A Tribute to Melvin Kaplan, OD, FCOVD

Abstract

which, in turn, affects behavior and influences how one performs in social, academic, and vocational surroundings.” 4 Other clinicians using yoked prism procedures, such as Robert Kraskin, preferred a disruptive approach. Mel taught that yoked prisms might improve function such that a patient’s performance improved immediately. His technique engaged patients who were nonverbal and/or multiply chal­ lenged, improving their overall function. Mel taught that optometrists needed to look at the patient in front of them from a functional performance approach and emphasized the importance of objective findings for all of us. “I do not view people with various disabilities as different. I look at them as having different levels of visual performance … the question is not of labels, but of levels of performance.” 4