Viewpoint: Time to Prepare to Offer In-Office Laser Care?
In this month’s cover feature, “Pre-paring to Offer In-Office Laser Procedures” (p.7), Drs. Brooke Major, Emma Strunks, and Nathan Lighthizer address the question of whether it’s time to ready your practice for this technology.
Clinical Scorecard: Time to Prepare to Offer In-Office Laser Care?
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Age-related eye diseases (e.g., cataract, glaucoma) Key Mechanisms In-office laser procedures such as yttrium aluminum garnet capsulotomy and selective laser trabeculoplasty Target Population Americans aged 65 and older, particularly in rural areas Care Setting Optometric practices offering in-office laser procedures
Key Highlights
Low negative outcome rate (2 out of 146,403 procedures) for optometrists performing laser procedures Projected increase in older adult population needing eye disease interventions by 2050 Significant shortage of ophthalmology workforce anticipated by 2035 Recent legislative changes expanding optometric scope of practice for laser procedures In-office laser care can provide a new revenue stream for practices Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify age-related eye diseases prevalent in the target population Management
Implement in-office laser procedures as a treatment option Monitoring & Follow-up
Track outcomes and patient satisfaction post-procedure Risks
Consider potential complications and ensure proper training for optometrists Patient & Prescribing Data
Older adults, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to ophthalmologists
In-office laser procedures are effective and can address the growing demand for eye care
Clinical Best Practices
Prepare optometric practices for the integration of laser procedures Educate optometrists on the latest laser technologies and techniques Advocate for legislative support to expand the scope of practice for optometrists References
