Dr. Efrain Castellanos, WCO Membership Committee Chair
Dr. Castellanos graduated with honors from Xochicalco University School of Optometry in 2003. He started Centro de Desarrollo Visual, an optometry practice focused in specialty services including Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation, Low vision, and Specialty contact lens fitting.
He obtained his Fellowship from the College of Optometrist in Vision Development in 2004 (COVD). He completed a Diplomate in Specialization in Vision and Development in 2006, earned a master degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2008 and a PhD in education in 2017 where he graduated with honors.
Dr. Castellanos has served many leadership role positions including President of the College of Optometry in his Alma mater, president of the Baja California Optometric Association, President of the Mexican Council of Behavioral Optometry, Chair of Community affairs for the Inland Empire Optometric Association, Chair Interinstitutional and International affairs for the Mexican Association of Faculties School, Colleges and Councils of Optometry (AMFECCO) and he is the past president of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO).
He has been an optometric educator for 16 years in different disciplines with an emphasis in Pediatrics, Binocular Vision, Vision Therapy, Low Vision and Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation.
Dr. Castellanos has presented more than 50 lectures in national and international optometry congresses and has over 20 publications.
He is currently full time faculty at Western University College of Optometry where he serves as coordinator for Third-year clinical education and the Clerkship Clinical education program.
He has experience in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation and certification. He is currently a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Mexican Council for Accreditation in Optometry (COMACEO).
He is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Academy of Optometry (AAO), American Optometric Association (AOA), California Optometric Association (COA), Inland Empire Optometric Society (IEOS), College Of Optometrist in Vision Development (COVD), Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF), Mexican Association of Faculties School, Colleges and Councils of Optometry (AMFECCO), and Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). Dr. Castellanos currently serves on WCO’s Board of Directors as the Membership Committee Chair.