Optometrists urged to embrace laser surgery

The global eye care business has established the scheme with the Centre for Sight, the refractive clinic which last week performed the first surgery in the UK using B&L's Zyoptix 100 Excimer.
It is hoped the pilot will lead to the setting up of a national scheme.
B&L recognises that optometrists are often the first professional group that members of the public consult on whether or not they should seriously consider surgery.
The scheme is intended to encourage refractive outlets to form 'closer partnerships with optical practices referring patients back for aftercare check-ups'. This will follow B&L seminars in which optometrists can gain more knowledge on the treatment, and ultimately help them retain interested patients.
B&L is to invite a group of practitioners from the south east to join the pilot scheme, and attend a two-day seminar scheduled for early 2004 at the East Grinstead-based clinic.
The seminar will be led by Centre for Sight medical director Sheraz Daya and will focus on the business proposition for eye care professionals, with sessions on:
Referral protocol
Provision of a balanced care programme
A pre- and postoperative patient care plan
'Training and application opportunities'.
In addition there will be the chance for those invited to watch live surgery and talk to patients. The audience will also be encouraged to discuss the issues themselves and share best practice.
Andrew Webb, UK commercial director for Bausch & Lomb Surgical said: 'We understand that opticians and optometrists are often the first point of call for patients interested in laser eye surgery. We want to help them give advice and guidance to patients by providing them with information about the treatment available, including the benefits and industry research.
'As a manufacturer of leading eye care solutions we are in a position to offer advice and training on the new treatments and build the relationship between optical practices and refractive clinics. This will not only benefit patients, but will also ensure that all possible business opportunities are maximised.'
Read the comments of ophthalmic surgeon Sheraz Daya on page 8.A pilot project aimed at helping optometrists work more closely with refractive clinics has been announced by Bausch & Lomb.
The global eye care business has established the scheme with the Centre for Sight, the refractive clinic which last week performed the first surgery in the UK using B&L's Zyoptix 100 Excimer.
It is hoped the pilot will lead to the setting up of a national scheme.
B&L recognises that optometrists are often the first professional group that members of the public consult on whether or not they should seriously consider surgery.
The scheme is intended to encourage refractive outlets to form 'closer partnerships with optical practices referring patients back for aftercare check-ups'. This will follow B&L seminars in which optometrists can gain more knowledge on the treatment, and ultimately help them retain interested patients.
B&L is to invite a group of practitioners from the south east to join the pilot scheme, and attend a two-day seminar scheduled for early 2004 at the East Grinstead-based clinic.
The seminar will be led by Centre for Sight medical director Sheraz Daya and will focus on the business proposition for eye care professionals, with sessions on:
Referral protocol
Provision of a balanced care programme
A pre- and postoperative patient care plan
'Training and application opportunities'.
In addition there will be the chance for those invited to watch live surgery and talk to patients. The audience will also be encouraged to discuss the issues themselves and share best practice.
Andrew Webb, UK commercial director for Bausch & Lomb Surgical said: 'We understand that opticians and optometrists are often the first point of call for patients interested in laser eye surgery. We want to help them give advice and guidance to patients by providing them with information about the treatment available, including the benefits and industry research.
'As a manufacturer of leading eye care solutions we are in a position to offer advice and training on the new treatments and build the relationship between optical practices and refractive clinics. This will not only benefit patients, but will also ensure that all possible business opportunities are maximised.'
Read the comments of ophthalmic surgeon Sheraz Daya on page 8.