As we shared a few months ago, investing in advanced technology is a must for every medical practice. Adding equipment with up-to-date technology allows your practice to operate at maximum efficiency and create a more positive patient experience.

Optometric Management recently published a list of five “must-have” technologies which the magazine suggests that every eyecare practitioner consider for their practice. These technologies are described as technologies that will make your life easier while minimizing “administrative burden” and instilling “patient loyalty and referrals.” Below is a quick look at each.

Digital Appointment Scheduling – The author of the article, Ben L. Larson, O.D., shared that his practice uses digital scheduling software that is linked directly to the practice’s website. Patients are able to schedule an appointment without calling and can do so at any hour, which has led to an increase in word-of-mouth referrals. Additionally, the practice’s staff is able to focus more on patient care and less on administrative duties.

Patient Intake Forms on Your Website – Adding patient intake forms to your website offers extra convenience to your patients and the staff of your practice, by eliminating the need to provide the patients with several handouts …

At Optos, we are always trying to find ways to help professionals and patients communicate better and get the best results from tests. With these goals in mind, Optos has developed a helpful new iPad app to accompany the already versatile OptosChart digital visual acuity system.

Our app, Chart Remote, is designed to control the OptosChart visual acuity testing systems, as well as perform near vision testing via an iPad. The OptosChart is compatible with several of the commonly used USB Wi-Fi adaptors, including Linksys, Belkin, Netgear, and DLink. The app’s software will automatically detect the Wi-Fi signal from the USB Wi-Fi adaptor allowing you to connect your iPad via an ad hoc network, or through the wireless LAN network in your clinic.

In addition to serving as a remote, the Chart Remote app offers a synchronized on-tablet chart display. This means you will no longer need to memorize another optotype or read the chart along with your patients to confirm the responses of your patients. The Chart Remote app also streamlines patient registration and data input, as well as allows you to archive, email, or print visual acuity reports.

The OptosChart digital visual acuity testing system  …

While representatives from Optos are constantly in the field talking to eyecare professionals about our products and technology, we really enjoy the chance to talk to groups of professionals at conferences and trade shows. Optos regularly attends these events, creating an educational opportunity for practitioners to learn more about our retinal imaging devices, as well as how more and more studies are proving the benefits of ultra-widefield imaging.

Optos recently had a presence at Optrafair, one of the largest shows in the industry in the UK, and we stayed busy sharing information with attendees about our Daytona device and autofluorescence imaging.

Optrafair attendees listen to a talk about Daytona and autofluorescence imaging.

Our representatives also attended a meeting of the Pacific Retina Club, at which Optos’ technology was featured in 11 presentations, including the keynote address from Dean Elliot from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary on Retinoplexy. We also had representatives present at the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society Midyear Meeting, where we were able to share about Daytona and our 200Tx with many attendees. Additionally, Optos’ technology had some exposure when it was also featured recently in two papers published in Retina: The Journal …

Has a patient ever given you a funny look when you’ve asked questions about his or her medical history? It’s probably because the patient was expecting you to stick to eye and vision questions, rather than overall health questions. Many times, patients don’t realize that systemic issues can be detected through an eye exam, or that such issues could be the reason behind changes in vision.

With World Hypertension Day coming up on May 17, it’s a good time to talk to your patients about how hypertension can affect their vision and health, especially if they have been diagnosed with hypertension in the past or if they have a family history of the condition. A few points to share with your patients include the following:

Vessels in the eye can change or become damaged as a result of elevated blood pressure. The perfusion of the retina can also be damaged and eye tissue may not receive enough oxygen. Nerve cells can die, which creates an increased risk for thromboses, leading to blurred vision or blindness. Many people aren’t even aware that they have hypertension or don’t experience symptoms, which is why it’s often referred to as the “silent …

Helping practitioners keep their patients’ eyes healthy is what we’re all about here at Optos, so, although Healthy Vision Month is only officially observed in May, every month is healthy vision month for us! However, we’d like to encourage all practitioners to get involved with Healthy Vision Month this year, especially because this year marks the 10th anniversary of this opportunity to encourage everyone to take action to protect sight, prevent vision loss, and maintain vision for years to come.

As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shares, lots of people are living with undetected vision issues, diseases of the eye, and other problems that can be detected through an eye exam. Healthy Vision Month was created to help promote viewing vision as a health priority. A few ways the Healthy Vision Month website suggests you can accomplish this includes:

Adding eye-health facts and statistics to your practice’s website, newsletter, or social networking sites, and provide a link to the Healthy Vision Month website Placing eye-health posters throughout your practice Setting aside your own Healthy Vision Day or Week and issue a statement about it, encouraging everyone to schedule an eye exam each year and to encourage habits …