Walt Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO, joins Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, to discuss patient communication strategies. The two share techniques for how to educate patients about their conditions, treatment options, and management by being direct and relatable. They also stress the value of making it a team effort with the patient when it comes to improving their condition. 

Staying ahead in patient care and business growth requires the right knowledge and tools. In the first installment of the EMPOWER: Business + Optometric Specialty Care series, Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO; Diana Chu, OD; and Ashley Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Dipl ABO, explore the critical role of corneal health and how specialty lenses can transform patient outcomes.

This month on The MOD Pod, host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, welcomes guests Josh Davidson, OD, FAAO, FSLS, and Marlon Monelyon-Demeritt, OD, MBA, FAAO. Dr. Koetting and Dr. Davidson discuss the relationship between sleep and risk level of dry eye disease, with Dr. Davidson citing studies that support this connection. Dr. Monelyon-Demeritt shares simple and effective ways to keep staff engaged. 

Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, and Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, convened to discuss the current state of ocular surface disease, including the progressive nature, patient communication and symptoms, new and upcoming therapies, and more. 

Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, invites John Gelles, OD, FAAO, FIAO, FCLSA, to review risk factors and red flags that all optometrists should know for detecting the early signs of keratoconus. Dr. Gelles shares insights from a study on pediatric keratoconus and highlights the importance of screening and treating patients before the disease progresses. 

This month on The MOD Pod, Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, invites Kriti Bhagat, OD, FAAO, to talk about key signs of keratoconus and the importance of screening family members. Dr. Bhagat also explains her strategy for encouraging patients to try specialty contact lenses. Continuing the keratoconus conversation, Dr. Koetting has Mitch Ibach, OD, FAAO, and Samantha Rivet, OD, join her to discuss the early detection of keratoconus as well as advances in corneal cross-linking procedures, as they consider the potential for optometrists to take a larger role in delivering these treatments in the future.

In part two of this podcast, Darryl Glover Jr., OD, invites Britt E. Gustafson, OD, and Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO, to share considerations when presenting contact lens options to patients—focusing on chair time, comfort, and cost. They explain how Alcon WaterInnovations™ technology allows them to address patient needs and focus on comfort in contact lens wear.

Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, invites Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO, to discuss the role of optometrists in diagnosing and referring patients with geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, and other retinal conditions. They will also discuss the integration of artificial intelligence and at-home monitoring technology to help manage these patients.

On this month's episode of The MOD Pod, hear Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO, talk to host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, about treatment compliance and ocular surface disease in patients with glaucoma. Also in this episode, Dr. Koetting invites Nora Lee Cothran, OD, FAAO, to discuss the different relationships involved in the comanagement of patients undergoing MIGS procedures. 

Darryl Glover Jr., OD; Britt E. Gustafson, OD; and Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO, discuss contact lenses as an integral pillar of their practice success. They review how technology, such as Alcon’s WaterInnovationsTM portfolio, helps them differentiate their practice from competitors by customizing fit and comfort to each patient. They also explain how to present this new technology and educate patients about their options. US-DT1-2400098

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