INFORM YOUR PATIENTS OF ALL THEIR REFRACTIVE OPTIONS, INCLUDING SURGERY

ONE OF the challenges our profession has is staying current on all the medications, products and devices constantly produced, released, marketed, etc.

This issue of OM facilitates your awareness of the latest refractive options.

THREE OPTIONS

Let me start with the basic fact that it is our responsibility to present three refractive options to each and every one of our patients. These options include (1) contact lenses, (2) ophthalmic lenses and (3) refractive surgery.

In regard to the last option, refractive surgery has undergone significant change in the last decade. Specifically, our patients now have access to some pretty incredible technologies in this realm.

PRESBYOPIA, AS AN EXAMPLE

For our presbyopic patients, for example, standard IOLs are available to correct spherical refractive error. In addition, a variety of toric IOLs are accessible. Even more exciting are the advances in multifocal IOLs and the new extended depth of focus IOLs that allow these patients to enjoy significant visual improvements.

Further, as Dr. Cecelia Koetting explains in her article, “Present Surgical Options to Patients,” p.20, new technologies for the emmetropic presbyopic market are now available.

OUR ROLE

As optometrists, it is our duty and responsibility to advocate for our patients. We must sort through all the options, and help our patients make informed decisions about which of the various options are best suited for their personality, lifestyle and refractive status — in that order.

If we fail to educate our patients about their refractive options and what is best for them, we run the risk they will find out about all their options from social media, their friends or — worse yet — slick marketing campaigns. The net results are not just lost patients but, more importantly, patients with less than optimal outcomes.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE

I challenge everyone reading this column to continue past this page, so you can familiarize yourselves with the refractive surgery options available today. OM.