About

Laurie Chaikin, O.D., OTR/L, FCOVD

Laurie Chaikin, O.D., OTR/L, FCOVD

 Rehabilitation Optometrist

Laurie Chaikin received her MS in Occupational Therapy in 1983 and her Doctor of Optometry degree from UC Berkeley in 1993.  By integrating her knowledge and interest in vision and neurological rehabilitation Dr. Chaikin has created a unique practice that represents a merging of both disciplines. Her current professional interests focus on identification and treatment of visual problems in patients following stroke and traumatic brain injury, visually related learning problems of children, and low vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Chaikin has been keenly interested in the application of microcurrent to help slow the progress of a number of different eye diseases.  To this end she developed original protocols and has conducted clinical trials using microcurrent for macular degeneration.  See https://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article_id=25016 for the article.  Protocols are also under development for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, corneal injury, eye surgery recovery and other eye conditions.

Dr. Chaikin has also worked as a consultant with CentraSight, Inc. for the new prosthetic technology of the implantable miniature telescope to treat end-stage macular degeneration. This FDA approved treatment is an excellent option for on demand magnification.  CentraSight is working with local specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area to establish a local center for this treatment.

Dr. Chaikin has also enjoyed teaching therapists about vision therapy for children and rehabilitation populations. She has also done professional writing contributing a chapter on vision rehabilitation to Darcy Umphred’s textbook Neurological Rehabilitation, 6th Edition (2012), and a chapter titled Optometry and Occupational Therapy Collaboration in Vision Therapy in Michele Gentile’s textbook Functional Visual Behavior in Children, 2nd Edition (2005).

In case you were wondering about the turtle with the eyeglasses, Dr. Laurie is an avid sailor, scuba diver and general appreciator of our watery planet. The turtle is an amazing sea/land creature able to make long and strenuous ocean voyages. This particular turtle brings to mind the consideration that we not take ourselves too seriously all the time.

Referral Network

Cindy Gibson-Horn, PT

Cindy Gibson-Horn, PT

Balance-Based Torso-Weighted Vest: BalanceWear®

Cindy Gibson-Horn is a physical therapist who developed an effective approach to helping patients with balance disorders.  While working on research supported by The California APTA, National MS Society and NIH she developed BalanceWear. Cindy instructs therapists World Wide in Balance-Based Torso-Weighting.  Cindy noted that her patients reported improvements in their vision while wearing the BalanceWear. We have been working together to explore which patients responded positively and to research this further.  Patients have included those with multiple sclerosis, stroke, ataxia, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.  Please see Motion Therapeutics for more information.

James Gaydos, DO

James Gaydos, DO

James Gaydos, DO is a dual board-certified physician in Family Practice, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine – providing a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of the wide variety of medical conditions common in General Practice.

Here is what Dr. Chaikin has to say about working with an osteopath:

“I have learned from Dr. Gaydos about the effect of visual strain on the central nervous system, which he can sense.  When I examine patients who he refers to me, my goal is to identify and correct the strain optometrically to support his work.   Conversely when I refer patients for osteopathic work with him, the vision can be supported along with the other aspects of the body/mind which are impacting vision.”

Dr Gaydos is trained to sense your body’s ability to self-correct, and it is in observing “where” your Body is attempting to self-correct, and noting the “How Well” of the self-correction, that Dr. Gaydos is able to provide osteopathic medical care that is uniquely directed by the wisdom of your Body,  rather than being limited to the generic management of a medical condition solely by its symptoms.

Dr. Gaydos’ training and experience addresses the full range of medical concerns seen in a general practice.

Dr Gaydos has special interests in Insomnia, Head Injury, Headache, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Mood Disorders, and Functional Problems of the Internal Organs and Immune System.

His practice provides osteopathic care through osteopathic manipulation, nutrition and lifestyle education, as well as through contemporary medical diagnostic testing and treatment, in order to help you optimize your own health and well-being.