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Dr. Carol Marusich

Carol Marusich, OD, MS, FCOVD is an optometric physician, board certified in vision development and therapy with special interest in pediatrics, learning-related vision problems and vision rehabilitation following brain injury.

Dr. Marusich completed her Masters Degree in Sensory Physiology at Northwestern University and her Doctorate in Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating with highest honors. She has been practicing in Eugene since 1981.

Dr. Marusich has been recognized as Optometrist of the Year by both the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association and Great Western Council of Optometry and was the first recipient of the Western Regional People First award for her contributions to her community, to children's vision and to her profession. The National Academy of Practices Distinguished Practitioner Award places her among the top 150 Optometric clinicians in the country. Dr. Marusich currently serves on the Health, Disabilities and Social Services Advisory board for Head Start, and is past Chair of the International Examination and Certification Board for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr. Marusich also serves on a number of boards in Optometry and in the community and holds an Adjunct Faculty position for the Pacific University College of Optometry. She lectures internationally on the topics of infant vision and vision development, vision and eye health concerns of special populations, vision therapy, learning-related vision problems, vision problems associated with acquired brain injury and vision rehabilitation.

As part of her family practice at Lifetime Eye Care, Dr. Marusich offers expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, visual processing and learning-related vision disorders, and visual dysfunction following stroke or head injury. In addition to vision correction with glasses, contact lenses and vision therapy, Dr. Marusich also offers sports vision enhancement training and low vision care for the partially sighted.

 

    Professional Background:

  • Distinguished Practitioner of the National Academies of Practice
  • Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Pacific University College of Optometry, 1997 - Present
  • Board Certified in Vision Therapy, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, 1990
  • Doctor of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Ill., 1981
  • Master of Science, Northwestern University, Evanston Ill., 1976
  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 1975

    Professional Experience:

Private practice in Eugene , Oregon since 1981 emphasizing developmental vision and eye health care for infants, children and adults. Special services include treatment of vision problems that interfere with visual comfort and performance; vision therapy for learning related vision problems, vision problems associated with Autism, strabismus and amblyopia; sports performance enhancement; vision rehabilitation following stroke and acquired brain injury; and vision care for gifted and special populations.

    Recognition Awards:

  • Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Council -- Award for Excellence in Education (Non-Faculty)
  • Named Gift Honoree to the AAUW Educational Foundation: American Association of University Women
  •     In appreciation of significant community contribution to the mission of the AAUW
  • People First Award: Oregon and the Western Region
  •     For service in the community and to the profession of Optometry
  • National Academies of Practice

  •     Distinguished Practitioner Recognition
  • College of Optometrists in Vision Development
         President's Award for Outstanding Service
  • Great Western Council of Optometry
        Western Regional Optometrist of the Year
  • Oregon Optometric Physicians Association
         Oregon Optometrist of the Year
         President's Award for Outstanding Service
  • American Optometric Association
         Optometric Recognition Award
  • Lane County Woman of the Year
         For outstanding volunteer service to the community

   Professional Organizations/Offices:

American Optometric Association
  • InfantSEE volunteer, education program development and international education lecturer
  • Health Care Legislation Committee
  • Children's Binocular Vision Topical Interest Group Advisory Team
  • AOA nominating committee
  • Sports Vision Section

  • Great Western Council of Optometry
  • Past President, 2006 - 2007
  • President, 2005 - 2006
  • President Elect and GWCO Congress Chair, 2004 - 2005
  • Board of Directors, Oregon Trustee
  • GWCO Congress Continuing Education Committee Chair 1999 - 2005

  • Oregon Optometric Physicians Association

  • Senior Past President 2007 - 2008
  • Eye On Oregon : Association Journal Editorial Board 1997 - present
  • Immediate Past President 1997 - 1998
  • President 1996 - 1997
  • President Elect 1995 -1996 Legislative Committee Chair 1995 - 1996; Legislative Committee Member 1993 - present
  • Director of Third Party Care 1993 - 1995
  • Director of Optometric Care 1991 - 1993

  • College of Optometrists in Vision Development

  • Oregon State Director 1990 - 1994; 2005 - present
  • Applied Concepts Vision Development Course Preparation Taskforce 2001 - 2002
  • International Examination and Certification Board: Chair 1996 - 2000, Examiner 1994 - 2000
  • Infant Vision Taskforce Chair 2000
  • Intra-professional Relations Committee Chair 1992 - 1995
  • Western Region Assistant Director 1994 -1995
  • Journal of Optometric Vision Development Advertising Manager 1990 - 1992, Editorial Council 1991 - 1993

  • American Foundation for Vision Awareness

  • Advisory Board 1999 - 2001

  • Lane County Optometric Society
  • President 1982 - 1983
  • Secretary / Treasurer 1981 - 1982
  • LOS Legislative Chair 1996 - 2000

