Summary

To give an overview of Neuro-Optometric Visual Rehabilitation and how it can be invaluable in the overall rehabilitation strategy for traumatic brain injury patients overall (especially concussion cases). An overview of how vision is affected in concussion will be provided and also a review of the current peer reviewed medical and optometric literature pertaining to eye teaming disorders post-injury will be reviewed. Often the patient can “still see 20/20” but significant eye teaming issues can be present, causing problems with reading, computer tolerance, dizziness, balance issues, light sensitivity and cognitive / memory issues overall.

Dr. Quaid will also show footage of real life patients and the effect that optometric vision therapy, when done right, can have on not only “proving injury” but also more importantly in significantly improving the quality of life of the patient post-injury. Dr. Quaid has published several papers in high-ranking medical and optometric journals in addition to having co-published an authoritative medical textbook chapter on vision and concussion along with the head of neuro-ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins (Dr. Eric Singman, MD PhD).

Dr. Quaid will provide the rationale for OVT in addition to how to request documentation pertaining to proving injury and how to ask for the right second opinions when getting to IME situations with insurers to assure comparable assessments are done. It is Dr. Quaid’s opinion that any brain injury patient (from mTBI / concussion to more significant brain injuries) deserves a FUNCTIONAL assessment of their vision rather than a low-bar assessment of simply “20/20 and you are fine”. Your clients deserve a thorough assessment of their visual system given that at least 40% of the brain is visual machinery (just put this in context, maybe 8% is for hearing). Dr. Quaid aims to put more tools in the toolbox of the injury lawyer when defending their brain-injured clients by insisting on a proper functional visual assessment.

Presenters

	Dr. Patrick Quaid Dr. Quaid is founder and CEO of the VUE3 Vision Therapy Network (www.vuetherapy.ca) with locations in Guelph and North York. He also serves at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry (UWSO) & Vision Science as an Adjunct Professor interacting...MoreDr. Quaid is founder and CEO of the VUE3 Vision Therapy Network (www.vuetherapy.ca) with locations in Guelph and North York. He also serves at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry (UWSO) & Vision Science as an Adjunct Professor interacting with final year interns and sitting on graduate student committees for UWSO. Dr. Quaid has numerous publications in both optometric and medical journals on topics ranging from the effects of eye teaming issues onreading efficiency to the incidence of eye teaming issues in athletes and the effect of concussions on the visual system. In 2019, Dr. Quaid co-authored a landmark book chapter in a medical textbook on visual dysfunction in concussion in conjunction with the Chief of Johns Hopkins Neuro-Ophthalmology (“Neurosensory disorders in mild traumatic brain injury”). In addition to his training to become an eye doctor in the UK, Dr. Quaid attained his PhD in 2005 (UWSO) and his USA Board Certification in Visual Rehabilitation (i.e. FCOVD, see www.covd.org) in 2011. He has delivered over 550 lectures worldwide to optometrists, physicians and allied healthcare professionals. Dr. Quaid lectures in particular about proper visual assessment “beyond 20/20” in both concussion cases and also in reading based learning difficulties. Dr. Quaid makes it a priority to publish data from his clinics to add to the evidence base for vision therapy and also has a book coming in the Spring / Summer 2019 (“Learning to See = Seeing to Learn”) for parents of children with visual issues interfering with reading skills in addition to having already published a chapter in the new book “A New Hope in Concussion” (Dr. Lawrence Komer MD). He makes a point of making his lectures very visual and uses real patient footage and demos to explain his interventions and research.   Collapse
	Michelle Jorge Michelle Jorge applies a hands-on approach to her practice that delivers results to her clients through dedicated representation and relentless pursuit of the full amount of compensation possible. She has represented injury victims and their families...MoreMichelle Jorge applies a hands-on approach to her practice that delivers results to her clients through dedicated representation and relentless pursuit of the full amount of compensation possible. She has represented injury victims and their families in many levels of court, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. She has acted as counsel at trial, and represented individuals before the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal, and the ODSP Tribunal. Michelle is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Currently, she is Director of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and serves as a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Portuguese-Canadian Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Michelle is a former State Delegate for the American Association for Justice on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, is on the Outreach Committee for the Portuguese Canadian Lawyers Association, and is also a member of the Women's Law Association of Ontario. Michelle is currently on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice. She is President of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business Professionals, and a past member of the Board of Directors for the National Case Management Network. Michelle has also served as a past chair of the New Lawyers Division for the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and has co-chaired and lectures at conferences held by many organizations. She has also written for the Litigator and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association.   Collapse
	Lauren Chen Lauren graduated from York University with an honours degree in History. She then went to the University of Western University Faculty of Law, where she graduated with a JD in 2013. Lauren has always had an interest in personal injury law, and...MoreLauren graduated from York University with an honours degree in History. She then went to the University of Western University Faculty of Law, where she graduated with a JD in 2013. Lauren has always had an interest in personal injury law, and articled for an insurance defence firm. After being called to the bar in 2014, Lauren made the switch to the Plaintiff side, where she practices today. Lauren has conducted mediations, examinations for discovery, pre-trials, and case conferences at both FSCO and the LAT. She has argued and won motions in the Superior Court of Justice, and was fortunate enough to work on materials for the Supreme Court of Canada. When she is not working, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and attending plays, operas, and the ballet. Lauren is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.   Collapse

Program Agenda