As Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across multiple continents and throughout the U.S., most medical practices are feeling the impact of this global pandemic. On March 18, 2020, the American Academy of Ophthalmology released recommendations regarding urgent and nonurgent patient care, which advised that all ophthalmologists cease providing any treatment other than urgent or emergent care immediately.Read More
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. According to CDC data, 6 in 10 American adults have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more. Chronic diseases—which include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, COPD, and Alzheimer’s, as well as non-life threatening conditions such as dry eye, glaucoma, and tinnitus—are also the leading drivers of the nation’s $3.5 trillion in annual health care costs.Read More
Consider the following scenario: a patient comes in to see you—an older male, overweight, with a family history of diabetes. Do you:
A) Hand him a brochure that warns of the dangers of pre-diabetes and lists risk factors, or
B) Tell him a story about another patient who was embarrassed to take his grandson swimming, and so began an exercise program that enabled him to feel better and lose 17 percent of his body weight, an amount shown to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 85 percent?Read More
While it was once perceived as a minor irritation, today dry eye disease (DED) is considered a “critical and significant public health issue” in the U.S., according to the Ophthalmology Times. An estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with DED, but the actual number of people affected is much higher. Some studies show that nearly half of all U.S. adults experience dry eye signs and symptoms, which include watery, itchy, or burning eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision—significantly impacting their quality of life. Read More
There is one aspect of health care that greatly impacts patient care, yet is often overlooked: caregiver engagement. There are more than 40 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the U.S., according to Pew Research. Of that group, nine in 10 are family members providing care for an aging relative, often a parent. Read More
Presbyopi-huh? Nearly all optometrists who responded to a recent poll—92 percent—agreed that most patients have no idea what the word “presbyopia” means. The poll of 143 ODs, conducted by Optometry Times and eye care company Alcon, was part of Alcon’s Project Presbyopia, a campaign to educate patients on the signs and symptoms of presbyopia and encourage them to see an OD to explore solutions including multifocal contact lenses.Read More
