August 1, 2024
By Glenda Aleman, OD
As myopia management experts, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for early intervention and encourage our colleagues to address the myopia crisis. By fostering strong relationships and communication channels, we can work together to safeguard the visual health of future generations.
The myopia epidemic is continuing to rise, and while the consensus among eye care practitioners is that myopia management is now the standard of care, the profession still needs to prepare to adopt myopia management strategies fully. Currently, less than 10% of all eye care professionals are effectively offering myopia management therapies to patients.1
Optometrists offering these treatments must maximize their reach by establishing strong referral networks. Referrals are essential for effectively co-managing our patients. As optometrists, we face many challenges, and one way to succeed is to support one another. With several great subspecialties within optometry, we should work together to effectively design treatment plans for our patients, with an emphasis on fostering OD-to-OD referrals. We must keep in mind that when our patients require further care, we must refer them to the appropriate ophthalmology specialty as well.
A Community of ODs Helps Patient Outcomes
For example, I work closely with ECPs in my community, educating them on the latest myopia management research. Once these ECPs understand what I’m offering to my patients and why it’s so important, they’re more likely to feel comfortable sending me their myopia management patients. In recent years, several local ECPs have referred their myopic patients to my office, and this all starts with education and fostering that sense of community within our profession.
These relationships work both ways. While I place a strong emphasis on myopia management in my practice, when my patients require a treatment or service that I don’t provide, I refer them to my colleagues. In my area, Elise Kramer, OD, and Nona Kalfayan, OD, have become masters in the dry eye space, while Eric Chow, OD, has created a great binocular vision program. When I see a patient who needs any of these treatments, I have no doubt or hesitation about referring them to one of these practitioners. Not only do I know that my patients are getting the best treatment, but the successful treatment plans we’ve collaborated on inspire and motivate us to continue our efforts.
Primary eye care practitioners who do not offer myopia management in their practices are our best allies, and we need to treat them as such. They play a crucial role in the success of myopia management. Primary eye care practitioners can have a significant impact by referring myopia management candidates to fellow practitioners who specialize in the field and who are passionate about these treatments. It is our responsibility, as doctors specializing in myopia management, to support and assist these primary care doctors in referring patients to us.
6 Steps to Cultivate Your Referral Network
While it can be challenging to get started cultivating your referral network, I’ve come up with a list of tangible ways that all practitioners can get started. Here’s how we can help jumpstart our local ECP network:
Step 1. Engage with your local optometric society: Actively participate in local optometric events and community initiatives to network with other optometrists. Building relationships within the profession can lead to increased referrals and collaborations.
Step 2. Extend invitations to local ODs not providing myopia management services: Invite optometrists who are not yet offering myopia treatments to visit your practice. Establishing personal connections and showcasing your expertise can help foster trust and increase referrals.
Step 3. Share comprehensive chart notes with referring ODs: Providing detailed and timely feedback to referring optometrists about the treatments conducted can enhance their confidence in your practice. Clear communication fosters a sense of collaboration and encourages future referrals.
Step 4. Maintain patient continuity: When patients require follow-up care or additional services such as glasses, ensure they are referred back to their primary care optometrist. Respecting the patient’s relationship with their OD reinforces trust and encourages ongoing referrals.
Step 5. Host educational events: Organize educational programs in your community to raise awareness about myopia management among local optometrists. Sharing knowledge and myopia management pearls, including educational material and resources, can prompt referring ODs to recognize the importance of early intervention for myopia.
Step 6. Prioritize patient satisfaction: Uphold a high standard of care and treat every patient with exceptional attention and respect. Satisfied patients are more likely to communicate positively about their experience, leading to increased referrals from referring ODs.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Above all, maintain professionalism and respect. Encourage collaboration within the optometric community.
In my practice, I have held events inviting local ODs to tour the office and meet my staff. Upon seeing the office and putting faces to names, they were more comfortable referring patients to our office, and we have built professional relationships that have lasted for years. I’ve been able to foster such a strong referral network by maintaining a constructive approach and avoiding criticism or negative remarks about other optometrists. Instead, my focus in every conversation with fellow ODs is about fostering a unified effort to combat the myopia epidemic.
In the words of myopia management expert Dr. Kevin Chan, “It takes a village.” As myopia management experts, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for early intervention and encourage our colleagues to address the myopia crisis. By fostering strong relationships and communication channels, we can work together to safeguard the visual health of future generations.
Dr. Aleman received her Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She is the founder and CEO of iSmart Vision Care in Miami, Florida. In her mission to fight the myopia epidemic, Dr. Aleman has launched her new venture, OK Love Myopia Control Experts, a clinic and consulting company. She has lectured extensively nationally and internationally to contribute to educating others in orthokeratology and myopia management. Dr. Aleman is a myopia management professional affairs consultant for several companies, including Johnson & Johnson Vision and Topcon. Additionally, she has held the role of clinical liaison for Walmart Health Optometry in Florida, she serves on the advisory committee of the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (AAOMC), and she is a former lead ambassador for the Optometry Divas Miami Chapter. Dr. Aleman is a founding board member of Latinos En Optometry and the new organization Women In Eyecare. To contact Dr. Aleman, email her at gmoheep@gmail.com |
References
1 Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC). (n.d.). https://www.myopiaawareness.org/