  • Optometric Extension Program Foundation
  • Clinical Associate 1981 - present
  • Northwest Paraoptometric Liaison 1985 - 1989
  • Oregon Brain Injury Foundation - member and lecturer
    Developmental Delay Resources - member
    Parents Active for Vision Education (PAVE) - member
    Willamette Valley Vision Therapy Study Group
    Operation Bright Start Foundation : National Advisory Board 2001 - 2002

     

        Community Involvement:

    • Eugene Chamber of Commerce
      • Membership Committee
    • Eugene Executives Association; board 2005-2006
    • Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children
      • Volunteer speaker
    • Association for Childhood Education International
    • Head Start of Lane County
      • Health and Special Services Advisory Committee
    • InfantSEE National Service Program
      • Advisory board, speaker development committee & speaker
    • Lane County Early Intervention Council
    • White Bird Community Clinic: Volunteer Physician
    • Special Olympics “Opening Eyes” Program Volunteer Physician
    • Vision USA “Give a Day” Program: Physician Volunteer
    • Professional Women's Network of Oregon
      • Past President
      • President
      • Board of Directors
      • PWNO Scholarship Chair
    • Evergreen School Steering Committee Coordinator
    • Oregon Head Injury Foundation
      • Volunteer Speaker
    • American Association of University Women
      • Membership Vice President
      • Education Foundation Committee
      • Technology Committee Chair
    • P.A.C.E., Parent and Child Education (early intervention program for children with special needs)
      • Advisory Council
      • Volunteer Speaker
    • Birth-to-Three
      • Volunteer Speaker/Author
      • Fund-raising Committee
    • Safe at Home Baseball Camp: Founding Sponsor
    • Girl Scouts of America
      • Troop leader
    • Volunteer PTA speaker on topics related to learning related vision problems
    • Inservice Programs for schools and community groups on vision and eye health


       
     Seminars/Inservice
       Programs Presented
       By Dr. Marusich:


    Dr. Marusich at the launch of the National InfantSEE program,
    with former president Jimmy Carter.

    Vision Assessment following Acquired Brain Injury: Sacred Heart Hospital Out-Patient Rehabilitation Center Occupational Therapists Workshop 2006

    Vision Rehabilitation following Acquired Brain Injury: Community Rehabilitation Services of Oregon

    Vision Development & Its Impact on Learning, Performance & Behavior : School-based Occupational Therapists Inservice

    How to Identify Patients who would benefit from Vision Therapy Intervention: Lane Optometric Society

    Infant Examination in Primary Care Practice

    Infant Vision Symposium

    Infant and Toddler Examination Workshop

    Develepmental Approach to Learning Related Vision Problems; College of Optometrists in Vision Development

    Integrating Primitive Reflexes: Their Role in Vision Therapy

    CSI: Common Strategies for the Infant

    How Vision Problems Can Impact Learning, Performance & Behavior: Oregon PTA Conference

    Vision Rehabilitation following Stroke & Brain Injury: Eugene Stroke Club

    Integration of Primitive Motor Reflexes: Why Should I Care?: College of Optometrists in Vision Development

    How to Integrate Infants & Preschoolers Into the Primary Care Practice, Studt Practicum

    Examination of the Infant & Preschool Patient: Manitoba Association of Optometrists, Vancouver Optometric Association

    Examination of the Preschool Child, American Optometric Association

    Panel of Peers: What's New in Children's Vision Care, Oregon Optometric Physicians' Association

    RBRVS, The Federal Register and You, Oregon Optometric Physicians Association Third Party Practice Management Seminar

    Early Vision Development, American Optometric Association; Mountain West Congress

    Clinical Pearls for School Age Children: Grand Rounds Panel; Southern Education Council of Optometry Optowest, Mountain West Congress; Southern Education Council of Optometry; American Optometric Association

    The Glasses Don't Help, Now What? Special Considerations Beyond Traditional Refractive Care; Southern Education Council of Optometry; Optowest; Mountain West Congress

    The Impact of Vision on Learning Problems in the Gifted Population; Colorado Vision and Learning Forum

    Infant Assessment for the Primary Care Practice: Birth to Three; American Optometric Association Congress

    Infant Assessment for the Primary Care Practice: Birth to 18 months; Southern Council of Optometry

    Toddler & Preschool Assessment for the Primary Care Practice: 18 months to 4 years; Southern Education Council of Optometry

    Moving & Doing, Seeing & Learning: What are you up to now? How can I help?; Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children

    How do Hidden Eye Problems Impact Learning and Attention? What can we do about them?; Workshop

    Foundations for Learning: Guiding Your Baby's Visual-Motor-Spatial Development; Birth to Three Parent Education; Tiny Tots Development Group

    Visual Efficiency & Visual Information Processing: Implications in the Classroom; Valley Optometric Society

    Evaluation & Management of Patients with Perceptual Problems; Pacific University College of Optometry

    When are we visually ready to learn?; Pacific University , School of Education Masters Program

    Vision Attention and Learning; Howard Elementary teacher in service, 1997; St. Paul School

