WELCOME TO THE DIABETES ISSUE
Compiled here are practical tips from a few of the articles that appear in this issue of Optometric Management.
TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO PROTECT DIABETIC PATIENTS FROM COVID-19
While it’s important to make sure all your patients are safe, diabetic patients are at greater risk of poor health outcomes related to COVID-19 and therefore, extra caution should be taken around them, writes Dr. A. Paul Chous. Around such patients, staff should use masks, rooms should be ventilated, and social distancing should be in effect; encourage such patients to take these precautions outside the practice as well.
“Consider COVID-19’s Affect on Diabetes"
EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR A TEST
Explanations of procedures before they start can help reduce patient stress, writes Dr. Steve Ferrucci. When first explaining the need for diagnostic testing, he says to patients: “Even if your vision is good, that doesn’t mean your eyes are healthy. It’s not uncommon to see patients who have 20/20 vision despite having an advanced disease,” which is why yearly exams are important for patients with diabetes.
“Decrease Patient Stress During Diagnostic Testing"
SET A HEALTHY EXAMPLE IN YOUR OFFICE
It’s important to encourage diabetic patients to adopt healthy habits, and ODs can set a good example of this in their practices, writes Dr. Laurie Capogna. “For example, consider encouraging healthy snacks, (such as apples, orange peppers, or hummus), and designate a wellness room in your office where staff can do light physical activity,” she writes.
“How Nutrition and Lifestyle Affect Diabetes"
DISCUSS LONG-TERM KCN EFFECTS WITH POSSIBLE CXL PATIENTS
Dr. Nicholas J. Bruns has several suggestions to overcome a patient’s hesitation of collagen cross-linking (CXL) to treat keratoconus (KCN). One such barrier to the procedure is a skeptical teen patient, or their skeptical parent. To overcome this, Dr. Bruns says he has found success discussing the over-time effects of KCN; this discussion includes showing images that illustrate how KCN impairs vision.
“Break the Barriers to Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking"
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES IN A VENDOR
When choosing what vendors to form partnerships with, consider attributes such as quality of the product, profitability, accessibility, and exclusivity, writes Dr. Kristin S. O’Brien. Specifically, she recommends making a list of the vendors who have these attributes, with whom ODs can then contact and discuss partnership opportunities.
New OD: “Navigate Vendor Relationships"
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