This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.

Over the last 15 years, I have been blessed to meet many amazing people: optometrists who own their businesses; clinicians who partner with owners; employees; associates; professors; and more. I’ve learned from these interactions that we all have similar challenges, no matter our practice modality.

Specifically, with dry eye disease, the biggest challenge doctors have with patients is often compliance. In the old days, I blamed non-compliance on my patients, but over time I learned that much of the problem actually lay with me.

Think back to your last doctor appointment: How did you respond when they prescribed a treatment and then tried to schedule a return visit for you? Were you skeptical of the purpose of the visit? Did you understand the diagnosis and treatment? Did they make it clear when and why you would need step therapy?

Did you schedule that next visit? If so, did you later cancel or did you show up?

In my experience as a patient, I am compliant when I understand the whole picture. I show up for visits without complaint or question when I know their purpose. I take my medication and follow my prescribed treatment when I understand the reason for it and what may be needed next. I feel more confident in the success of the treatment when my health care provider is confident as well.

I don’t enjoy having medical problems, but I can say that being a patient has helped me become a better doctor. I think most of us would go so far as to say that understanding the bigger picture is a requirement for patient compliance.

One could argue—and much literature supports us in our argument—that an effective daily ocular hygiene routine is one of the best methods of preventing dry eye and the problems surrounding it. How do we improve patients’ compliance in this area?

Here are some ideas I have implemented:

1. Test everyone for dry eye disease. Start with a questionnaire or a team member who can ask the right questions.
2. Use technology—especially video, when possible—to capture information from each patient on noninvasive tear break-up time, lid blink, meibomian gland status, tear meniscus and interferometry.
3. Review findings with each patient. Celebrate positive findings and treatment success, and express visible concern with negative findings.
4. Start treatment as soon as possible following Step 1 of TFOS Step Therapy: ocular hygiene, warm compresses, tears and Omega 3 supplements.
5. Schedule patients for return visits, explaining step therapy clearly. Educate them about the next steps that you will initiate if testing reveals the necessity.

Once you create a plan for your practice, make certain your team is consistent with the protocol for each patient. These habits can help you achieve long-term results in improving patient compliance.

April Jasper, OD, FAAO graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry with highest honors in 1995. She is the owner of Advanced Eyecare Specialists in West Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Jasper completed her residency in primary care, ocular disease and contact lenses in Boston, MA where she also held a position as adjunct professor at NEWENCO. Dr. Jasper has served her patients and colleagues as president of the Florida Optometric Association 2016 to 2017. She continues to share her knowledge and expertise around the world authoring numerous publications, lecturing and as chief editor of Optometric Management magazine.