college of syntonic optometry

What college of syntonic optometry does

The College of Syntonic Optometry (CSO) is a US-domiciled nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1933 by Dr. Harry Riley Spitler to promote education and research in optometric phototherapy, known as Syntonics — the clinical application of selected light frequencies through the eyes to treat visual dysfunctions such as strabismus, amblyopia, focusing and convergence problems, learning disorders, and stress and trauma aftereffects. CSO operates a structured postgraduate educational portfolio: the introductory Syntonic Phototherapy 101 course, the advanced Syntonic Phototherapy 201 course, a multi-year Fellowship Program that culminates in the FCSO credential, the annual International Conference on Light and Vision (now in its 94th year), the Journal of Optometric Phototherapy, the CSO Library of clinical research, and the foundational text "The Syntonic Principle." It also maintains a Practitioner Locator tool that drives patient referrals to member optometrists and vision therapists.

CSO monetizes primarily through annual membership subscriptions (Doctor Member US $200, Doctor Member International $150, Vision Therapist $100, Sponsor $250, Retired Doctor $100, with free optometry student membership), pay-as-you-go registration fees for courses and the annual conference (ranging from $325 for a single Therapist 201 module to $1,535 for a combined Doctor 101 plus Conference package), and small-ticket merchandise including the Spitler textbook at $25 and patient-education brochures at $24. Its go-to-market is sales-led and community-driven, anchored by the annual conference, a practitioner directory, and cross-referrals with peer associations such as NORA, OEPF, OVDRA, BOAF, SIODEC, and the International Light Association. Leadership is volunteer-based — President Brenda Montecalvo, Vice President Clifford Fukushima, and an officer/trustee slate drawn from practicing clinicians — and operations appear to run with minimal paid staff, evidenced by a P.O. Box mailing address in Cedarville, Ohio and a Gmail contact email. CSO positions itself as the central credentialing and knowledge body for an esoteric optometric sub-discipline, with documented practitioner presence across North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Name

college of syntonic optometry

Legal name

College of Syntonic Optometry

Website

https://csovision.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The College of Syntonic Optometry is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1933 that delivers postgraduate education, certification, and training in optometric phototherapy (Syntonics) to optometrists, vision therapists, and patients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optometric Continuing Education

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Optometry (EDAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Optometric phototherapy
• Continuing optometry education
• Vision therapy training
• Syntonics fellowship
• Light therapy certification

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers: Doctor Member US ($200), Doctor Member International ($150), First Time Doctor ($150), Retired Doctor ($100), Vision Therapist ($100), Sponsor ($250). Benefits include practitioner listing, library access, conference discounts, newsletters, and mentorship program.
2. Educational Courses and Conferences: Revenue from Syntonic Phototherapy 101 and 201 courses, plus annual International Conference on Light and Vision. Registration fees range from $325 to $1,535 depending on course selection and membership status.
3. Product Sales (CSO Store): Sale of educational materials including The Syntonic Principle book ($25) and Light Therapy Brochures ($24).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The College of Syntonic Optometry provides postgraduate education, fellowship certification, and membership services in optometric phototherapy (Syntonics), the clinical application of selected light frequencies through the eyes to treat visual dysfunctions such as strabismus, amblyopia, focusing/convergence problems, learning disorders, and stress/trauma aftereffects. Its core deliverables are the Syntonic Phototherapy 101 and 201 courses, the annual International Conference on Light and Vision, multi-tiered professional membership, the Fellowship credentialing program, the CSO Library research archive, and patient/practitioner publications.

