Meet the Doctor

Dr. Conley

Neuro Optometrist

Alex Conley, OD, FOVDRA, is a Texas Board of Optometry certified therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association, the InfantSee Public Health Program, and A Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association.

1991-2001

I started my educational path way back in 1991 when I first attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School for my first day of kindergarten. Fast forward to 2001, it was the first day of high school. I was small for my class, THE smallest of my class. I was a target right from the start. Over the summer I got the worst thing that could happen to a teenager, glasses. Oh the horror, to have to depend on these manufactured spectacles just so I can see clearly. Well that first day an old classmate of mine had a locker right next to me. Me being so small, he decided that I was an easy target. He sized up and pushed me into my locker. My head slammed directly into that tan sheet of metal and consequently broke my first pair of glasses. The fiend was not remorseful. The following period I saw him by the locker through my blurry vision. I saw my opportunity. When I was directly behind him, I came at him with all my might and slammed him into his locker, denting the door. He looked down at me quite surprised. And then bellowed out, "you're alright Conley," We have been friends ever since. I didn't know it then, but this experience made me develop a new empathy for people that are dependent on glasses.

2006

Fast forward to late adolescence, there I was, the first day of college.... real college. A four year degree college at Wichita State University, the Shockers! I finally decided what my major would be, Biology with an emphasis on BioMedical technology.

2010

Graduating in the spring of 2010; I still had no plan of what I wanted to do for my career, or even for my life. There I was, on the doorstep of eternity with no plan, no girlfriend, no life, no future. I decided I was going to start shadowing different professions. Next on my list was a local eye doctor. Dr Patrick Pirotte of Child and Family Eyecare in Wichita KS. He specialized in Vision Therapy. I, at the time, had never heard of such a thing. The first patient he let me sit in on was a 10 year old boy who has never had an eye exam. He was recently diagnosed with ADHD. He was becoming disruptive during class, avoiding reading assignments, lashing out in class. The parents were concerned about the initial diagnosis of ADHD and wanted a second opinion. Dr Pirotte reviewed the case history, did one simple test and he had his answer on what was causing the little boy so much trouble. The biggest impact was he took the time to show and explain what was wrong with his vision and how his vision could have such a strong negative impact on the boys life. The parents signed their son up for therapy. Over the course of a few months, I was shadowing Dr Pirotte, finding out all the little details and quirks about optometrists. And just my luck I happened to be there when the little boy came back for his follow up appointment after completing vision therapy. He was a totally different kid according to his parents. He enjoyed reading, he jumped up 10 reading levels! He was no longer disruptive in class, his grades were improving. That is where I found my calling.

2012

I wanted to surround myself around a totally different culture and lifestyle; so I decided to go to Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. A lot of people wondered why I choose to go to a school so far away and not on the mainland of the United States, and I tell them, life is an adventure, if you aren't taking risks you really aren't living. I wanted to learn Spanish, and what better way to stress myself out is learn Spanish and become an eye doctor. Also it is the only school that is not regionally limited on the students they accept. And no I did not get to the beach that much, still haven't gotten that tan i wanted. I graduated with my doctorate in optometry in 2016.

2016-2017

I completed my residency at North Eastern State University, Oklahoma college of optometry. I studied family practice with an emphasis on ocular disease and vision therapy.

2017

After completing my residency in 2017, I moved to North Fort Worth to continue working in the neuro optometry field. I worked part time at three different practices that provided vision rehabilitation, which gave me an opportunity to work with many different types of diagnoses and patients. I think the one thing that surprised me most when I started working in this field was how much neglect the people who have suffered a stroke or concussion have received from the optometry profession. Serving the older population was never my intention, since I have always been one who associated vision therapy with kids. However, when I started seeing the older patients who have had severe visual problems similar to the kids I have evaluated, I knew there was more to be done for those adults. I really enjoy seeing the spread of ages diversity. I like doing the therapy with the 6-9 years age group, then having to act cool for the teenagers, then being able to recount childhood tv shows with the middle age patients. Finally, I enjoy being able to hear the stories of the elderly and this is done while we are doing therapy to improve their vision and their lifestyle

2019-Present

I was blessed to find business partners that have a similar passion for people and addressing the neglect that exists in the fields of neurological and binocular vision disorders. Our goal is to do the best we can to help all our patients or set them on the right path to a better quality of life. We recognize vision therapy is an investment of funds and time, so we have developed the practice to offer multiple options to assist with and lessen these burdens. As we grow, we plan to continue to expand these options to further meet patients’ needs. I am also in the process of completing my fellowship certification with the College of Optometrists and Vision Development to further my expertise. I am excited for what the future holds and I am happy that I get to do what I love…helping you see and enjoy the world!