We are indispensible because we are human

When I think back to the technology available when I was in optometry school in the early 1990s, I am so happy for optometrists today. Don’t get me wrong, we did a great job back then — it just required so much effort and energy, and I don’t know that I ever felt as confident then as I do now in my results.

Today, with the power of widefield retinal imaging, OCT-A, VFs, corneal hysteresis, topography, biometry, auto-refraction (that is actually accurate), digital lensometry, automated pupil and color vision testing, eye alignment measurement devices, and anterior segment/slit lamp cameras, among other vital technologies, we can pretty much understand what is going on with our patients, even before we step into the exam room.

A MUST-HAVE

Technology is a necessity because it improves our accuracy and, at the same time, increases our efficiencies. The result is that we are able to give patients back more of their time, and give ourselves more time to help more people.

So, technology is a must, but only as an assist. Why? Because technology will never fully understand the patient's wants and needs, as patients try to explain what is happening to them, often without knowing what words to choose.

What we do everyday is listen for what isn’t being said. We collect data, information, and images, and then put it all together to provide our patients with our expert analysis of what they need. We solve their problems and provide them with the best vision for a lifetime. We are indispensable because we have the ability to be human. We excel at empathizing, educating, and encouraging our patients to do what they need to do to keep their vision clear and their eyes healthy. And, sometimes, we even save their lives.

TAKE CARE OF YOU

Many of you tell me you are busier today than ever before. I am happy for you, yet I would encourage you to remember: You must take care of you. Don’t get overwhelmed with keeping busy to the point where you lose your motivation to be awesome. Do an analysis today to see where technology can make life simpler for your team and improve your problem-solving skills. Add technology where it will give back time to you and your patients, and, at the same time, create a great experience in your practice.

Don’t look at a technology's return on investment by evaluating only what you can bill the insurance, but also by looking at how it brings value to your patients and efficiencies to your practice.

THE HAPPIEST OPTOMETRISTS

The happiest optometrists I know have taken the time to list their biggest challenges, then brainstorm with colleagues to come up with solutions, and finally, implement strategies that often involve technology that allows them to get back to what they love most, which is taking care of their patients.

Embrace technology for what it does best, and that is assist! OM

Email: april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement