Eyeworld Supplements

EW MAR 2016 - Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Medical Optics

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3 Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Medical Optics Dry eye remains a concern of pa- tients considering LVC. The ASCRS Clin- ical Survey reported that respondents think LASIK has significantly increased the level of postoperative dry eye in 30% of their patients 6 months after LASIK. Future growth The survey determined that nearly half (46%) of LVC surgery is driven by patient-to-patient referrals. Although surgeons may focus on marketing, optometric referrals, and other options, close to half of our cases are derived from word-of-mouth referrals. We need to take a closer look at how we can encourage satisfied patients to be our advocates. When respondents estimated their LVC procedure volumes in the next 12 Advanced technology Topography-guided and advanced wavefront-guided technology will help surgeons achieve better outcomes. In a primary myopia trial, results 3 months after surgery with a topographic- guided ablation system were as follows: 92.7% had 20/20 or better UCVA, 68.8% had 20/16 UCVA, and 29.6% gained at least 1 line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. 3 Visual symptoms such as glare and halos also improved after surgery. When Dr. Schallhorn assessed results of advanced wavefront-guided ablation (iDesign, Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, Ill.) in more than 8,900 eyes with a broad range of astigmatism and myopia (more than 4,700 patients), 84% had 20/16 UCVA and 95% had 20/20 UCVA 1 month after surgery (Figure 2). Although we have not achieved 20/16 in 100% of cases, I think each technology advance- ment improves our results. These data compare favorably to those achieved with topography-guided ablation. I think the difference between 20/20 and 20/16 results from higher order aberrations, not necessarily sphere and cylinder. I think we will achieve 20/16 vision correction when we control those higher order aberrations. Conclusion The future is beyond 20/20, and ad- vanced technology will help us deliver these results. However, if we do not mea- sure 20/16 outcomes, we will never know whether we are achieving them. Assessing these clinical parameters will help us determine our outcomes and drive patient satisfaction—as well as practice growth. References 1. Lazon de la Jara P, et al. Visual and non-visual factors associated with patient satisfaction and quality of life in LASIK. Eye (Lond). 2011;25:1194– 1201. 2. Bamashmus MA, et al. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2015;22:108–114. 3. Ophthalmology Web: Alcon WaveLight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q Excimer Laser Approved by US FDA for Topography-Guided LASIK Treat- ments, November 2013: www.ophthalmologyweb. com/1315-News/150331-Alcon-WaveLight-ALLE- GRETTO-WAVE-sup-sup-Eye-Q-Excimer-Laser- Approved-by-U-S-FDA-for-Topography-Guided- LASIK-Treatments/ Dr. Hardten practices with Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minneapolis. He can be contacted at drhardten@mneye.com. months, 37% anticipated more than 10% growth (Figure 2). Growing these num- bers will take effort and energy. In the following pages, LVC experts will share their insights on emerging technology, strategies to achieve optimal outcomes, and clinical and marketing tips to leverage LVC in your practice. Dr. Vukich practices with Dean Medical Center in Madison, Wis. He can be contacted at javukich@gmail.com. continued from page 1 " Research has shown that patient satisfaction is highly correlated with uncorrected visual acuity …. " –David Hardten, MD " We need to take a closer look at how we can encourage satisfied patients to be our advocates. " –John Vukich, MD

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