Eyeworld

Name of Ad Page number 9 Best Practices Next, Optimize Patient Access to Early Treatment 9 #09 BEST PRACTICE BROADEN YOUR REFERRAL BASE Treatment of keratoconus is a service that is almost entire- ly dependent on the refer- ral of patients from other practitioners. Primary care optometrists and ophthal- mologists in the cornea spe- cialist's community are the largest source of referrals. As optometry's aware- ness of KC and cross-linking has improved and as more optometric practices have acquired topography devic- es, referrals of KC suspects are gradually increasing. Optometrists who fit scle- ral and other forms of spe- cialty contact lenses are the most likely to see larger volumes of KC patients. They c an b e v alua - ble members of the collaborative care team thanks to their ability to improve patients' vision with spe- cialty lenses after cross-linking. LensCraf t- ers-affiliated practices now have topography as part of their standardized Clari- fye digital eye exam, mak- ing those practices well posi- tioned to identify corneal changes indicative of kera- toconus. However, the role of primary eye care providers across all types of practice settings should not be discount- ed. Even when a patient is referred by a scleral lens p rov id e r, f in d - ing out who ini- tially referred the patient for scleral lens fitting and sending fol- low-up notes to that refer- ring doctor is recommend- ed. This may result in future referrals from the originating optometrist. Beyond optometry and pri- mary care ophthalmology, other productive targets for out- reach in clu d e refrac tive sur- geons, pediat- ric ophthalmol- ogists, allergists, and doctors who treat sleep apnea, including otolar- yngologists and pulmonologists. Patients who are rejected for laser vision correction surgery may have irregular astigma- tism or concerning topogra- phies that should be further investigated for KC. Refrac- tive surgeons may or may not be aware of the changes in KC care that have occurred in recent years. More than half of KC patients have a history of atopy, 12 so allergists are an underappreciat- ed source of refer- rals. Obstructive sleep apnea is also strongly associat- ed with KC. 13 Finally, patients themselves are good sources of referrals. Siblings, children and other relatives of patients with KC are at higher risk of devel- oping it themselves 14 and should be screened for the disease if possible. ■ #10 BEST PRACTICE EDUCATE REFERRAL SOURCES Educational seminars for local optometrists and phy- sicians have been a mainstay of KC education. Inviting a small group for a dinner pres- entation is among the most effective ways to deliver edu- cation and build relationships at the same time. Communi- ty lectures or literature pro- vided for health fairs, civic clubs and others can also be productive. Some prac- tices employ an outreach or optometry liaison whose role If you provide cross- linking, make sure that it is mentioned on your website so that patients can find you and you can reach a broader audience. — Kathryn Hatch, MD I tell allergists that if they have patients who rub their eyes and wear glasses, send them to me. — Beeran Meghpara, md

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