Optimizing the Business of Dry Eye

Practical guidance for success.

Patti Barkey, COE

Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today

Dry Eye University (dryeyeuniversity.com) was established with the aim of elevating the business of dry eye disease (DED) in modern eye care practices. With the support of industry partners, program 26 sold out in February 2024 and was attended by ophthalmologists, optometrists, private equity teams, and practice CEOs with their staff. DED is big business. An estimated 36 million individuals have DED in the United States, although the reported prevalence ranges greatly. As the CEO of a practice that specializes in DED care, I have found that at least eight out of 10 patients who walk through our doors have some signs and/or symptoms of DED. In contrast, my work with practices all over the country through Dry Eye University and industry partner relationships suggests that only 3% to 5% of US practices embrace DED patients. The goals of care are to halt the progression of this lifelong disease and increase patient comfort. In a business sense, however, patients with chronic conditions such as DED and glaucoma are akin to annuities on a practice’s productivity sheet year after year. This article shares tips on how to optimize a DED business. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Advertising.

Foundations: The Journey of Neda Squared in Ophthalmology

Neda Shamie, MD; and Neda Nikpoor, MD

Eyetube

In the premiere episode of Neda Squared, hosts Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, weave through their personal and professional journeys in ophthalmology, highlighting the serendipitous meetings and shared values that have shaped their careers. They delve into the transformative power of mentorship, the impact of global medicine initiatives, and their commitment to authentic patient care.

Adopting Remote Monitoring and AI: Lessons From Cardiology

Learning from colleagues in other medical specialties can guide ophthalmology’s smooth transition.

Judy E. Kim, MD, FARVO, FASRS, and Jagmeet P. Singh, MD, ScM, PhD, FHRS, FACC

Retina Today

AT A GLANCE The use of remote monitoring and AI is inevitable in the field of retina. However, concerns related to workflow, liability, and reimbursement hinder its adoption in day-to-day practice. Cardiology has found remote monitoring and AI to be fundamental to modern practice, benefitting both patients and providers. By learning about cardiology’s experience with adopting remote monitoring and AI in clinical practice, ophthalmologists can anticipate (and adjust for) the new era in medicine. The more ophthalmology embraces remote monitoring, the better it can meet the needs of patients and reduce treatment burden. As regulatory bodies move closer to approving home-based imaging platforms, such as home OCT and AI-based software, ophthalmologists must prepare for more data-driven care. To learn more about what this transition entails, ophthalmology can turn to other specialties with experience in widespread adoption of AI and remote monitoring. Although we practice in separate domains of medicine—retina (Dr. Kim) and cardiology (Dr. Singh)—we share a passion for improving patient care through technology.