An Introduction to Cognitive Optometry

About the Book

Dr. Brelvi, a SUNY: Optometry graduate and an 18-year veteran of Clinical Optometry, throws down the “gauntlet” to the next generation of Vision Therapy clinicians, not only in the US but also around the world. He challenges them to adopt a much-needed optometric model in the Cognitive Neurosciences, in order to effectively address the burgeoning fields of Autism, various Neurological Dysfunctions and Learning Disabilities.

According to Dr. Brelvi, the frontiers of scientific discovery are defined as much by the tools available for clinical observation and monitoring as by conceptual innovation. Optometrists or Optometric physicians have historically studied the visual system in toto to understand the subtle nuances associated with a spectrum of learning disabilities. Dr. Brelvi feels that the time is now ripe for Optometry to broaden its scientific horizons and venture into the Cognitive realm of neurological dysfunctions.

By introducing the new discipline of Cognitive Optometry, Dr. Brelvi envisions fellow clinicians to recognize the key role played by the visual system in the complex process of cognition, which gives rise to the gift of sentience in modern Homo sapiens. In his view, what marks Cognitive Optometry as an emerging discipline in the Neuro-Clinical Sciences is the study of anomalous mental activity as a visual information-processing problem.

It rests on the premise that our perceptions, thoughts and social behavior depend on the ability of the visual system to evaluate and collate sensory information correctly. Perceptual representations taking place in various regions of the brain need to be “translated” into successful goal-oriented behavior in afflicted “patients” to help lead more productive and rewarding lifestyles.

About the Author

Graduated from SUNY – Optometry: Optometric Physician, class of ‘89

- acquired professional clinical skills to diagnose, manage and treat ocular diseases

- studied basic medical sciences at Universidad Cetec in the Dominican Republic with emphasis on neuroanatomy/physiology of primate brains

- became interested in Cognitive Neuroscience in order to explore the development of cognitive ability in the great apes, hominids and early humans

- published author of two science-based adventure books for general audiences and college students

- Book 3 in final phase of publishing. Tentatively slated for release this year

- Primer on the emerging field of Cognitive Optometry that is also pending publication in summer/fall 2007

- currently in the process of researching and writing Books 4 & 5 of a five-part series on hominid evolution in regions of the Northeast, East & Central Africa

- developing early human, ape and simian genealogies to aid better comprehension of primate evolution

Undertook Graduate-level studies at Seton Hall with special emphasis on the anatomy/physiology of the mammalian CNS

Employed as Research Scientist at Sandoz Inc. in Diabetes/Hypoglycemia

Ran animal screens (dose and sacrifice) in various animal models such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys for the organic compounds of a large multinational pharmaceutical corp displaying high level of activity in lowering blood glucose levels

- Undergrad education in Geology, Zoology and Chemistry

- Graduated in the First Class with Honors from Wadia College of Poona University, India

- attended St. Vincent’s High School, Poona, India

- Explorer/Traveler:

- spent a few weeks at Margarita Island off the Venezuelan coast and then went on to explore the Orinoco River Valley around Angel Falls

- interacted with the local Pemon Indian tribe that weave baskets/mats and fabricate ceremonial masks or various totems to subserve indigenous deities

Visited sections of the Great Rift Valley of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania to gain a first-hand perspective on its topography and terrain

- toured a local museum dedicated to Dr. Leakey and family in order to evaluate the development and utilization of stone tools by ancestral humans

- met with the chief and toured a native village in the Maasai Mara region of southern Kenya