In this, the annual “Refraction” issue of Optometric Management, our feature section articles explore solutions to managing myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. With each year, the range of vision-correcting options grows, which, when coupled with the optometrist’s expertise, can help result in satisfied patients who see well.

The thread of time

One thread that ties each of the features together is that success in managing each condition often relies on taking timely action. For example, in the article “Myopia management: Evidence-based approaches, Dr. Maria Liu writes that the keys to long-term success are identifying risk factors and early diagnosis and intervention. Dr. Liu’s article includes five approaches to myopia control: visual hygiene, atropine, multifocal soft contact lenses, overnight orthokeratology lenses, and spectacle designs (in the pipeline stateside).

Preparing patients for presbyopia even before they begin to lose their near vision “makes them more amenable to accepting this change and the vision-correcting options available,” writes Dr. Timothy Earley in “Satisfy the needs of plano presbyopes." These options include spectacles, contact lenses, surgery, and eye drops.

In “Creating happier hyperopes.” Dr. Pamela A. Lowe reminds us that “with timely diagnosis and treatment, hyperopes can experience the visual performance and satisfaction they deserve.” In addition, Dr. Lowe discusses vision correction options that include spectacles, contact lenses, and surgery.

Time and time again

Early diagnosis appears again, as the first of five “glaucomantras” in Dr. Austin Lifferth’s “Glaucoma” column. Dr. Lifferth’s “glaucomantras” are key phrases to help clinicians recenter their glaucoma care regardless of disease stage.

Dr. Kristin S. O’Brien discusses another type of timing in “New OD,” specifically, the right time for an optometrist to start a family. (Sorry, no spoilers here, you’ll have to read the column.)

As a final thought: The team at OM understand your time is valuable. If you have the time, please share your time-saving tips with us by emailing james.thomas@broadcastmed.com with the subject “Time.” OM