Texas’ New Vision for Eye Therapy, Screen Providers in Schools and Unparalleled Care
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r. Briana Larson is the sole practicing optometrist in Texas holding a distinctive set of credentials. During her junior year at the University of California at Santa Barbara, she began her journey in optometry, eventually earning her doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2007. Dr. Larson currently serves as an adjunct clinical faculty member at the Rosenberg School of Optometry – University of the Incarnate Word.
ical abilities and scientific knowledge in the field of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, designating her as a Fellow (FNORA) in 2014. She stands among a select group of twenty-one (25) FNORA professionals in the United States, making her the lone FNORA-certified practicing optometrist in Texas.
Dr. Larson’s achievements were recognized by the Texas Optometric Association (TOA), which honored her with the Mollie Armstrong Leadership Award in 2013 With a specialization in developmental optometry, Dr. for her significant public service and exemplary conLarson completed a clinical residency in Vision Thera- tributions to the visual welfare of Texans. Despite repy Rehabilitation and Pediatric Optometry in 2008, an ceiving the award after just four years of practice, her achievement accomplished by less than 1% of optometrists impact on the field of optometry and dedication to her nationwide. This intensive one-year program demanded a community continue to inspire. minimum of 50 hours a week dedicated to comprehensive training, including pediatric eye care and neuro-optomet- Dr. Larson’s exceptional journey in optometry reflects ric rehabilitation, research, lectures, and teaching. her unwavering commitment to excellence and providing unparalleled care to her patients. In 2010, she attained the title of Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD), solidi- Dr. Larson is passionate about giving back and partners fying her dedication to providing state-of-the-art clinical with Austin and San Antonio school districts to receive services in behavioral and developmental vision care. All OCVT’s Vision and Learning Grant that provides evalCOVD Fellows are board certified in vision development uations and vision therapy services for free. She also and therapy and offer functional and preventative vision provides complimentary vision and learning screeners care services to their patients. At the end of 2023, there to schools in the Austin and San Antonio areas to enare 15 practicing optometrists in the state of Texas who sure schools have sufficient screenings in place. Her exare COVD certified. Dr. Larson’s commitment to pro- ceptional journey in optometry reflects her unwavering fessional excellence was further acknowledged by the commitment to excellence and providing unparalleled American Academy of Optometry (AAO) in 2012, when care to her patients. OCVT also is a provider of Infantshe was inducted as a Fellow, exemplifying her unwaver- SEE exams which provide no cost vision evaluations for ing commitment to the highest standards of professional infants between the ages of 6 months and 12 months. competence. Approximately 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Dr. Larson is also the co-founder of the Vision and Academy of Optometry. Learning Foundation whose mission is to fund vision therapy for students in need and to provide learning The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association based vision screeners in schools Texas wide. (NORA) acknowledged Dr. Larson’s exceptional clinTalk of Texas 35
