The ‘PMOs’ were designed to put practical information at your fingertips

How do you effectively manage information overload? Apps, social media, websites and any number of sources deliver an unending stream of information that includes everything from research to celebrity gossip. To glean what’s useful, experts often recommend an approach that includes actively focusing your attention on specific subjects and connecting similar ideas.

THE ‘PMO’ FOCUS

This year, Optometric Management has taken a similar approach to information with our “Practicing Medical Optometry” (PMO) series. Each installment focuses on a specific subject — glaucoma (February), AMD (May) and dry eye (June). The sections then connect the pieces of the management puzzle, from diagnosis through to follow-up care.

This month, our final PMO of the year focuses on cataract care. Marc Bloomenstein, O.D., F.A.A.O., the guest editor of this month’s section, explains why cataracts might not be bad news for the patient: Today’s IOLs “can restore your ability to see like you did when you were younger.” (See “This Cloud Has a Silver Lining,” p.15.)

One of the keys to successful pre-operative care is to set the patient’s expectations, writes Sondra Black, O.D., in “Pre-Operative Cataract Care,” p.17. Dr. Black lists items to address, including cataract status, desired vision, ocular health and complications.

In “Post-Operative Cataract Care” (see p.20), David Geffen, O.D., F.A.A.O., describes the post-op visit, beginning with one-day post-op. Dr. Geffen’s article includes information on what to expect at each post-op visit, along with steps for managing possible complications.

Eric Schmidt, O.D., discusses the “shared, collaborative care of a mutual patient between two doctors” in “Co-Management: A How-to Guide” (p.23). Specifically, he tackles a number of critical practice management topics, including employing the correct fee structure.

Our goal in publishing the PMO series is to help all practices take advantage of new opportunities. As William Reynolds, O.D., AOA vice president, says in “O.D. Scene” (p.42), “Practice to the fullest extent of your licenses regardless of where you practice. Full-scope optometry is our future.” OM