Wexford Academy
Vision Therapy and Learning Center
Staff
Dr. Robert Prazer, FCOVD
Dr. Prazer is a developmental optometrist who has been involved in evaluating and treating visual dysfunctions since 1984.
Dr. Prazer earned a Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and has specialized in developmental vision care for almost 25 years. After obtaining his B.S. in Physiological Optics and his Doctorate, he spent two years at Allegheny Ophthalmology, a medical eye care practice.
Dr. Prazer spent four years as an associate at the Reading Center at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. This practice specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of visual problems related to reading, learning and performance.
In 1990 he founded Pediatric and Adult Vision Care with the mission of providing full scope vision care in a patient friendly, professional setting. Dr. Prazer saw an increasing need for developmental vision care so he founded Wexford Academy in January 2008. This office combines developmental vision care with Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, plus an Accredited Preschool. Here the emphasis is on providing a place for children to develop the visual skills they need for reading and academics as well as help children and adults with visual difficulties resolve their visual concerns and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Prazer is an excellent speaker and has provided free lectures as well as continuing education lectures for educators, professionals and parents throughout the area. Some of his presentations include: The Children’s Institute, Pediatric Therapy Specialists, Inc., D.T. Watson, The Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Baseball and Softball Coaches of Western Pennsylvania, Moon School District PTO, North Allegheny School District, St James Elementary School.
Dr. Prazer has also presented continuing education courses for Optometrists at Australian College of Behavioral Optometry,
Northwestern Optometric Association, and at Southwestern Optometric Associations.
Professional Affiliations:
Dr. Prazer is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, American Optometric Association, Pennsylvania Optometric Association and the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society.
Dr. Nathan Steinhafel, M.S., O.D.
Dr. Steinhafel joined Pediatric and Adult Vision Care and Wexford Academy in 2010. He graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry with a Doctorate in Optometry and completed his residency specializing in Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry, where he also served as a clinical instructor. Dr. Steinhafel also holds a Master’s of Science degree in Physiology with an emphasis in Neurophysiology from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In addition to comprehensive eye exams, fitting contact lenses, and treating ocular disease for all ages, Dr. Steinhafel concentrates his practice specializing in pediatric eye care. This includes routine exams for infants and children, treating special populations (autism, cerebral palsy, down’s syndrome), examining those with learning disabilities or developmental delays, and treating infants through adults with strabismus, amblyopia (lazy eye), eye tracking problems, or other binocular vision related conditions. He also has specialized training in the area of neuro-optometry, examining and treating adults and children recovering from traumatic brain injury or neuro related eye conditions. He is currently an InfantSEE provider.
Dr. Steinhafel is a member of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), American Optometric Association (AOA), College of Optometry in Vision Development (COVD), the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, and the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Association.
In addition to comprehensive eye exams, fitting contact lenses, and treating ocular disease for all ages, Dr. Steinhafel concentrates his practice specializing in pediatric eye care. This includes routine exams for infants and children, treating special populations (autism, cerebral palsy, down’s syndrome), examining those with learning disabilities or developmental delays, and treating infants through adults with strabismus, amblyopia (lazy eye), eye tracking problems, or other binocular vision related conditions. He also has specialized training in the area of neuro-optometry, examining and treating adults and children recovering from traumatic brain injury or neuro related eye conditions. He is currently an InfantSEE provider.
Dr. Steinhafel is a member of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), American Optometric Association (AOA), College of Optometry in Vision Development (COVD), the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, and the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Association.
Vision Therapists
Maggie Cole, COVT-- Maggie joined Wexford Acadmey as a Vision Therapist in November of 2007. She graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Rehabilitative Sciences, and has had extensive training with Integrated Visual Learning techniques and was certified as an Optometric Vision Therapist in 2010 by the College of Vision Development.
Before joining Wexford Academy, she worked for a Christian Non-Profit Organization to provide transitional housing for homeless single parents. She helped them find support in areas such as permanent housing, employment, child care, and financial management. Now as a Vision Therapist, she loves to work with people of all ages to help them improve in many different areas of vision. She greatly enjoys being able to help people improve their visual skills and ultimately make life-altering changes.
Alicia Hunt, COVT- Alicia joined Wexford Academy as a Vision Therapist in December of 2007. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree in Disability Services along with a minor in Deaf Studies in August of 2006. Alicia is currently certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools in Nursery/Kindergarten and Special Education. Alicia also has extensive training in Integrated Visual Learning techniques and was certified as an Optometric Vision Therapist in 2010 by the College of Vision Development.
Before joining Wexford Academy, she worked for Head Start with children ages 3-5 in a preschool setting. Alicia also worked as a Therapeutic Support Staff, primarily with children diagnosed with Autism ranging from ages 2-13. Now as a Vision Therapist, she loves working with people of all abilities. WDA allows her to help students strengthen their visual skills and provide them with the opportunity for academic success.
Susie Balzer, COVT- Susie Balzer joined Wexford Academy as a Vision Therapist in March of 2008. She graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2006 with a bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor focus in Special Education. Susie also has extensive training in Integrated Visual Learning techniques and was certified as an Optometric Vision Therapist in 2010 by the College of Vision Development..
Before joining Wexford Academy, she worked at a residential treatment facility with at-risk youth. She provided the residents with therapeutic support and implemented individual service plans that emphasized good decision-making skills and positive self-esteem. Susie has a passion for helping others see their potential and enjoys being part of the process to get them there. Her role as a vision therapist allows her to impact the lives of others by supplying them with the tools to overcome their obstacles while having fun along the way.
Erica Durbin, COVT- Erica joined Wexford Academy in May of 2008, after five years of dedicated work for Eye Care Associates in Southport, CT. She is a graduate of Penn State University and The State University of New York. She was certified as an Optometric Vision Therapist in 2005 by the College of Vision Development.
A combined background of Psychology and a BA in English Literature helped prepare her for a career in which a rich understanding of science would help persons, young and old, acquire the necessary skills to read and learn. As a vision therapist, she is committed to helping each patient achieve success in therapy and in life.
Lois Karran – Lois joined Wexford Academy as a Vision Therapist in January of 2009. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelors degree in Education with a focus in Elementary Reading and Science. Lois then gained her Masters in Education from Slippery Rock University with an emphasis in Reading and was recognized as the top graduate student in her field. She is certified as a Reading Specialist (K-12), as well as in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Lois also has extensive training in Integrated Visual Learning techniques.
Before joining Wexford Academy, Lois taught at the Elementary level for more than ten years. Her interest in working with students that have reading difficulties led her to obtain a Master’s Degree and then train as a vision therapist with Dr. Prazer. Lois’ experience and training in reading remediation enables Wexford Academy to offer patients specialized reading intervention to follow or coincide with vision therapy.
110 VIP Drive Suite 101 Wexford, PA 15090 Phone: (724) 799-8313
