Eyeworld

137 September 2015 EW MEETING REPORTER of before and after photos as well as consents and other helpful free information that other clinicians can use as they begin to work in aesthetics. The session included informa- tion on newer advancements in oculoplastics such as fat transfer and stem cell research, with research done by Sara Tullis Wester, MD, Miami. treatment options in aesthetics, such as fillers. A number of practices may de- cide to add aesthetic options because they see a need in their practice, there is a high demand, it allows for creativity, and it can be a way to grow the practice, said Erin Shriver, MD, Iowa City, Iowa. Adding aesthetics can also be a way to boost practice morale, as many staff members enjoy learning more about the available options and trying out products, the panel- ists said. It is common to have functional ophthalmology patients who may have a need or desire for aesthetic treatments or aesthetic patients who have a need for traditional ophthalmic treatment, said Femida Kherani, MD, Vancouver. Session participants discussed some of the aesthetic treatment options that are a good fit for oph- thalmologists to offer. These include laser resurfacing to target wrinkles, laxity, and texture issues; collagen induction therapy, chemical peels, fillers, and toxins. Another key part of the aes- thetics setup is educating patients on good skincare, which builds the foundation for a patient's improved appearance. Dr. Kherani discussed 5 skincare essentials—sunscreen, vita- min A, vitamins C and E, depigmen- tation agents, and growth factors. "You always have to pair [lasers and other procedures] with prod- ucts," said Kimberly Cockerham, MD, San Francisco. "Otherwise, it's like whitening your teeth and then not brushing them." When performing work in aesthetics, providers should keep patient expectations as realistic as possible to avoid any possible disap- pointment after a procedure. Session leaders said they rely heavily on the use of preop photos so patients can see how things look after a proce- dure compared with before. They also talked about educating patients on how much time something such as Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan, Dublin, Ireland) needs to take effect. Dr. Cockerham let attendees know that she has on her website (www.cockerhammd.com) a number Better ergonomics for ophthalmologists Ophthalmologists have double the rate of neck pain and hand and wrist pain compared with family phy- sicians, said Renée Ostertag, DPT, MPT, in "Ergonomics for Vitality in Ophthalmology." Females are more prone to pain in general, which makes female ophthalmologists particularly vulnerable to the pain associated with various postures often used while treating patients. Ms. Ostertag reviewed some easy exercises ophthalmologists can do to ease and prevent bodily pain. She encouraged attendees to perform the exercises as part of a daily routine, such as when sitting in traffic or after working on the computer for a long time. Ms. Ostertag also dis- cussed the importance of changing one's bodily position every 15 min- utes, performing regular exercise, and using ergonomically friendly postures in the exam room. EW

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