Bernstein Center for Visual Performance

My lifelong fascination and dedication to the practice of optometry began when I was in the 9th grade.  I thought I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer, but watching my uncle practice optometry soon convinced me that my future was in the optometric profession.

For over four decades - I've been a practicing optometrist, and I started Family Vision Care Associates (a general optometry practice) in 1960. 

Vision therapy was taught back in my optometry school days - and I was an early believer in the very positive results that vision therapy can provide for people with vision problems other than those for which glasses can compensate.

Over the years I've watched the vision therapy field grow and become increasingly more sophisticated and effective.

I was delighted when my son Paul (Dr. Paul Bernstein) became an optometrist, and even more so when we able to practice optometry together - with a particular emphasis on vision development, visually-related behavior, and optometric vision therapy.  This led to the Bernstein Center for Visual Performance having been created (2000).

As "Dr. Ira", I have conducted thousands of vision therapy evaluations and treatment programs.  Even with my tremendous experience, I find each new patient a unique and exciting challenge.

I often meet young people who (because of their vision problems) have low self esteem or self confidence.  They can't read (or catch a ball) like other kids.  They don't know what's wrong - but they know something is...

When their vision gradually begins to improve through VT, I get to see their self esteem and confidence begin to grow - and then soar.

Even after many years of optometry practice, this is still the most rewarding part of my chosen profession.

Dr. Ira

ed. note: Dr. Ira Bernstein has also served the optometric profession as former chairman of the Children’s Vision and Vision Therapy Department of the Optometric Center of New York where he taught clinical courses in vision development, children's vision, and vision therapy for over 40 years.  He continues adjunct clinical teaching while holding the rank of Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus.  Dr. Ira is a past President of the Westchester-Rockland-Putnam Optometric Society, the New York Academy of Optometry, and the Organization of Optometric Educators in Binocular Vision, Perception and Vision Development.

Visual Performance and The Bernstein Center

The mission of the Bernstein Center for Visual Performance is to identify, diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have visual performance deficits which result in underachievement of their goals. These goals may be academic, athletic, job related, or simply the desire to achieve clear, comfortable and efficient visual performance. Better Vision for a Better Life!