John Abbondanza
John Abbondanza, OD Dr. Abbondanza is the chair of the Clinical Curriculum Development Committee of the OEPF, he oversees and helps develop the continued excellence of all OEPF Clinical Curriculum educational offerings. Dr. Abbondanza graduated from Milford High School and from Boston College (Go Eagles!) with a degree in Psychology. He graduated with honors in the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society from the New England College of Optometry, where he was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor of Optometry in 1991. He is a past President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, where he was the youngest President in the almost 100-year history of the organization. Dr. John has also served on the Suffolk Superior Court Medical Malpractice Tribunal. He lectures extensively to optometrists, educators, occupational therapists, and other groups on how Behavioral Optometry helps people in their daily lives. Dr. John is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy, where contact lenses are used to reshape the cornea as an alternative to eyeglasses or LASIK. He is in private practice at Vision Care Specialists in Southborough with a specialization in vision-related learning problems. Dr. John is a 30-year member of the American Optometric Association and a clinical associate of the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF), which is the national organization of Behavioral Optometrists. He is board certified in Vision Therapy as a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). Dr. John serves on the Northeast Regional Congress of Optometrists Committee where he was recently appointed Chair of their Clinical Seminar. He is also on the Budget Committee of the COVD and is the Massachusetts Chairman of the OEP. Additionally, Dr. John is the Massachusetts leader of the national InfantSEE program.
2026-04-17
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Plennary Hall
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Plennary Hall
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Plennary Hall
2026-04-18
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Workshop D
Much attention is paid to central vision within optometry. What is the visual acuity, can we correct them to 20/20, etc. While this is important, being able to effectively utilize peripher...
Much attention is paid to central vision within optometry. What is the visual acuity, can we correct them to 20/20, etc. While this is important, being able to effectively utilize peripheral vision can have a significant impact on patient function in their daily lives, such as in school, work, and playing sports. This workshop lays the foundation of central-peripheral processing and reviews basic techniques that should be part of every vision therapy program. Active ‘hands-on’ participation is expected from all attendees.
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Workshop D
Much attention is paid to central vision within optometry. What is the visual acuity, can we correct them to 20/20, etc. While this is important, being able to effectively utilize peripher...
Much attention is paid to central vision within optometry. What is the visual acuity, can we correct them to 20/20, etc. While this is important, being able to effectively utilize peripheral vision can have a significant impact on patient function in their daily lives, such as in school, work, and playing sports. This workshop lays the foundation of central-peripheral processing and reviews basic techniques that should be part of every vision therapy program. Active ‘hands-on’ participation is expected from all attendees.
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Workshop D
This workshop builds on the BASIC workshop and introduces more sophisticated activities that further develop the ability to integrate central and peripheral vision and to further learn how t...
This workshop builds on the BASIC workshop and introduces more sophisticated activities that further develop the ability to integrate central and peripheral vision and to further learn how to use vision to guide movement. The goal of this workshop is to learn how to do the activities by being both the ‘therapist’ and the ‘patient’, including Squinchel and Wolff Dowels. Attendance at the BASIC workshop is required prior to taking this workshop.
- BEHAVIORAL THERAPEUTIC METHODS
- Workshop D
This workshop builds on the BASIC workshop and introduces more sophisticated activities that further develop the ability to integrate central and peripheral vision and to further learn how t...
This workshop builds on the BASIC workshop and introduces more sophisticated activities that further develop the ability to integrate central and peripheral vision and to further learn how to use vision to guide movement. The goal of this workshop is to learn how to do the activities by being both the ‘therapist’ and the ‘patient’, including Squinchel and Wolff Dowels. Attendance at the BASIC workshop is required prior to taking this workshop.
