Vision Source forms network to support patients on chronic treatment

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Vision Source announced here at its annual meeting the June launch of a clinician network designed to comanage patients being treated for chronic disease.

The national My Treatment Monitor network was designed to improve outcomes for patients living with and taking medications for diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, hyperlipidemia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release from Vision Source.

Vision Source vice president and chief medical officer, Paul Williams, OD, explained in the release that with the launch of My Treatment Monitor, Vision Source is providing, “system-wide collaborative eye health and vision care in support of physicians providing care and treatment for patients with chronic disease ... to effectively ensure quality and safety, ... close care gaps and further improve patient outcomes.”

At a press conference held during the Vision Source annual meeting, Williams said that one of the challenges is that, “chronic diseases have sophisticated medications available to help improve quality of life, but they come at significant cost and side effects.

“Our first outreach is the medication for multiple sclerosis,” he continued. “There are more than 400,000 people in the U.S. with MS, and 200 new people are being diagnosed every week.”

Macular edema is a side effect of MS treatment, Williams said.

“Medication is huge in improving quality of life,” he said. “Patients need to be monitored; however, the monitoring is haphazard.”

Prescribers will know that optometrists in the My Treatment Monitor network will have, “the infrastructure, instruments and knowledge to safely and effectively monitor their patients ... when they prescribe that medication,” Williams said at the press conference. “Eye care providers will be an integral part of that health care system.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Disclosure: Williams is employed by Vision Source.