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Point-of-care tests for ocular surface disease gaining acceptance as diagnostic tools
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Ocular surface disease has various causes, and in-office testing is one means to define those causes. Red eye: There is a test for that. Meibomian gland dysfunction: There is a test for that. Allergy: There is a test for that. Dry eye: There is a test for that — more than one.
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a growing area in ophthalmology in which clinicians obtain immediate results that enhance the accuracy of a diagnosis or help rule one out during one clinic visit. The most common testing done in an ophthalmologist’s office is for ocular surface disease, which encompasses three primary areas: dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular allergy.
The advantages of these in-office tools are speed and simplicity; the disadvantage may be lack of revenue, according to OSN Healio.com/Ophthalmology Board Member William B. Trattler, MD.
“[POCT] is very simple to implement in your office,” Trattler said. “It probably won’t generate a lot of income, but it really helps us hone the diagnosis to better care for our patients.”
Click here to read more of the July cover story in the Ocular Surgery News U.S. Print Edition.