Product overview

The College of Syntonic Optometry is a post-graduate educational organization that offers a structured portfolio of products and services centered on optometric phototherapy. The core offerings include educational courses (Syntonic Phototherapy 101 as the foundational course and Syntonic Phototherapy 201 as the advanced course), professional publications (The Syntonic Principle book by Harry Riley Spitler, the Journal of Optometric Phototherapy, and patient education brochures), a Fellowship Program for professional advancement, the CSO Library (members-only research repository), a Practitioner Locator tool, and the annual International Conference on Light and Vision. The organization also offers various membership levels (Doctor Member, Vision Therapist Member, Sponsor) that provide access to these resources and benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Syntonic Phototherapy 101 Course Two-day introductory course providing practical and theoretical education in optometric syntonic phototherapy, covering history, basic concepts, pupil assessment, functional visual field assessment, case syndromes, and a hands-on workshop. Designed for optometrists and vision therapists seeking foundational training in light therapy.
• Syntonic Phototherapy 201 Course Advanced one-day course providing in-depth topics on the use of syntonics in clinical settings, designed for practitioners who have completed Syntonic Phototherapy 101.
• Fellowship Program (FCSO) Professional advancement program conferring the Fellow of the College of Syntonic Optometry (FCSO) credential. Requires three years of CSO membership, completion of Syntonic Phototherapy 101 and 201 courses, attendance at three annual meetings, submission of three optometric phototherapy case studies, and passing an oral examination. Candidates have up to 5 years to complete requirements.
• International Conference on Light and Vision Annual conference featuring basic and advanced Syntonic Phototherapy courses as well as presentations by scientists and clinicians from related fields. Held at rotating U.S. locations (e.g., 93rd in Virginia Beach May 2026; 94th in San Diego October 14-16, 2027).
• CSO Membership Program Tiered annual membership program providing practitioner listing, library access, conference discounts, newsletters, and mentorship program participation. Tiers include Doctor Member US ($200), Doctor Member International ($150), First Time Doctor ($150), Retired Doctor ($100), Vision Therapist ($100), and Sponsor ($250). Optometry students receive free membership.
• Light Therapy Brochures (100 pack) Patient education material pack of 100 brochures covering vision enhancement for school, work, and sports, sold through the CSO Store for use by member practitioners.
• The Syntonic Principle (Book) Foundational text authored by Harry Riley Spitler, D.O.S., M.D., M.S., Ph.D., originally published in 1941, covering the relationship between light, color, health, and ocular problems. Sold in the CSO Store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90.7% positive response rate to syntonic treatment based on 3067 individuals studied
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA)minorOthersRelated organization of eye care professionals providing vision therapy services. CSO links to OVDRA website as a resource for patients and practitioners interested in vision development and rehabilitation.
• Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)minorOthersOrganization dedicated to vision rehabilitation of brain injured and low vision patients. CSO references NORA as a related professional association in the vision therapy field.
• Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF)minorOthersInternational organization dedicated to advancing optometry through gathering and disseminating information on vision and the visual process. Referenced as a foundational resource in syntonic diagnostic workup.
• Behavioral Optometry Academy Foundation (BOAF)minorOthersEuropean organization providing post-graduate seminars and workshops for spreading awareness about behavioral optometry.
• Sociedad Internacional de Optometría del Desarrollo y Comportamiento (SIODEC)minorOthersInternational association of optometrists working under the behavioral philosophy, dedicated to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of visual problems. Listed as related international organization.
• International Light AssociationminorOthersCollaborative group of light and color therapy practitioners, health professionals, artists, scientists and educators dedicated to disseminating information and promoting research in light therapies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD): Professional optometric organization offering post-graduate education, fellowship credentials, and an annual meeting in vision therapy and developmental optometry. Closely comparable to CSO in mission, membership model, and educational portfolio, though broader in clinical scope.
• Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF): International optometric educational organization providing clinical curriculum, courses, and archived materials on functional/behavioral vision. CSO itself lists OEPF as a foundational resource, confirming direct comparability in advancing optometric clinical practice through education.
• Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA): Professional membership organization offering certification and continuing education for optometrists treating brain-injury and neurological vision conditions. Overlaps with CSO in neuro-vision and rehabilitation caseloads treated with syntonic phototherapy.
• Behavioral Optometry Academy Foundation (BOAF): European organization providing post-graduate seminars and workshops in behavioral optometry. Comparable to CSO as a regional optometric education society targeting clinical specialty training for practicing optometrists.

Broad incumbents

• American Academy of Optometry (AAO): Large, mainstream optometric professional body offering fellowship (FAAO), annual meeting, and continuing education across the full optometric scope. Comparable to CSO as a credentialing and education provider, but operates at much broader scale and includes all optometric specialties.
• American Optometric Association (AOA): National professional association for optometrists in the United States providing advocacy, education, and clinical resources. AOA's Brain Injury Manual was co-authored by CSO's president, evidencing overlap in clinical education, though AOA is vastly larger in scope and membership.

Regional players

• SIODEC (Sociedad Internacional de Optometría del Desarrollo y Comportamiento): International (Spanish-language) association of optometrists working under the behavioral philosophy. Listed by CSO as a related international organization, with overlapping clinical philosophy but primary regional focus in Spanish-speaking markets.

Emerging players

• International Light Association (ILA): Collaborative group of light and color therapy practitioners, health professionals, and educators promoting research in light therapies. Overlaps with CSO's interest in light therapy applications, but from a broader complementary-medicine perspective rather than optometry-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CollegeofSyntonicOptometry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/college-of-syntonic-optometry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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