December 2, 2024
By Ashley Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS, ABO Diplomate
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Effectively managing a child’s myopia can not only change the directive of their eye health, but it can also drastically improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, access to comprehensive eye care, not to mention myopia management, is still quite limited nationwide. According to a 2019 study conducted by the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC), children’s eye care is not a high priority for most parents. In fact, only about 57% of respondents reported making an appointment with an optometrist, and only 27% reported actually taking their child to the appointment.1
On the contrary, it’s undeniable that most parents understand the importance of annual pediatrician visits and follow through with scheduling and attending these visits. Thus, creating a co-management approach between optometrists and pediatricians could be the key to better access to appropriate eye care and myopia management.
Establish Our Value
Pediatricians’ primary goal is to ensure their patients’ overall health, including eye health. Although they perform vision screenings and some basic eye health assessments, comprehensive eye care is the responsibility of eye care practitioners. Unfortunately, pediatricians tend to refer to pediatric ophthalmologists rather than optometrists.2 With so few pediatric ophthalmologists nationwide, patients may have to wait weeks to months to be seen.
Optometrists can play a very valuable role in caring for these patients. Most doctors refer to other health care professionals with whom they are familiar, have established a trusted relationship, and have had favorable outcomes. As optometrists, we must take the time to develop a trusted, mutual relationship with pediatricians in our area. It’s very likely they aren’t referring to us simply because they don’t know we are practicing in the area and that we can offer specialized care to their patients.
Create a Relationship
As doctors, our days are hectic, and we don’t appreciate it when our patient flow is interrupted by visitors who “just need a minute of your time.” Dropping into a pediatrician’s office in hopes of a positive interaction with the office is unlikely. Instead, consider calling ahead of time to schedule an introductory visit with the pediatrician or their patient care coordinator. Whether you score a personal visit or not, be sure to at least drop off marketing materials about myopia management, along with a letter explaining myopia management, detailing your expertise and desire to comanage. Hand-delivering the materials is more effective in ensuring delivery than relying on the mail, and it creates a personalized touch. In addition, all offices enjoy treats, so be sure not to arrive empty handed! It may take a follow-up call and/or additional visit to move the relationship along, but it will be well worth it.
Alignment in Messaging
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children should get their first eye exam between six and 12 months, their second eye exam between 3 and 5 years, and then annually thereafter. This allows for early detection of eye conditions — especially myopia. In most cases, myopia is detected well after onset, hindering our ability to slow or possibly even prevent onset. If the pediatrician detects myopia, equip them with brochures about myopia management options to hand to their patients. Be sure to have your office’s contact information clearly indicated on the marketing materials.
Since we live in a digital world, some may argue brochures or written materials are antiquated. To capture those with this ever-growing mindset, consider creating a QR code that links to digital educational videos starring YOU on your office website. This will serve two purposes — the family will quickly acquire the desired information, and they will gain an instant personal connection with you and your office. The goal is to have the pediatrician plant the seed — optometrists can take it from there!
Streamline the Referral Process
Once the relationship is established, the referral process must be easy and effective. Otherwise, the newly developed relationship will abruptly end. Create a referral sheet that can be faxed or emailed to your office. Furthermore, establishing a point of contact for each office will streamline communication between offices. When the referral is received, promptly call and schedule the patient to reinforce the importance of the visit.
In addition, the aforementioned QR code could also include an option for the family to enter their contact information into a portal. This would allow someone from your office to contact them immediately instead of waiting for the pediatrician’s referral. Implement both options to ensure the highest capture rate and prevent potential referrals from being missed.
Close the Loop
Once the patient is seen in the office, send a letter back to the pediatrician’s office detailing your findings and plan of action. In addition, consider sending a letter after each annual visit updating the pediatrician on the child’s progress over the last year. This should include the chosen myopia management strategy, the initial and current refractive status, and axial length (if available). For ultimate efficiency, create standard letters that will easily allow personalized patient information to be added. These letters will emphasize the importance of our role in comprehensive eye care and especially the importance of myopia management.
Leverage your Team
Creating and maintaining professional relationships can be overwhelming. When possible, appoint a key staff member to be the liaison between offices. This team member can also be responsible for creating the initial point of contact with the pediatrician’s office, allowing a more effortless segue for you. Before the staff member is allowed to embark on this very important role, be sure to spend adequate time equipping them with the knowledge they need to represent you and your office properly. This can be done by having dedicated one-on-one myopia management education sessions, taking online courses, and/or attending CE events.
Optometrists and pediatricians share the goal of having patients with a lifetime of healthy eyes, and myopia management plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. To ensure the best continuity of care, we should all strive to forge relationships with pediatricians within a reasonable distance of our office(s).
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Dr. Ashley Tucker graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2010 and completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency at UHCO in 2011. Dr. Tucker is a partner at Bellaire Family Eye Care, a private practice in the Houston, Texas, area where she primarily manages patients in need of specialty contact lenses and myopia management. She is also a Visiting Assistant Professor at UHCO where she is the course master for the Ophthalmic Optics laboratories. In addition, Dr. Tucker is a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for the Specialty Division of Bausch + Lomb, a consultant for CooperVision, and a lecturer for the STAPLE (Soft Toric and Presbyopic Lens Experience) program. Most recently, she was named a Global Ambassador for myopia management outreach by the World Council of Optometry,
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References
- Global Myopia Awareness Coalition. New survey reveals vision is deprioritized by parents in children’s overall health. December 3, 2019.
- Johnson & Johnson Vison. (2022). Pediatrician Survey, July 13, 2022.
