Sulcus Placement of Glaucoma Drainage Device

Ahmed Samir, MD

Eyetube

In this case, 10-0 flanged prolene sutures were used to guide precise placement of an Ahmed valve in the sulcus.

The Importance of Increasing OD-to-OD Referrals

And some tips on how to do so.

Jason Besecker, OD, MS

Modern Optometry

With subspecialization and collaboration, optometrists can provide the highest quality care and improve outcomes for our patients. In this article, I will focus on the need for both in our profession to address the increasing complexity of eye diseases, as well as the rapid rate of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools at our disposal. This increased complexity in diseases, diagnostics, and therapeutics makes it impractical—quite frankly, impossible—for a single practitioner to master all areas of optometry, requiring the need for dedicated experts on a condition or subset of conditions. ADOPT THE RIGHT MINDSET When optometrists make a decision, whether it be related to business or clinical care, our patients’ best interests should always be top of mind. According to the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Ethics, “the relationship between a patient and a physician is based on trust, which gives rise to a physicians’ ethical responsibility to place patients’ welfare above the physician’s own self-interest or obligation to others, to use sound medical judgement on the patients’ behalf, and to advocate for their patients’ welfare.”1 I have seen colleagues fail to make necessary referrals, even when they know that other optometrists in their area provide specialty services that could improve a patient’s outcome. When asked for her thoughts about OD-to-OD referrals, Pam Theriot, OD, FAAO, says staying patient-centric has taught her to refer to her colleagues who specialize in other optometric specialties. “I love to refer my patients to another provider when I know they will have a better outcome,” she says. This is an excellent mindset that other optometrists can learn from—the importance of remaining patient-centric to ensure better outcomes—even if it means referring to another optometrist. Specialists offer more advanced insights on certain conditions, making them better equipped to establish solutions to more complex challenges. US News published a panel discussion on the advantages of the specialized approach in health care.2 One of the panelists, Harlan Levine, MD, suggested that many health care practitioners are concerned that referring patients to a specialist may result in them losing those patients, or what’s sometimes referred to as leakage.

Tips for Retaining Staff and Keeping Them Happy

A solid team is at the core of any successful practice. Here’s how you can do your part as a leader to ensure employee satisfaction.

Michael J. Cymbor, OD, FAAO; Mila Ioussifova, OD, FAAO, CNS; and Caitlin Morrison, OD, FAAO, FSLS

Modern Optometry

Having trouble with employee turnover, or just want to be proactive so you (hopefully) never have to deal with it? We spoke with three established practice owners and asked them to share their secrets to building and maintaining a strong optometric team in today’s world. Read their insights for retaining staff and keeping them happy and productive. — Alex Brodin, Associate Editor Modern Optometry (MOD): Tell us about your practice. Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO: Nittany Eye Associates has five locations in Pennsylvania. We employ 12 optometrists, one ophthalmologist, 18 technicians, and more than 60 staff members. Mila Ioussifova, OD, FAAO, CNS: South Waterfront Eye Care is a full-scope optometric practice with a boutique optical. We provide medical eye care with a special emphasis on dry eye disease management, offering advance treatments such as intense pulsed light therapy, radiofrequency, TearScience LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System (Johnson & Johnson Vision), TearCare System (Sight Sciences), and MiBo ThermoFlo (MiBo Medical Group). We perform in-office procedures, including blood draws for autologous serum and platelet-rich plasma eye drop preparations, and offer aesthetic services. As a certified nutrition specialist, I offer personalized nutrition counseling tailored to enhance ocular health.