    Vision, Learning and Behavior; Lane County Department of Youth Services

    The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury on Visual Perception; Pacific University College of Optometry

    Vision and Visual Processing: Beyond the Snellen Chart, Lane Education Service District

    The Role of Visual Efficiency and Visual Perceptual Processing in Development and Performance, Lane County CDRC (Childhood Development and Rehabilitation Center )

    The Impact of Brain Injury on Vision and Visual Performance: Job Ready Rehabilitation Group

    Diagnosis and Treatment of the Brain Injured Patient: Lane Optometric Society

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Special Populations: Studt Practicum , Southern California College of Optometry

    Evaluation and Management Codes for Patient Care: COVD Third Party Symposium

    Examination and Assessment of Special Populations: Indepth Testing Protocols; Southwestern Congress of Optometry and Southwest VT Forum

    Attention Deficit Disorder & Visual perceptual processing inefficiency - How do we tell the difference?: Learning Differences Program

    Vision Therapy: High Impact Techniques; Eastern States Congress

    Documentation Benefits Patient and Doctor: Northwest Paraoptometric Congress

    Visual Sensitivity and Awareness - Prerequisites to Visual Thinking: College of Optometrists in Vision Development Annual Meeting

    Vision Therapy - Implications for the Brain Injured Patient: 7th Annual Conference: Oregon Head Injury Foundation

    Practicum in How to Identify Brain Injured Patients who would benefit from Vision Therapy. 7 th Annual Conference: Oregon Head Injury Foundation

    Bilateral Functional Amblyopia Syndrome/Visual Conversion Reaction Syndrome: The Great Western Council of Optometry

    Integrated Model for Optometric Care of the Brain Injured Patient: The Great Western Council of Optometry

    Integrated Model for Behavioral Vision Care: Pacific University College of Optometry Research Conference

    Optometric Care of the Traumatic Brain Injured Patient: Pacific University College of Optometry; lecture series; Lane Optometric Society:

    Screening for Visual Dysfunction in Pediatric & Brain Injured Patients: Occupational Therapy Assn. of Oregon

    Behavioral Neuro-Optometric Examination and Treatment of the Traumatic Brain Injured Patient: SAIF - State Accident Insurance Firm

    Visual Rehabilitation, Evaluation and Treatment Options: Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon Institute

    Learning Related Vision Problems Impact Academic Performance: Insight into Learning - Group

    The Role of Vision in Learning and School Performance: Sylvan Learning Center Parents Group

    How To Identify Patients With Learning Related Visual Dysfunctions: Lane County Optometric Society

    Vision Therapy; State of the Art, Washington State Board Continuing Education Program

    Behavioral Optometry for All Ages: Northwest Congress

    Visual Perception and Visual Illusion: Northwest Congress

    How to Identify Patients With Learning Related Visual Dysfunctions: Lane County Occupational Therapist

    Children with Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy: P.A.C.E. parent groups

    Eye Health and Vision Development in infants and toddlers: Birth-to-three parent groups

    Detection and remediation of visual processing dysfunctions in children with learning problems: In service program for Lane County School Psychologists, Lane Education Service District

     

         Publications:

    Six Months not too young for first eye exam: Register Guard Oregon Life Section

    Integration of Primitive Motor Reflexes; Continuing Education Video for Optometric Physicians; Optometric Extension Program Education

    Integrating Infants into the Primary Care Practice: Marusich & Steele; Journal of the American Optometric Association, vol 76 No 2: 123-127.

    Infant Examination Techniques: Continuing Education Video for Optometric Physicians; American Foundation for Vision Awareness

    Infant Vision Care: Education Video for Parents on the Importance of Vision Development and Early Comprehensive Vision Examination for Infants; American Foundation for Vision Awareness

    The Effects of Vision on Learning and School Performance: A Handbook for Educators and Parents; Contributing editor, Revised

    Infant Vision: How do I know everything's OK?; Register Guard, Birth to Three and Beyond

    Early Development: The Foundation for Learning; Register Guard, Birth to Three and Beyond

    Brighter Children! Brighter Tomorrow!; Dr. Lyelle Palmer Video (interview participant)

    Inter-professional Relationships: Practice Administration, Development and Management for Behavioral Optometrists; Journal of Optometric Vision Development

    Guiding Your Baby's Visual-Motor-Spatial Development; Register Guard, Birth to Three and Beyond

    How Important is Motor to Visual - Motor Development; Register Guard, Birth-to-Three and Beyond

    Amblyopia: Diagnosis & Treatment; Register Guard Parenting Section

    Eye Health and Ultraviolet Radiation in Early Childhood; Register Guard, Birth-to-Three and Beyond

    Vision and Visual - Motor Development in Early Childhood; Register Guard; Birth-to-Three and Beyond.

    Vision Training Series: The Walking Rail Video; OEPF, contributing author

    Vision Screening for Learning Related Vision Dysfunctions: Optometric Extension Program Foundation Assistant's Chapters

    The OEP Study Group: Optometric Extension Program Foundation Assistant's Chapters