TODAY, MANAGING AMD IS ‘ONE OF OPTOMETRY’S BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES’

MY FATHER WAS DIAGNOSED with AMD years before the first anti-VEGF therapy was approved. As a family, we were fortunate to have a network of health care professionals, friends and volunteers to support him and us. It seemed that each day, our network offered a new sight-assisting idea (e.g., apply bright nail polish to make items, such as the television remote, easier to see). Yet there were moments of frustration: We understood there were no treatments that could stop the progression of the disease that severely impacted Dad’s quality of life.

A BRIGHTER PROGNOSIS FOR AMD PATIENTS

This month, Optometric Management focuses on AMD in our second installment of the “Practicing Medical Optometry” (PMO) series. The prognosis for patients with AMD is much brighter than it was in my father’s time two decades ago. Many patients can now maintain their vision, and as innovation in eye care continues, one can assume more and more patients will be helped.

Today, the key to helping patients who suffer from AMD is, “identifying them early and following them closely throughout their prescribed interventions,” writes Steven Ferrucci, O.D., F.A.A.O., in his introduction to the “PMO” section, which begins on p.13.

In “Diagnose AMD With Technology” (p.16), Jessica Steen, O.D., F.A.A.O., echoes the call for early detection. She notes that diagnostic technology, “does aid in the early identification of non-exudative and exudative AMD, helping us to determine the best course of action.”

Jay M. Haynie, O.D., F.A.A.O., discusses courses of action in “Managing AMD” (p.21). Dr. Haynie provides two management plans — one for patients who have non-exudative AMD and one for those who have exudative AMD.

In “AMD: Create a Center of Excellence” (p.26), Pamela A. Lowe, O.D., F.A.A.O., cites three key strategies to create an AMD center of excellence: identify who is at risk, invest in technology and educate doctors, staff and patients alike. “AMD is one of optometry’s biggest opportunities to impact patients’ lives positively,” she writes.

We invite you to explore this opportunity. OM