With allergy season in full bloom, it’s a good time to remind patients that an OD can provide them with relief from allergic conjunctivitis. That said, “they don’t see it as an eye doctor problem,” says Glenn S. Corbin, OD, of Wyomissing Optometric Center, Wyomissing, Pa.

In this article, Dr. Corbin and two fellow optometrists – Patricia Fulmer, OD, of Legacy Vision Center, Huntsville, Ala., and Whitney Jensen, OD, of Jensen Optometrists, Grinnell, Iowa, — share how they promote their allergy-relief services.

1 ASK ABOUT ALLERGIES

Since most allergies are seasonal, patients typically won’t think about them if their annual optometry visit is off their allergy season, explains Dr. Corbin. This is why taking an accurate patient history and asking about seasonal allergies (and eye involvement in those allergies) is important, he continues. After noting their allergies, Dr. Corbin says he talks about what allergy medications he can prescribe. Recently, he says, this action step worked in enabling him to prescribe a stronger allergy relief medication to a patient who was using a less-effective OTC treatment. Dr. Corbin says the patient wasn’t aware this was a service Dr. Corbin could provide until Dr. Corbin mentioned it.

2 USE THE PRACTICE WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Dr. Fulmer says her practice promotes ocular allergy services online, both on her practice’s website and social media pages. “We make sure to include on our website ‘eye allergies’ as a service we offer, along with a short, layman’s description of what ocular allergy means. We also provide a longer blog post that contains more information, such as how to reduce and treat allergy symptoms,” she explains. On social media, her practice shares posts about allergies, with recommendations for readers to visit to be diagnosed and treated properly.

3 CULTIVATE LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS

Dr. Jensen’s says her practice has worked hard to develop relationships with local health care providers; she receives a lot of referrals from them as a result. “This has increased awareness that optometrists can diagnose, treat and manage conditions, such as allergies, and builds rapport within our patient’s health care team,” she says.

A WIN-WIN

“When a patient understands their condition and how we can help, he or she is likely to tell friends or family and recommend your care,” stresses Dr. Fulmer. “Word-of-mouth [referrals] will always be the most impactful way of educating the public,” she says. OM