The new year brings a contested FTC rule and numerous opportunities

In 2021, contact lenses can present optometrists with both challenges and exciting opportunities, as is clearly demonstrated by this, Optometric Management’s annual contact lens issue. Impacting practices and patient safety, the Contact Lens Rule poses one such challenge. Congress and organizations such as The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) have criticized the new rule, which was updated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year, because it does not eliminate the use of robocalls for prescription verification and places additional costly paperwork requirements on patients and providers. Dr. Jason Compton details provider requirements in “Prepare for the New Contact Lens Rule” (p.16). At press time, Congress directed the FTC to delay the implementation of the new rule until March 31, and the APS, whose partners include the AOA and several contact lens manufacturers, continue the fight for remedies. As Dr. Compton notes, “This is not over.”

PLANNING FOR CONTACT LENS SUCCESS

Facing competition from various contact lens sellers can be challenging, however, in “Keep Contact Lens Sales” (p.20), Dr. Carmen Castellano presents an opportunity: 10 steps to increase the probability patients will purchase their contact lenses from your practice.

Dr. Pamela A. Lowe explains that prescribing advanced multifocal lenses is “opportunity knocking” for both patients and the practice. Read more in her article, “Focus on Fitting Multifocals” (p.24).

Fitting scleral lenses can challenge “even the most experienced practitioner,” writes Dr. Micaela Crowley in “Equip Your Scleral Lens Clinic for Success” (p.30). In her article, Dr. Crowley presents technologies to help O.D.s achieve clear, comfortable vision for patients who wear scleral lenses.

In the “Contact Lens” column (p.40), Dr. Mark Bullimore uses data and research to answer, “Are contact lenses safe for my child?” As Dr. Bullimore explains: “The increased interest in myopia control has elevated the numbers of children who are candidates for lens wear.”

In her “Dry Eye” column (p.42), Dr. Cecelia Koetting offers three steps to managing dry eye in contact lens patients — a missed opportunity that would enable these patients to continue contact lens wear.

As we begin 2021, OM wishes you health and success in meeting your practice challenges and taking advantage of all your opportunities. OM