The Optometry Center for Vision Therapy- Westlake

Dr. Briana Larson has the distinction of being the lone practicing optometrist in the state of Texas with this exclusive set of Credentials.

In 2001, while a junior pursuing her undergraduate studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Dr. Larson started working as a vision therapist and was introduced to this specialized field of optometry. She went on to optometry school earning her doctorate degree from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2007. Dr. Larson serves as an adjunct clinical faculty member of the Rosenberg School of Optometry – University of the Incarnate Word.

Dr. Larson, a developmental optometrist completed a clinical residency in Vision Therapy Rehabilitation and Pediatric Optometry in 2008, a credential achieved by less than 1% of Optometrists nationwide. The post-doctorate Vision Therapy Residency program is typically one year in duration to complete certification. A doctor of optometry in Residency spends a minimum of 50 hours a week obtaining additional training, knowledge and expertise in the specialized field of optometric vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. Vision Therapy Residency programs entail extensive clinical experience in optometric vision therapy, brain trauma injury rehabilitation and pediatric eye care, including infants and children with special needs. The programs also require active involvement in research, lectures and teaching. Individuals who successfully achieve residency certification in Vision Therapy serve as experts and leaders in the field of Vision Therapy and Binocular Vision. Doctors of Optometry are not required to fulfill a residency program prior to practicing their profession; a key factor in the limited number (less than 1%) of optometrists achieving a Residency Certification. A residency and certification in vision therapy can be earned from a select number of Schools of Optometry. Acceptance into a Residency program is limited and highly competitive.

In 2010, she became a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). The COVD Fellow certification process serves to identify doctors of optometry who are prepared to offer state-of-the-art clinical services in behavioral and developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. All COVD Fellows are Board certified in vision development and therapy and offer functional and preventative vision care services to their patients. To become a Fellow of COVD, optometrists who have practiced for at least three years must complete a Fellowship education program, a written examination and an oral interview administered by the COVD International Examination and Certification Board. At the end of 2015, there are 11 practicing optometrists in the state of Texas who are COVD certified.



The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recently inducted Dr. Larson as a Fellow of the Academy during its 2012 annual conference. Fellows of the Academy are evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence and must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist and sitting for an oral exam at the Annual Meeting of the Academy. About 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry.

The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) inducted Dr. Briana Larson as a Fellow (FNORA) during its 2014 Annual Conference at North Carolina. A Fellow of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (FNORA) designation is recognition of a professional’s highest level of competence in clinical abilities and scientific knowledge in the field of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Currently, there are only twenty one (21) FNORA professionals in the United States. Dr. Larson is the lone practicing optometrist in Texas with an FNORA credential. The NORA Fellowship program is typically a 2 to 5 year skills development process that involves coursework, conferences, passing a written test, case studies, presentations and being published

Born and raised in the Austin area, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Minor in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin. In her sophomore year of undergraduate studies, she started working as an optometric assistant for a local therapeutic optometrist and was introduced to the field of optometry. Dr. O’Brien attended The University of Houston College of Optometry and received her Doctorate of Optometry degree in 2009. She completed clinical rotations in pediatrics and binocular vision, low vision rehabilitation, specialty contact lens, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular disease, and medical eye services. During her professional clinical studies, Dr. O’Brien was recognized with a Clinical Letter of Excellence and received awards in “Excellence in Neuro-Ophthalmology” and “Excellence in Medical Eye Service”.



In addition to her Fellowship in Vision Development and therapy, Dr. O’Brien is licensed as a therapeutic optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist in Texas. She has extensive training in the management of ocular disease, cataract and refractive surgery co-management, and specialty contact lens evaluations. Dr. O’Brien is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, an associate member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, American Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association, and Central Texas Optometric Society. Dr. O’Brien is committed to serving the Central Texas community with thorough, comprehensive, and personalized optometric vision therapy care of the highest quality for all her patients. She is a participating provider of the InfantSEE program and OCVT Vision and Learning Grant.

Dr. George Chen is a board-certified optometrist and is currently working on his post-doctorate residency in vision rehabilitation and pediatrics at OCVT. He earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology with a minor in Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He received his Doctorate of Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry in 2019.

After graduating from UCBSO, he worked closely with ophthalmology at a high-volume practice. Dr. Chen’s passion for vision rehabilitation arises from seeing large number of patients at the ophthalmology practice with brain injuries without rehabilitative services available. He is excited to finally be able to serve those in need of vision therapy in Texas as a current resident at OCVT. He is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), and will be joining the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). In his spare time, Dr. Chen likes to closely follow the market, explore new food and new places, and spending time with friends, family, and his two dogs.

Dr. Nathaniel Jensen is a board-certified optometrist and is currently working on his post-doctorate residency in vision rehabilitation and pediatrics at OCVT. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Business Management at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He received his Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry where he was the recipient of awards celebrating his passion for developmental optometry and for private practice optometry. Dr. Jensen is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), and the American Optometric Association (AOA), through which he is also an InfantSee provider. Dr. Jensen enjoys playing the piano, and during his free time you might find him seeking out his next taco fix, playing with his three daughters or rewatching favorite episodes of The Office with his wife.

Dr. Melissa Wong is a board-certified optometrist and is currently working on her post-doctorate residency in vision rehabilitation and pediatrics at OCVT. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the University of Southern California (Fight On!). She received her Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University. During her time at SCCO, Dr. Wong was awarded the Dr. Homer and Marie Hendrickson Memorial Award (vision therapy) and the Dr. Lawrence E. Gallarini Memorial Award (low vision rehabilitation). For her 4th year clinical rotations, Dr. Wong had the privilege of serving at the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare Center, Ketchum Health in Anaheim, CA and the San Diego Center for Vision Care. Dr. Wong worked with a vast population of patients in the areas of pediatrics, vision therapy, ocular disease, contact lens, and low vision. Dr. Wong is a member of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), American Optometric Association (AOA), and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). She is also participating in the InfantSee provider program through the AOA. In her free time, Dr. Wong enjoys trying new culinary dishes, listening to live music, watching musical theater, and attending sports games—especially football and basketball.