Issue link: https://optometricmanagementsupplements.epubxp.com/i/587112
32 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N 2 0 1 5 • O P T O M E T R I C M A N A G E M E N T . C O M OPTOME TRIC MANAGEMENT FE ATURE HOW TO BETTER EDUCATE PATIENTS ABOUT THE OVERNIGHT WEAR EXPERIENCE THE EMMETROPIC EXPERIENCE Heat her Webst er, O.D. E VERY PATIENT deserves an emmetropic experience…" Words from a colleague from Norway, a country that leads the world in prescribing contact lenses for extended wear, 1 that made me stop and think about prescribing extended wear in a diferent light. I am always evaluating the risk profle of what I prescribe. We know there are risks associated with both refractive surgery and sleeping in contact lenses* — rare ones like per- manent vision loss with surgical pro- cedures and microbial keratitis (MK) with contact lenses, as well as more common ones like corneal infam- matory events (CIE). And I know that I am well trained and equipped to handle these rare occurrences in my practice, the contact lens-related complications in particular. But this statement made me think about the patient's real need, and I wondered whether I could engage in a more productive dialogue with my patients who want the option of sleeping in their contact lenses by better understanding their point of view, instead of approaching it solely from a risk perspective. So I looked into just how prevalent this need is and what is behind it. THE NEED Te Global Strategic Insights (GSI) team at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., had some interesting things to share from their research. I was reassured to see that vision and health are still at the top of the list for patients, along with comfort. Tis reminds me that there is still an opportunity to educate about what's important to me, knowing it's also important to them. Te second reassuring thing was that the percentage of people seeking the convenience of extended wear was actually small, around 15% of the 3,500 people surveyed, but their need was quite strong. Tese are not just the "poke-a-phobes," those people who don't like putting anything in their eye, but people with a genuine need for "always on" vision – people like emergency workers, medical residents, young parents – who have a frequent and unexpected need to be immediately ready to deal with life at odd hours. Practicing in a town that is medically driven, I see these patients ofen, and they deserve to have their needs met just as much as a contact lens patient who is able to utilize daily disposable lenses. What this taught me is to probe a bit deeper about my patients' lifestyles, and to consider ofering this option to my patients with these emergent needs, at least for that period of their life, provided they understood all the risks and alternatives. One great tool that has recently been made available through a part- nership with the American Optomet- " THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE SEEKING EXTENDED WEAR WAS SMALL . . . BUT THEIR NEED WAS QUITE STRONG.