Whether you’re fitting a patient for their first multifocal contact lens or troubleshooting discomfort to prevent contact lens dropout, navigating the patient conversation can be tricky. In this new video series, watch Dr. Gabriela Olivares, OD, react to real-life, contact lens encounters.*
Dr. Olivares is an optometrist at The Eye Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where she specializes in ocular disease and myopia management and control.
*Disclaimer: Though each scenario is based on an actual encounter, the recordings were voiced by actors portraying real patients.
Encounter 1: To mask or not to mask astigmatism—that IS the question!
With the growing gig economy of ride-hauling, you have likely encountered a patient who drives a lot as part of their daily routine and is looking to upgrade from glasses to contacts. But what to do about that sticker shock?
Watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction to how this doctor handled the encounter below.
Don’t miss new episodes every Friday on IG & TikTok! Watch Dr. Olivares react to wild patient convos—and share your reactions!
Encounter 2: Maintaining youth—but setting expectations—with multifocal contacts
After a certain age, every patient will begin to present with presbyopia: it’s a natural part of the aging process and affects everyone from myopes to emmetropes alike.1 However, for our patients who have never had to wear lenses of any kind throughout their lives, it can come as quite a shock.
Watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction to how this doctor handles the situation below.
Encounter 3: The Pepsi challenge
When a presbyope comes in looking to switch from a spherical to a multifocal (MF) contact lens (CL), you have some options—but educating them on the lens most likely to offer a successful outcome should be the first step.
Watch Dr. Olivares react to one doctor’s take on the “Pepsi challenge.”
Encounter 4: Introducing MF lenses to skeptical patients
On those occasions when a patient is resistant to the idea of a treatment that you believe would work if they only gave it a chance, it can be tempting to give up and let them walk out of the clinic. But, sometimes, a little creativity and experimentation can go a long way to getting them on board.
Listen to how this doctor offered a creative way for their patient to test out multifocal contact lenses while shopping for their next pair of cheaters.
And, watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction below!
Encounter 5: When good patients get bad advice—from the internet
When a patient comes in reporting problems with contact lens discomfort, one of the most important things you can do is to ask questions, such as, “Does the discomfort start immediately, or does it build over the course of the day?” In some cases, you might be surprised at what you learn about your patients’ lens wear routines.
Watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction below.
Encounter 6: Not all lenses are created equal…or interchangeable
According to the Eyes On Eyecare 2023 Optometrist Report, over one-third of patients walk out with their prescription instead of purchasing glasses or contacts from the practice. What happens when those patients purchase their lenses elsewhere—and don’t buy the recommended contact lens brand? Well, sometimes they come back to the practice very unhappy.
Watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction to a disgruntled patient below.
Encounter 7: Preventing contact lens dropout before it happens
Contact lens dropout is a common occurrence in eyecare practices—in fact, as many as a reported 20% of contact lens wearers will discontinue CL wear at some point in their journey.2 That said, it doesn’t have to be inevitable. If you can dig into the issues your patient is having, you might be able to find a lens that better suits their needs.
Watch Dr. Olivares react to how one doctor approached this very situation!
Encounter 8: The last patient of the day wants to try something new
Multifocal contact lenses have experienced amazing strides in lens design in the last few years—they’re no longer a one-size-fits-all lens. Now, there are plenty of customizable or optimized designs for individual patients’ needs. If a patient comes in asking about multifocals—even if you’re skeptical that they’ll be a good candidate—still, give it a try.
Watch Dr. Olivares’s reaction to one doctor’s missed opportunity below.
Encounter 9: More information isn’t always better
We get it; we’re passionate about new technology in eyecare too. However, sometimes, our patients need to hear simple recommendations that are tailored to their needs, not the entire list of available technologies in lens design.
Watch Dr. Olivares react to an overly enthusiastic doctor below.
Encounter 10: Understanding patient needs—no matter how specific
And, finally, you may be faced with a patient whose circumstances are…well…unique.
Watch Dr. Olivares react to our last patient’s—ahem—personal reasons for wanting to get out of glasses wear!
