Laura A. Bequette, OD, OT-RL

Optometrist

Dr. Laura A. Bequette is an Optometrist in Festus, MO with special training and skill in examining eyes for both vision and health problems, and correcting refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as providing low vision care and vision therapy. As an Optometrist, Laura A. Bequette, OD, OT-RL performs eye exams to detect any vision problems or diseases; requires testing visual acuity, depth, and color perception, as well as the ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. Optometry is the practice or profession of examining the eyes for visual defects and prescribing corrective lenses. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Optometrists include conjunctivitis, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Optometrists include visual acuity test, color blindness test, cover test, eye movement test, depth perception test, retinoscopy, refraction test, as well as autorefractor and abberrometer prescription estimate.

Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice. Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.

Occupational Therapist

Dr. Laura A. Bequette is an Occupational Therapist in Festus, MO with special training and skill in holistically treating injured, ill, or disabled patients through therapeutic activities that help them develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. As an Occupational Therapist, Laura A. Bequette, OD, OT-RL performs rehabilitation of patients with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy is physiological treatment of patients recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Occupational Therapists include work related upper extremity injuries, amputees and people with special prosthetics, stroke or heart attack victims, arthritis, multiple sclerosis or permanent disabilities patients, patients with head injuries and mental disabilities, severe burn and spinal cord trauma patients. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Occupational Therapists include individualized evaluation to determine the patient's goals; customized intervention to improve the patient's ability to perform daily activities, and outcome evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or intervention plan adjusted.

An occupational therapist is a person who has graduated from an entry-level occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations, or approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), or an equivalent international occupational therapy education program; has successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the occupational therapy program; has passed a nationally recognized entry-level examination for occupational therapists, and fulfills state requirements for licensure, certification, or registration. An occupational therapist provides interventions based on evaluation and which emphasize the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (i.e., occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of facilitating participation in roles and situations and in home, school, workplace, community and other settings. Occupational therapy services are provided for the purpose of promoting health and wellness and are provided to those who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction. Occupational therapists address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of occupational performance in a variety of contexts to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life.