Matt Geller, OD sat down with Emily Evans, OD to discuss the importance of dry eye evaluations and treatments when it comes to comprehensive patient care.
We all need to consider dry eye
As Dr. Geller states, if you’re in the cataract and refractive space, it’s almost essential for you to be in the dry eye space, as well. The evaluation and pre-op side of things is crucial in determining patient outcomes.
Learn about the role of dry eye in medical optometry and how to develop a dry eye center in your practice that can generate new revenue and income sources.
Before referring a patient for surgery
Should there be a process of evaluating for dry eye, meibomian gland function, etc. before referring a patient? Dr. Evans explains that all pre-op cataract patients at her practice are given a “speed questionnaire” before they’re considered for referral.
Taking the extra step to really evaluate a patient can make all the difference. Staining, tear osmolarity, topography, and more—run all the tests to ensure that your patient is surgery-ready. Completing all of these extra tests will help you determine whether putting off dry eye surgery is warranted.
It is also critical to understand if a patient has anterior segment disease that can create less than optimal outcomes when it comes to the healing process and end result.
Here’s a 36 page guide on understanding dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. Learn how you can treat MGD using LipiFlow, and how to bring this technology to your practice.
Dry eye needs to be treated before anything else
The patient will be much happier after surgery if they are treated for dry eye first. If the ocular surface is stable, their healing process will be much smoother.
If you take a few extra minutes to stain and fully assess the patient, you will save them money, time, and a lot of headache. And, best of all, you’ll have a happy customer for future visits!
Learn more about the nuts and bolts of dry eye and treatment and management.
