This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Consumer-facing technology drives changes in eye care
The Center for Connected Medicine partnered with the Health Management Academy to survey and interview executives from large U.S. health systems on health information technology trends for 2018.
Primary Care Optometry News Editorial Board Member Karen F. Perry, OD, FAAO, of Orlando, Fla., commented on their findings.
PCON: According to the report, it looks like cybersecurity and health and wellness apps are the highest priority for health systems in 2018. How do you see this affecting optometry?
Perry: Regarding cybersecurity, in everyday practice, optometrists maintain and store patient health information in Internet-enabled EHRs, medical devices and diagnostic instruments for clinical, administrative and financial operations. This networked technology increases exposure to possible cybersecurity threats. Optometrists will be required to evaluate and manage new risks in the context of HIPAA federal privacy and security rules. Recent virus attacks on large EHR companies, such as Allscripts, have taken down physician practices and hospitals across the nation at every level. All practices are vulnerable to these attacks, regardless of size or security protocols. Constant vigilance is key to protecting and securing protected health information across networks.
Regarding health and wellness app, from iTunes Eye Workout, which advertises it will improve eyesight, to Pocket Braille, developers are continuously seeking new ways for patients to gain access to eye care. These apps are becoming more prevalent and used by tech-savvy patients who would rather avoid a visit to the eye doctor. This emergence of wellness apps will continue to drive mobility of eye care. However, the American Optometric Association cited, “When patients rely on an app for an eyeglass or contact lens prescription, they can receive inaccurate or misleading information and potentially delay essential sight saving treatment.”
PCON: Telemedicine and genetic testing are areas of interest for about half of the health systems. Does optometry’s interest/involvement match that?
Perry: Expanded use of telemedicine in eye care will continue to be an attractive means for remote and efficient access to certain health care services. Screening patients for urgent conditions, retinal disease, diabetes and glaucoma continues to be emerging discussions among eye care providers. Specifically, the gathering and transmission of ocular images, such as optic nerve and fundus photos, can help patients avoid loss of vision through access to early diagnosis and treatment. However, lack of appropriate standards within telemedicine and adequate payment for these services pose barriers to quick adoption of this technology. Technological capabilities have already been introduced in many EHR programs and are currently accessible to providers. These telehealth services can be significant in remote or underserved areas where there is lack of access to eye care services.
Genetic testing is of particular interest for optometry as a diagnostic tool for precision medicine. This rapidly emerging area opens new doors for targeted treatment and outcomes. Faulty genes are implicated in diseases ranging from common conditions such as myopia, primary open-angle glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration to rare hereditary syndromes. Personalized medicine is now being used on a daily basis to screen and treat retinitis pigmentosa and corneal dystrophies through the use of stem cells and gene editing. This information will be used in the future to determine more about the expression of such genes and tailor treatments to each patient.
PCON: Artificial intelligence is a low priority for these organizations. How do you gauge optometry’s interest?
Perry: Artificial intelligence (AI) is already deployed in optometry. Every day we use clinical decision support tools in our EHR to help drive efficiency in EHR documentation, assessments, plans and billing. We review progression analysis for glaucoma patients to help drive clinical treatment. Diagnostic imaging software from Topcon (Synergy), Heidelberg Engineering and Zeiss (Forum) currently use algorithms to monitor glaucoma progression. Robotic systems are used for remote controlled retinal surgery and diabetic retinopathy. AI is being used to instantaneously recognize and classify retinal images for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and AMD. This will allow optometrists to utilize AI for diagnostic purposes and focus more efforts on treatment and improved outcomes. Algorithms to target medical conditions and assist optometrists in identifying prognosis and risk will ultimately improve outcomes. Although there is a lot of hype about AI, Amazon and other technology companies have brought digital health applications to life. AI will continue to help improve efficiency for optometry, as the quality of existing data is improved and integrated.
PCON: Any other comments on the implications of this report to optometry?
Perry: The world of optometry will face rapid change at an accelerated pace with the advancement of consumer-facing technology, its application in health care and integration with EHR. The government continues to demonstrate support for advancing technology through an increasing investment in the MIPS incentive programs. Optometry must be vigilant of technology advancements and embrace trends with ambition and purpose. – Interviewed by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO
Reference:
Center for Connected Medicine. Top of mind for top U.S. health systems 2018. https://www.connectedmed.com/TopofMind2018. December 2017. Accessed February 26, 2018.
For more information:
Karen F. Perry, OD, FAAO, is a member of the PCON Editorial Board and co-owner of the Vision Health Institute in Orlando, Fla., with her husband, Mark Perry, OD. She can be reached at: KFP@compulinkadvantage.com.
Disclosure: Perry is director of professional relations and training at Compulink.