CLINICAL

  CONTACT LENSES

THE MISSING CL LINK

USE TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND DECREASE DROPOUT

KEEPING YOUR contact lens wearers happy and healthy in their lenses is no easy task. There are a number of clinical complications associated with contact lens wear, including contact lens abuse, ocular surface disease and a multitude of other issues, that can lead to dropout.

When it comes to improving the outcomes of contact lens wearers, the use of technology can be the missing link to both identifying problems and increasing patient compliance.

Here, I explain.

IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS

A healthy ocular surface starts with the eyelids and corneal surface. There are many technologies available to help identify ocular surface problems, such as dry eye disease. These include tear osmolarity tests and meibomian gland imaging, among others. In addition, technologies, such as a corneal topographer, anterior segment camera or even a smartphone, enable you to “see” the clinical problem, aiding you in diagnosis and treatment decisions. These technologies may reveal an unexpected issue, such as an irregular cornea, thus making it difficult to fit a standard contact lens. The treatment would vary depending on the outcome of these tests.

Technology in Action

E.C., a 49-year-old female patient, presented for a comprehensive eye exam and update on her monthly disposable multifocal contact lenses. She had been experiencing multiple comfort issues with her current contact lens wear. Biomicroscopy with fluorescein and lissamine green staining revealed Grade 2+/3 ocular surface disease OU. When presenting her results, I used the image (above), which revealed her corneal keratitis and rapid tear film breakup time. Seeing the problem firsthand, the patient better understood her condition and the need to comply with the prescribed treatment and change to a different contact lens in order to get back into wear as soon as possible. After treating her condition medically and stabilizing her tear film, she has returned to successful contact lens wear in a new daily disposable multifocal design.

IMPROVING COMPLIANCE

Technology also enhances patients’ understanding of their condition. When they can see the outcome of the test, there is a higher level of understanding from the patient’s perspective. And, the more patients know about their condition, the more likely they are to comply with your treatment recommendations. For example, taking a photo and showing it to the patient helps with patient education and treatment follow-through. (See “Technology in Action,” above.)

A GOOD INVESTMENT

Today’s technological advancements provide many opportunities to develop a strong medical model for identifying problems associated with contact lens wear. Investing in these technologies can enhance the quality of care you provide, which, in turn, can help to increase the number of satisfied patients and patient retention rates, decrease contact lens dropout and improve the long-term outcomes of your contact lens patients. OM

JASON R. MILLER, O.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O., is a partner at Eyecare Professionals of Powell, in Powell, Ohio, a member of Vision Source, and is an adjunct faculty member for The Ohio State University College of Optometry. To comment on this article, visit tinyurl.com/OMcomment.