Although most of your patients with children are diligent about bringing their kids in for regular eye exams, chances are good they’re putting off their own issues either because they attribute some vision loss to eye strain or age, or because they’re just too busy to think of themselves. Teaching parents about proper adult eye care can help mitigate the damage of age-related eye disease.

Source: Optos

The most common age-related eye diseases are glaucoma, AMD, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Millions of Americans also suffer from problems with night vision. What most people don’t realize is that this can be an early indicator of cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and other ailments of the retina.

It’s important to impress upon your patients the need to have their eyes tested. Current diagnostic instruments, such as ultra-widefield retinal imaging, can detect serious issues sooner, which can result in better outcomes for their vision.

Understanding eye strain in the work environment is another area of patient-education worth considering. Many people suffer from dry or watery eyes, sore or fatigued eyes, headaches and sensitivity while at work, especially if they’re seated in front of computer terminals for extended periods of time. Teach patients who work in the office to give their eyes frequent breaks, and guide them through some simple focusing exercises to help relieve the strain they’re experiencing. You can also discuss some possible adjustments they can make to their work stations to minimize the impact on their eyesight. As always, impress upon them the importance of a follow-up visit if their vision problems don’t improve after making these necessary changes.

Finally, by adding Contact Optos to learn how partnering with us can help accommodate more of your busy patients.