VT Works

This post is part of my Sit Down series. Candid, written conversations with real people reflecting on their journeys and experiences in Vision Therapy.

A Sit Down – with Dr. Patrick Quaid

As we revisit your story a decade after our first interview, how has your professional role within Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry evolved, both in Canada and internationally?

When I look back at that interview from roughly ten years ago, what strikes me most is not how much has changed — but how consistently the core mission has remained the same. What has evolved is my scope of responsibility. In 2015, I saw myself primarily as a clinician and researcher advocating for Developmental and Rehabilitative vision care. Today, that advocacy has expanded into organizational leadership, policy, education, and international collaboration. In Canada, my role has grown from clinical practice and research into governance and representation. Serving as President of OVDRA is both an honour and a responsibility I take very seriously. The organization has matured, our voice has strengthened, and our engagement with regulators, insurers, universities, and allied professions is far more sophisticated than it was a decade ago. Internationally, my work now intersects more directly with colleagues in the U.S., UK, and Europe through collaborative research, shared educational initiatives, and cross-border discussions on best practices in neuro-optometric rehabilitation. Perhaps the most meaningful evolution has been the shift from advocating to be heard to being asked to contribute. Whether that’s in academic circles, interdisciplinary concussion care, or now even within the Canadian Armed Forces, Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry is increasingly recognized as a necessary — not optional — component of modern healthcare. Personally, this evolution mirrors my own journey. I am no longer just building clinics or publishing papers; I am helping build infrastructure for the next generation — educational pathways, research credibility, and organizational stability. That shift has been humbling, energizing, and deeply motivating.

Canada has seen growing interest in Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry over the past decade. What changes have you noticed most, and what do you believe has fueled this momentum?

The most notable change has been visibility. Ten years ago, Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry often existed on the margins — understood by families who needed it, but not always by systems that fund or regulate care. Today, that has shifted meaningfully. Several forces have driven this momentum. First, concussion awareness has exploded. Parents, educators, physicians, and insurers are now starting thankfully to recognize that vision is not just about acuity — it is about processing, integration, and performance. When patients continue to struggle for months or years after an injury, Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists are increasingly the professionals who can explain why — and more importantly — decide what can be done.

Second, outcomes matter, and our profession has matured in how we document them. We are no longer relying solely on anecdote; we are publishing, presenting, and defending our work in peer-reviewed environments. That credibility matters — to policymakers, to insurers, and to our colleagues in other disciplines.

Third, I believe families themselves have been a major catalyst. Parents of children with learning-related visual difficulties are informed, persistent, and empowered. They ask better questions, seek evidence-based care, and share their experiences widely. That grassroots advocacy has been incredibly powerful.

Finally, organizations like OVDRA — and the mentors who shaped it — have provided continuity, standards, and leadership. We are standing on the shoulders of giants, and the momentum we see today is a direct result of decades of foundational work by those who came before us.

Your clinical journey spans Ireland, the UK, Canada, academia, sports medicine, and private practice. How have these diverse environments shaped the clinician you are today?

Each environment taught me something different — and each one corrected blind spots I didn’t know I had at the time. My early training in Ireland and the UK grounded me in rigorous clinical fundamentals and systems-based thinking. The emphasis on structure, examination discipline, and clinical accountability shaped how I approach every patient to this day. Canada exposed me to interdisciplinary collaboration at a scale I had not previously experienced. Working alongside neurologists, physiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and educators reinforced a simple truth: no single profession owns recovery. Vision care must integrate — not isolate.

Academia taught me humility. Research forces clarity. It demands that we question assumptions, quantify outcomes, and remain open to being wrong. That mindset has been essential in my clinical growth. As they saying goes, “The mind is like a parachute – only of use when open”.

Sports medicine and military environments introduced urgency. When performance, safety, and readiness matter, vision becomes mission-critical. Those settings sharpened my appreciation for functional vision — not just clinical metrics.

Private practice, finally, taught me sustainability. Care must be excellent, but it must also be deliverable, ethical, and scalable.

Together, these environments shaped a clinician who values precision, collaboration, evidence, and practicality — and who understands that patients live at the intersection of all four.

You’ve long advocated for stronger VT education in Canadian Optometry programs. What progress has been made, and what gaps still remain?

There has been real progress — and also unfinished work. We now see greater exposure to binocular vision and visual processing concepts in Canadian Optometry education than a decade ago. Students are more aware of VT, more curious about it, and more likely to seek postgraduate training. That cultural shift matters. However, exposure is not the same as competency. The largest gap remains the translation from theory to clinical application. VT is learned through mentorship, repetition, and guided clinical experience — not lectures alone. We also need to normalize VT as core optometric care, not a niche interest. That means integrating it longitudinally throughout training, embedding it in clinical rotations, and supporting faculty development.

