EyeWorld India December 2021 Issue

FEATURE 6 EWAP DECEMBER 2021 by Ellen Stodola Editorial Co-Director Patient education on different IOL options P atient education prior to IOL implantation is incredibly important, both for patients to understand the different options and optimal choices for their situation and for physicians to understand patients’ goals to help them make the best choice. Two surgeons discussed how they educate patients about the options available and the process they use to choose a lens. ‘Our job is to provide the vision that people are looking for’ Kerry Solomon, MD, said he has patients start to think about lens options before even coming into the office. “We send information to them via text or direct them to our online resources,” he This article originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of EyeWorld . It has been slightly modified and appears here with permission from the ASCRS Ophthalmic Services Corp. said. Dr. Solomon mentioned the Ocular Innovations software his practice uses, which provides customized patient education at home before they come in. He encourages patients to bring a friend or family member on their visit. “I’m a big believer in providing enough information for them to be able to make better decisions,” he said. Dr. Solomon said he focuses on what a patient’s goal are. He asks if the patient wants to be less dependent on glasses, and if so, do they want to be less dependent for distance or for distance and near? “Based on preferences, we try to find the technology or technologies that would best fit the patient’s needs and lifestyle,” he said. All of these steps are done in one appointment, Dr. Solomon said, so it’s efficient, but the patient has had the time to think about the choices and talk to family members before coming in. For the patient who wants distance vision, Dr. Solomon said there are a variety of options, including monofocal lenses, toric IOLs, and the Light Adjustable Lens (RxSight). “The Light Adjustable Lens has been terrific for treating larger amounts of astigmatism,” he said, noting that this can be a good option for patients who have any irregularity or have had previous refractive surgery. “We’re not worried as much on the front end about measurements,” Dr. Solomon said. With this option, careful refractions can be taken after the lens is implanted and the patient Contact information Rao: naveen.k.rao@lahey.org Solomon: kerrysolomon@me.com