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Co-management with Ophthalmologist

Opthamologist

As your trusted eye care practitioner with a vested interest in your quality of life and vision, we have great working relationships with experienced ophthalmologists and co-manage patients care to ensure that the optimal care is being provided in every facet of your eyecare journey.

In planning for the future, we assist with management strategies for cataracts, glaucoma, macula degeneration and diabetes with the view of preserving quality of sight and independence.

When required, we will refer you for the best surgical interventions and outcomes that are available and will continue the journey with you every step of the way.

How Co-Management Benefits Your Eye Health and Vision Care

Co-management with an ophthalmologist and optometrist is an essential approach to providing the best possible eye care. Collaborative eye disease management ensures patients with complex eye conditions achieve optimal outcomes every time. Our shared-care model of eye care is highly beneficial for patients dealing with conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

With a co-management approach, patients can receive consistent care from their regular optometrist while receiving specialist intervention when necessary. It ensures that issues are dealt with promptly and that thorough communication and monitoring is maintained throughout the entire treatment. If your optometrist detects a sign of deterioration, a referral to an ophthalmologist will be immediate, and you will receive advanced diagnostics and surgical evaluation much sooner. With a combined effort, treatment is timely, and risks are significantly diminished.

Using a combination of professions, co-management with an ophthalmologist provides a tailored and holistic approach to eye care, addressing your current vision needs to enhance your long-term eye health. Instead of isolated treatments, we can develop a comprehensive plan. At Insightful Eye Care, we utilize co-management with an ophthalmologist to treat conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and more.

Common Eye Diseases Managed Through Co-Management with Ophthalmologists

An essential part of eye disease management involves the combined effort between your optometrist and ophthalmologist. The most common conditions that require co-management with ophthalmologists include:

Glaucoma

This is a chronic condition that requires regular pressure and optic nerve assessments, which can sometimes result in immediate surgical intervention.

Cataracts

An optometrist will be able to detect the early signs of cataracts, working closely with your ophthalmologist to ensure timely surgical intervention.

Macular Degeneration

This condition tends to require regular injections or laser treatment. It is managed by an ophthalmologist with continuous support from an optometrist. With the proper macular degeneration care, this condition can be effectively managed.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Individuals with diabetes are highly encouraged to undergo regular eye checks from an optometrist due to the likelihood of retinopathy. If it is detected, a referral to an ophthalmologist is essential.

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When Should You Seek a Referral to an Ophthalmologist?

If you book an appointment with your optometrist and they identify an eye condition that requires specialist treatment or surgery, a referral to an ophthalmologist is an essential step. Here are some examples of when this next step might be necessary:

  • If your optometrist notices you need cataract surgery
  • If you are in the advanced stages of glaucoma
  • If you suffer from macular degeneration and need injections
  • If you are experiencing retinal complications due to diabetes
  • If you have experienced sudden eye trauma
  • If you have experienced significant changes in vision
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The Co-Management Process: Step-by-Step

To help you better understand how we carry out an eye health assessment, the process of co-management with an ophthalmologist is as follows:

  1. The Initial Eye Examination with your optometrist. This is where they determine if additional intervention is necessary.
  2. If a disease or infection is found, your optometrist will diagnose, monitor, and begin to treat the condition and will likely give you a referral to an ophthalmologist.
  3. If surgery is required, this will be carried out by your ophthalmologist.
  4. After surgery, your optometrist will perform all necessary aftercare and conduct follow-up assessments to ensure that everything is healing as it should.
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