Eye care networks have been around for a long time. In the 1980s, they were primary based on group buying to lower the cost of ophthalmic goods. In the 1990s, they evolved to do third party contacting and by using local resources, the reimbursement for optometric services was increased. Providing access to surgical eyecare was also facilitated by networks.
Today, many of these networks have evolved to large affinity groups and some of the returns of network membership have decreased. Strong local networks, however, with good management have continued to flourish. Eyetopia is one of these networks and has remained a strong supporter of optometry in Texas.
One of the reasons for the longevity of Eyetopia has been the addition of new and innovative programs. In representing local optometrist to large groups such as school districts, Eyetopia has been able to keep the payors informed as the scope of optometry has evolved. Eyetopia has promoted wellness programs and provided other opportunities to keep the payor happily connected to the private optometry community.
The role of the private practice optometrist has expanded with new technology and legislation that increased the scope of practice. The Optical Coherence Topographer (OCT), for example has allowed a better evaluation of the nerve fiber layer of the retina, clearly helpful to manage glaucoma, but also helpful for the diagnosis and management of neurological problems.
This summer the Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA-Ophthalmology) reported the work of Hathaway et al on a retrospective study of patients taking semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss[1]. This study found that a significant number of patients taking this common drug developed permeant vision loss from nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). In the diabetic cohort the incidence was 8.9% and in the weight loss group, 6.7%.
As optometrists, we know that NAION can only occur in patients with a “disc at risk”. This is defined as an optic nerve head with a “crowded disc”, an optic disc with a very small cup to disc ratio.
Nobody looks at optic nerves and C/D ratios more than optometrists. We look at then at every eye exam and for many, we take an Optos photo.
Based on this evidence, every patient that is a candidate for this medicine should be screened by an optometrist for a small C/D ratio and those at risk for vision loss should be counseled about this new risk factor.
Eyetopia has yet another opportunity to educate the Payors about this important health safely issue and develop programs to organize this screen to occur on a broad basis.
With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and the opportunity to evaluate “big data”, look for more opportunities for optometry to leverage technology to better serve our patients. Eyetopia will be right there with you educating payers building programs to improve the health of your community.
For more information:
Scott A. Edmonds, OD, FAAO, specializes in vision-based neurorehabilitation at Edmonds Eye Associates in Philadelphia. He can be reached at scott@edmondsgroup.com.