Some 44.4 percent of the optometrists responding in 2008 about their scope of clinical practice provided some low vision services to their patients, according to the American Optometric Association’s Caring for the Eyes of America report. More than four out of five ODs (86.2 percent) referred low vision patients elsewhere for services, while 35.1 percent also accepted some low vision referrals from other practitioners. Nine of ten (91.5 percent) of the responding ODs managed or co-managed patients with macular degeneration.
The leading cause of vision loss over age 65 is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Baby boomers are those people born after World War II between the years of 1946 and 1964. In the year 2012, these people are between the ages of 48 and 66. What this means is that more and more people coming through our practices will have macular degeneration. The need for low vision services and macular degeneration management is going to increase in most practices. With that in mind, what changes have you made in your practice to improve your care for AMD patients this year? Here is a check-list to see if your practice is ready for this group of patients.
Yes No
[ ] [ ] Retinal surgeon(s) identified/contacted for co-management
[ ] [ ] Added or upgraded diagnostic/management tools
[ ] [ ] Internal systems in place to deliver dietary change information
[ ] [ ] Internal systems in place to deliver supplements
[ ] [ ] Internal systems in place to deliver low vision aids
This is the time to put in place a plan to improve the completeness and quality of care delivered in your practice to patients with AMD.