Finally, we must continue to support postgraduate pathways, certifications, and research literacy so graduates feel confident — not isolated — when pursuing this work. Watch this space in 2026/2027 – this is a major area of focus for me currently (cannot say more than this right now, will be obvious why in time, but believe me – more to come” is an understatement).

You’ve maintained deep connections with academic institutions while running a full- time VT practice. What do you see as the essential bridge between research and clinical reality, and how can our field continue to strengthen that connection?

Wonderful question. The essential bridge between research and clinical reality is mutual respect — and shared language. Too often, research and clinical practice are framed as parallel worlds rather than complementary ones. In reality, the strongest advances in Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry occur when clinicians and researchers recognize that they are working toward the same goal from different angles. Research brings discipline, structure, and accountability. It forces us to define terms precisely, measure outcomes objectively, and challenge assumptions — including our own. Clinical practice, on the other hand, brings complexity, nuance, and real-world constraints. Patients rarely present as clean textbook cases, and their progress is influenced by motivation, environment, comorbidities, and life circumstances that don’t always fit neatly into study designs. The bridge is built when clinicians engage with research not as passive consumers, but as contributors — and when researchers remain grounded in clinical relevance. Case series, pragmatic trials, longitudinal outcome tracking, and mixed-methods research are particularly well suited to Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry because they reflect how care is actually delivered. In fact, for a wonderful discussion on this very topic from Dr. Norman Doidge (had the pleasure of having dinner with him recently in Toronto) read his opinion piece linked here – so refreshing to read. Trust me – take 10 mins to read this over a coffee!

To strengthen the connection between researchers and clinicians, our field must continue to lower the barriers to scholarly participation for clinicians. Not every practitioner needs to run a randomized controlled trial, but every clinician can contribute data, observations, and outcomes when supported appropriately. Mentorship, collaborative networks, and partnerships with universities are key. Equally important is cultivating research literacy in training programs so clinicians feel empowered — not intimidated — by evidence. When research becomes something we do together, rather than something done to the profession, credibility grows organically.

Given the growing public awareness of concussion-related visual issues, what responsibilities do you believe Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists must embrace to meet the needs of this expanding patient population?

With increased visibility comes increased responsibility. Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists are now being sought out by patients, physicians, schools, insurers, and military and sports organizations — and often only after other interventions have fallen short. That trust must be earned and sustained.

First, we have a responsibility to lead with clarity. Concussion-related visual dysfunction can be complex and multifactorial. Our role is to explain what is happening in language patients and families can understand, while remaining scientifically accurate and clinically grounded. Overstatement helps no one; precision builds trust. If there are co-morbidities that temper clinical expectations – be up front about those and learn about them as much as you can. There is also a massive mental health aspect (i.e. PTSD and mTBI symptom overlap) that we have to keep in mind and respect when treating. As I have always said “good practitioners can treat well, great ones however also know when to get others involved”.

Second, we must commit to rigorous assessment and outcome tracking. As demand grows, so does scrutiny. Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists must be confident not only in what they are doing, but in how they demonstrate effectiveness. Objective measures, standardized protocols, and transparent documentation are no longer optional — they are essential.

Third, collaboration is critical. Concussion care is inherently interdisciplinary. Our responsibility is not to replace other providers, but to integrate seamlessly with them — neurologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, educators, and increasingly, military and occupational health teams. When vision care is framed as a cooperative contribution rather than a competing solution, patient outcomes improve.

Finally, we must advocate responsibly. Public awareness is growing, but misinformation can spread just as quickly. Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists must serve as steady, evidence-informed voices who elevate the conversation rather than sensationalize it.

Now in your role as President of OVDRA, what excites you most about the direction the organization is headed, and what do you see as its greatest opportunity in the coming years?

What excites me most about OVDRA right now is its depth of leadership and clarity of purpose. We have a board that is not only a great mix of academics and clinicians, but more importantly engaged, thoughtful, and deeply committed to the mission — and we have an emerging generation of clinicians who are curious, capable, and ready to lead. This year has also been one of reflection. The loss of Dr. Robert (Bob) Sanet was profound. Bob was not just an educator or leader — he was a mentor to generations of clinicians and a quiet force behind much of what our organization stands for. His influence reminds us that progress is cumulative. We truly do stand on the shoulders of giants. Our greatest opportunity lies in continuity — ensuring that the wisdom, standards, and values built over decades are passed forward while embracing innovation. That means supporting young clinicians, strengthening educational offerings, expanding research engagement, and advocating effectively with regulators and insurers. OVDRA’s raison d’être — helping children with learning-related visual challenges and individuals of all ages recovering from brain injury — has never been more relevant. The need is growing, and the organization is well positioned to meet it with integrity, evidence, and compassion.

