Here are the benefits of Membership

There is a strong business case for Dry Eye Clinics 

“Practices which are not yet benefitting from structured Dry Eye clinics are being urged to set the time aside to experience diagnostic and treatment options first hand; to learn about appointment scheduling; and pricing for sustained practice revenue.  OSA member companies are well versed in what works to ensure patient engagement with good education and a commitment to the treatment plan, reinforced by the DEWS III report,”

Performance Finance’s extensive experience in supporting practices has enabled the team to produce a Dry Eye clinic return-on-invest calculator.

“Our insight into what practices around the UK are finding works best – from both patient and practice perspectives – shows that most are providing 4-6 clinic sessions to get on top of the condition.  Session prices range from £75 to £200, plus there is normally a follow-up treatment suggested every couple of months,” added Stuart.

Hanson Instruments is focused on the economics of proving a highly clinical solution, which can be delivered by the practice support team, leaving the optometrist free to concentrate on eye examinations. Kristen Coleman, Operations Manager, explained –

“The opportunities are as important for optometry as for ophthalmology and we are finding that if a practice has just one patient a week sign up for QMR (Quantum Molecular Resonance), this will cover the capital cost of the technology. This treatment is effective for all types of Dry Eye, whether it be aqueous deficiency, evaporative or Meibomian Gland Disorder.”

Hanson Instruments has an array of devices to help patients to understand their condition, and to engage them with the treatment plan –

“The I-ImmunDX can diagnose what type of dry eye the patient has, by using biomarker technology. The biomarkers enable the clinician to excel and offer the best treatments.  For patients to see their dry eye on screen is a powerful tool.”

Charlotte Timbury, FBDO, EssilorLuxottica Director of Medical & Professional Affairs, North Europe, confirms that advances in technology, coupled with an increasing number of patients needing treatment, are creating new business growth opportunities for practices –

“Treatment options help ECPs meet the needs of patients wanting more comfortable vision but preferring a more manageable solution than eye drops alone. It’s a great way for practices to differentiate, grow their business and attract new footfall.”

EssilorLuxottica will be showing an array of equipment including the diagnostic tool, IDRA; the SL650+ Slit lamp with specific dry eye work-up software; the Activa therapy which includes heat and massage mask for MGD and evaporative dry eye. Tearstim, the portable IPL device for flexible use within the practice and for home visits, will also be on display.

Mainline Instruments’ drive toimprove patient retention and attract new patients through referrals begins with accurate diagnosis and detecting underlying conditions using instruments such as the gold-standard Oculus K5M and the compact Tomey MR6000, says the company.

Guiding patients towards the Envision Platform, this offers therapies designed to tackle the root causes of not just Dry Eye Disease but also blepharitis, demodex, telangiectasia and rosacea.

Also from Mainline Instruments, will be the Forma-I Radiofrequency (RF) therapy which gently warms eyelids to the optimum temperature for liquifying the meibum oil to unblock glands, improve tear quality, reduce inflammation, and tighten periocular skin.

BiB will be demonstrating Thermaeye for MGD –

“Safety is of paramount importance and the Theremaeye provides a built-in light meter for a calibration check prior to treatment ensuring the light levels are accurate and safe. The compact device allows adjustments to be made to the light level, pulses, and the duration to suit all treatments and patient skin types,” said Managing Director, Tim Baker.

Grafton Optical’s OS1000 from SBM Sistemi (pic shown) for Dry Eye and ocular surface analysis, will be available for demonstrations as Kate Nolan, Marketing Manager, explained –

“This fully integrated diagnostic platform combines corneal topography and evaluation with a versatile suite of dry eye and ocular surface assessment tools. The one-click-joystick image and video acquisition can provide complete evaluation of the anterior surface and tear-related structures.

“Three software options – Basic, Plus and Full – allow practices to select the level of evaluation that best suits their clinical requirements. The Full version includes automated interferometry, tear meniscus measurement and blink analysis, as well as blepharitis and comprehensive ocular redness classification. Easy to upgrade software ensures that practices can expand diagnostic capabilities as their services develop.”

Topcon’s TERA Dry Eye Imager with advanced automation provides the data needed for precise diagnosis and care, says the company.  Assessment tools include non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), Meibomian Gland imaging with area loss analysis, tear meniscus height, blink analysis, fluorescein imaging and video acquisition, as well as video review of anterior corneal aberrations.

Aligning all key tests and reporting with the TFOS DEWS III recommendations, the device provides flexibility for clinicians looking to provide optimum dry eye care, believes Topcon, which is supporting practices with an array of marketing tools –

“Our patient-focused marketing tools to promote Dry Eye services include posters for window displays, plus patient leaflets – in paper or email format – which describe the symptoms and causes of dry eye, and what patients can expect from a clinic appointment. A video format of this information is also available for use in the reception area of the practice.”