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Optometric Management

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CLINICAL: OPTICAL

EMBRACING INNOVATION

Optometric Management August 1, 2015
CLINICAL

  OPTICAL

EMBRACING INNOVATION

GET AHEAD BY BEING ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF BLUE LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS pride themselves on offering a “professional” environment, and point to the products they sell and the quality of the services they offer as examples. But, in order to remain competitive, independent O.D.s must constantly reinvent their practices and change the way eye care services and products are provided.

One obvious way to do that is through adopting innovation. However, many are slow to adapt to newer technologies, and, as a result, are forced to play catch up with their biggest competitors.

PLAYING CATCH UP

One prime example: Since its inception, the industry has used the simple PD stick as a way to measure lens parameters. Though there were many digital devices being developed to improve the accuracy of lens performance, it was retail optometry that led the way.

When your patients saw TV commercials utilizing this advanced digital technology to fit glasses, what do you think they thought when your optical staff brought out a PD stick at their next exam?

Instead of falling behind, let’s move together this time in the area of blue light and its potential impact on the development of AMD. Here’s how.

Into the Blue

Getting patients to comply with your recommendations is critical to your success, and patient education is key. To help get your patients on board, use this sample script:

    “Mrs. Jones, there is substantial scientific evidence that blue light emitted by the electronics you use every day, such as flat-panel TVs, computer monitors, tablets and smartphones, as well as the compact fluorescent light bulbs used in many light fixtures, is damaging to the retina, which can negatively affect your vision. In order to preserve your sight, I’m prescribing special lenses that will help protect your eyes from this harmful blue light.”

BLOCKING BLUE LIGHT

To review, harmful blue light, which is part of the visible light spectrum, reaches deeper into the eye, and its cumulative effect can cause damage to the retina. Today, exposure to blue light is everywhere and only increasing.

Your patients look to you for advice on the best ways to solve their vision problems and to protect their eyes. Given blue light’s affect on eye health, it is necessary to educate all your patients on its harmful effects and to have a conversation about wearing lenses that block harmful blue light — and before they hear it from the next TV commercial.

HAVING “THE TALK”

For example, as I make lens recommendations to my patients, I use a graphic that shows the electromagnetic spectrum and explain how the frequent use of LEDs in many electronic devices and, eventually, all lighting in their house, will increase their blue light exposure.

I discuss ways their lenses can protect their eyes by blocking some (or most) of the harmful blue light, which can help preserve their sight and potentially prevent AMD. This discussion is especially impactful with patients presenting with early macular pigmentary changes, as they are already at an increased risk for AMD.

GETTING OUT IN FRONT

It is important for private practitioners to drive innovation in eye care, whether it be the newest daily disposable bifocal contact lens or the latest spectacle lens treatment.

Let’s get out front this time on this important eye care development of blue light. OM

DAVE ZIEGLER, O.D., is a senior partner at Ziegler & Leffingwell Eyecare in Milwaukee, Wisc., and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Email him at daveaziegler@gmail.com, or visit tinyurl.com/OMcomment to comment.

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