Balancing practice ownership, research, academia, leadership roles, and family life is no small feat. What have you learned about sustaining purpose and avoiding burnout in such a demanding profession?

I’ve learned that burnout is rarely about workload alone — it’s about misalignment. When effort and purpose drift apart, exhaustion follows.

Sustaining purpose has required me to become more intentional over time. Early in my career, I said yes to almost everything. That openness created opportunities, but it wasn’t sustainable. Learning when to say no — and trusting others to step forward — has been one of the most important lessons.

Family has been my anchor. Revisiting this interview a decade later and seeing how my family has grown — especially watching Ayleen grow from a toddler to the person she is becoming — puts everything into perspective. Professional milestones matter, but they mean far more when shared with the people who ground you. I’ve also learned the value of community. Burnout thrives in isolation. Purpose thrives in shared mission. Whether through OVDRA, academic collaborators, clinic teams, or even the Canadian Armed Forces, being part of something larger than oneself provides resilience. Finally, I’ve learned that rest is not a reward — it’s a responsibility.

In your experience, what qualities define a truly outstanding Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrist, and how can emerging clinicians cultivate those qualities early in their careers?

Outstanding Developmental and Rehabilitative optometrists share a few defining qualities: curiosity, humility, persistence, and empathy. Curiosity drives lifelong learning. The field evolves, and so must we. Humility allows us to recognize limits, seek mentorship, and collaborate meaningfully. Persistence matters because progress in rehabilitation is rarely linear (and yes, there will be tough days and that is ok – you either win or learn, you never lose). And empathy is foundational — patients entrust us with deeply personal struggles tied to identity, learning, and function. Emerging clinicians can cultivate these qualities by seeking mentorship early, engaging with professional organizations such as OVDRA, and embracing complexity rather than avoiding it. Growth in this field takes time — and that is a strength, not a weakness.

Lastly, after everything you’ve built — as a clinician, researcher, educator, and now President of OVDRA — what does it mean to you personally to devote your life to work that helps patients reclaim abilities you once had to fight for yourself?

For me, this work has always been personal.

As a child, I experienced how visual challenges can quietly undermine learning, confidence, and opportunity. I also experienced what it feels like when those challenges are finally understood and addressed. That perspective never leaves you.

Every patient who regains reading endurance, balance, confidence, or cognitive clarity reinforces why this work matters. Whether in clinic, in research, in leadership, or now through my unexpected journey into military service — being commissioned as an officer in my mid-40s and preparing to serve as one of the first bioscience officers, and one of the only optometrists in such a role in Canada — the mission remains the same. In an era of AI and instant information, what we do is arguably more important than ever. Vision therapy isn’t about access to information — it’s about the ability to process, integrate, and act on what we see. Helping people reclaim that ability isn’t just my profession. It’s my purpose.

Closing Reflection: I have to thank you Robert – revisiting this interview nearly a decade after that first conversation in 2015 has been both grounding and deeply meaningful. At that time, I was still finding my voice within Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry — learning, building, and advocating for a field I believed in with conviction, but still very much in growth. What’s changed since then is not the why, but the context. My family has grown, my professional roles have expanded, and the responsibility I feel toward this profession has deepened — especially now as President of OVDRA. Yet the heart of the work remains the same: helping people see, process, and engage with the world more fully. If there is a common thread between then and now, it is gratitude — for the mentors who shaped me, the colleagues and family members who walk this path alongside me, the organization that continues to evolve with strength and purpose, and the patients who remind us every day why this work matters. Coming full circle, I am more convinced than ever that Developmental and Rehabilitative Optometry’s mission is not only enduring — it is essential for the future.

Closing Thoughts from Robert: First and foremost, my sincere thanks to Dr. Quaid for taking the time to share so openly and honestly. His first written interview on this site was published in May of 2015, and revisiting those earlier words while engaging with him again now has been both grounding and genuinely enjoyable. There is something uniquely meaningful about reflecting back, seeing what has endured, what has shifted, and how perspective deepens over time. Walking alongside him (on paper) these last few weeks as he considers both where he’s been and where he’s headed has been a reminder of why these conversations have always mattered to me. Please join me in wishing Dr. Patrick Quaid and his family great times ahead, continued clarity, curiosity, and fulfillment as they move forward. Cheers!