CLINICAL

  NUTRITION

CREATE A NUTRITION NICHE

HELP PATIENTS MAKE BETTER EVERYDAY CHOICES WITH THESE FOUR TIPS

LAURIE CAPOGNA, O.D.

I BECAME inspired to create a practice that focuses on prevention and patient education after practicing for more than a decade in an office where nutrition was discussed only after an eye disease diagnosis. As more patients presented with disease, it became clear that a focus on ocular nutrition, beyond prescribing supplements, was needed to provide complete preventative eye care — something I believe is our duty as primary eye care providers.

Here are four simple strategies to integrate nutrition into a busy practice.

1 MAKE STAFF AWARE

Engage your team by providing education about the connection between nutrition and ocular health. (Visit eye-foods.blogspot.ca.) You want them to understand that the eye uses nutrients, such as lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C, for optimal ocular health and vision. Armed with this education, they become empowered to share it with patients.

2 USE PATIENT TOUCH POINTS

Deliver the ocular nutrition message in your patient lounge by creating an eye health library from which your patients can borrow. In your exam rooms, post nutrition-themed educational posters or counter cards. Next, merchandise your nutritional products, such as omega-3 fatty acids, AMD prevention supplements and accessories, such as tea and water infusers, in your optical. Make displays eye-catching, uncluttered and — most of all — creative.

Nutrition-themed education posters can make an impact.

3 PROVIDE NUTRITION PLANS

Create personalized nutrition plans (food, supplement and lifestyle recommendations) for your patients by establishing the baseline nutritional status and current ocular health and risk factors, such as smoking, for eye disease. To accomplish this, ask, via the history form:

• How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat per day?

• Do you consume leafy greens, orange peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, green beans and peas?

• How many servings of fish (not fried) do you eat per week?

• What vitamins and supplements do you take?

• How many hours per week do you engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity?

You could even offer an ocular nutrition exam, which includes macular pigment optical density measurement and contrast sensitivity VA testing.

4 COUNSEL PATIENTS

Discussing nutrition and lifestyle with your patients leads to counseling about other preventative measures, such as blue light and UV protection. For patient counseling to be effective and efficient, use repetition by creating written or electronic “prescriptions” that include food, exercise and supplements, and send patients friendly emails or phone calls two to three weeks after their visit to review.

OUR ROLE

Don’t wait until disease presents to implement a nutrition plan. Instead, provide your patients with the knowledge necessary to make better everyday choices that will help them achieve optimal ocular health. OM

DR.CAPOGNA is an active partner in Peninsula Vision Associates and operates a low vision clinic. In addition, she is a member of the Ocular Nutrition Society and co-author of “Eyefoods: A Food Plan for Healthy Eyes” and “Eyefoods for Kids: A Tasty Guide to Nutrition and Eye Health.” E-mail lcapogna@cogeco.ca, or send comments to optometricmanagement@gmail.com.