to vision improvement, and is preparing a three series multimedia presentation on perfecting the yoga of seeing.

Additional Experience

Training / Seminars
Taught a Masters Level Course through Oregon State University in 1978-80 on the relationship of vision and the learning process. 2. Created the first ergonomics consulting team in the Northwest US that aimed at vision loss prevention in the computer workplace (1982-85) 3.Taught a class at Portland State University in 1986 on visual ergonomics and effective strategies to reduce visual stress at the computer workstation. 4. Created a unique visual wellness seminar addressing causes, prevention and holistic cures for many visual conditions (1996-9)
Marketing Experience
Acquired two patents (now in the public domain) on 1. a product (The Ergo Desk) creating less visual stress in hard copy reading-study environments and 2. a testing and prescribing system to assist eye doctors in supplying more effective lens Rx's for computer screen operation (Ergo Lens system).

Language Skills

Language Proficiency
English After writing and speaking in numerous capacities, he now is exploring the creation of both DVD's and CD's in a multimedia presentation format.

Fields of Expertise

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