SURGICAL SENSE
Let Them Choose MIGS
By Constance O. Okeke, MD, MSCE
Hesitant to give microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) a try? Dr. Okeke offers several reasons to consider implementing these procedures in your clinic, including the procedures’ safety—the risk of serious complications is far lower than with traditional glaucoma surgeries—and the fact that they are easily combined with cataract surgery. MIGS also expands patient options and improves the surgeon’s ability to individualize treatments, she said.
High Regular Corneal Astigmatism
By Preeya K. Gupta, MD; Gregory D. Parkhurst, MD; Karl G. Stonecipher, MD; and Alan N. Carlson, MD
How would you treat a 38-year-old Chinese woman who has a history of lifelong astigmatism that has remained stable in recent years, wears toric soft contact lenses (recently with less comfort), and is highly motivated to undergo laser vision correction? Surgeons contributing to this column debate choices including surface ablation, standard LASIK, and thin-flap LASIK. One common theme throughout their comments is that thorough preoperative examination is a must.
CARE ACROSS GENERATIONS
Caring for Generations
By Damien F. Goldberg, MD; Cynthia Matossian, MD; Marguerite McDonald, MD; Tal Raviv, MD; Vance Thompson, MD; and Dan B. Tran, MD
How does your practice appeal to and educate patients from different age groups? These six contributors offer widely varied tips in response to this question, including the following: building long-term relationships with patients outside of digital efforts; staying abreast of the constantly changing trends in marketing technologies and demographics; keeping in mind that basic human needs do not change, even across generations; acknowledging that a practice’s Internet presence is mission-critical; segmenting marketing strategies based on target audience; and adopting the latest proven and safe technologies.
The Generation Gap Among Ophthalmologists
By Elizabeth L. Yeu, MD
As Dr. Yeu points out, those ophthalmologists now coming out of training—millennials—often desire more consistent feedback, a team approach to patient care, and a sense of egalitarianism. She has found that one key to success in establishing working relationships between millennial and baby-boomer physicians is to create a sense of loyalty that goes beyond the financial aspects of the practice. n
