Think first to collaborate with other ODs before referring outside the profession
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ATLANTA — All optometrists cannot be proficient in every area of eye care, but by collaborating with other ODs you can keep your patients in your practice, according to speakers at SECO 2024.
“You can’t be everything when it comes to optometry,” Frances Bynum, OD, owner at Northwest Tennessee Eye Clinic, told attendees. “We should think of the concept of passing [to optometrists], not punting [outside the profession].”
Bynum noted that optometrists often resist referring patients to other ODs for fear of them not being sent back.
Co-presenter Tonya Reynoldson, OD, MBA, senior eye care director at AEG Vision, acknowledged the same could happen with an ophthalmology referral.
“If you think of all of the tools of the trade — fundus photography, autofluorescence photography, OCT, dark adaptation, visual fields, electroretinography/visual evoked potential, A-scan, topography, intense pulsed light/low-level light therapy — we don’t have everything,” Bynum said. “There are times there’s a need for a test we don’t have. Send them out to a colleague to perform the test for you.”
It is helpful to know what technologies other local eye care providers have in their offices, Bynum and Reynoldson said. If you have a piece of equipment that is not working, they could run a test for you and vice versa.
Today’s optometric practices may specialize in certain areas, such as myopia management, vision therapy, injections (iritis, chalazia), removal of lesions, dry eye, low vision, medically necessary contact lenses (sclerals, hybrids), laser procedures, aesthetics, Neurolens and binocular vision disorders.
“How do you go about finding someone who does these things?” Bynum asked.
Reynoldson said her practice has created a list of doctors who offer services she does not.
Bynum said the doctors in her local optometric association share this information with each other.
She noted that optometrists also collaborate with specialists outside of the profession, including neurologists, retinal specialists, rheumatologists, glaucoma specialists, ENT doctors, dermatologists, ophthalmologists and primary care physicians.
Reynoldson said she is aware of other specialists through her hospital’s advisory board.
“We sent out a group email to all of the providers to let them know what we do and ask them what they like to do,” she said.
Bynum said it is important to educate other local doctors on the services you offer so they do not assume you only provide glasses and contact lenses.
Reynoldson joined her local Rotary Club and also participates in a school nurse program.
“A school nurse is an easy one to make a connection with,” Bynum said. “They like people to come in to provide in-services. We put together a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation for school nurses on common things seen in the school system, such as conjunctivitis and contact lens issues.”
When making referrals to other optometrists, clearly communicate why you are sending your patient to them, Bynum said.
“If they don’t send the patient back, you need to talk to them about why,” she said. “Remember that you can also send a patient to a trusted colleague for a second opinion.”
Bynum said a referral to a retinal specialist in her area means the patient has to drive an hour each way.
“You can save the patient that trip by measuring their IOP in your office and providing it to the retinal specialist,” she said.
Reynoldson also suggested inviting your local ophthalmologists to dinner.
“You create more of a relationship this way,” she said.
This presentation was part of SECO’s MedPro360 program, of which Healio is the official media partner.
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Bynum F, Reynoldson T. Best practices of collaboration of care: Passing, not punting! Presented at: SECO; Feb. 28-March 3, 2024; Atlanta.
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