Opportunity knocks with this month’s issue of Optometric Management, as we present our final installment in this year’s “Practicing Medical Optometry” (PMO) series. With a focus on management of AMD and retina conditions, this PMO suggests a number of patient care and practice benefits, not the least of which is serving the growing population of older patients.

Fittingly, the October PMO begins with the article, “Make Your Practice Senior Friendly," by Dr. Kevin Henne, who provides action steps to address the senior patient’s needs, including accessibility, safety, and communication. These patients “deserve our best efforts in providing them with quality care in a safe and inviting environment,” notes Dr. Henne.

MORE ON AMD AND RETINA

This month’s PMO also stresses the importance of early AMD detection, a key to controlling the disease and preserving vision, which can “significantly impact the quality of someone’s vision and life,” writes Dr. Amanda S. Legge in “Care for the Dry AMD Patient." Dr. Legge presents steps to diagnose AMD and manage patients effectively.

The quality of life theme recurs in our low vision coverage. When patients lose vision, too often they hear that “nothing more can be done,” yet there are a number of low vision devices that can help patients perform tasks that are important to them, notes Dr. Richard J. Shuldiner in “What’s Available for Patients Who Have Vision Loss."

Recent imaging technologies allow clinicians to more easily identify conditions on the periphery of the retina. Drs. Jessica Haynes, Rachael Wruble, and Kevin L. Gee share their firsthand experiences with these devices in “How Widefield Imaging Helps Identify Peripheral Conditions." In addition, the article “Consider Fundus Autofluorescence for Evaluating the Retina." by Drs. Nick Fogt and J.P. Maszczak, presents case studies that demonstrate the value of FAF images in indicating AMD and other retinal conditions.

Let me also invite you to explore our regular coverage, which includes glaucoma, dry eye, contact lenses, optical, business, leadership, and more. As they do in each issue, our contributors share their expert insights on how to achieve success in clinical outcomes, the patient experience, and the management of an optometric practice. OM