LONDON, April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Cynthia Matossian, Joseph C Noreika, US Ophthalmic Review, 2016;9(1):41-5 http://doi.org/10.17925/USOR.2016.09.01.41

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Published recently in US Ophthalmic Review, the peer-reviewed journal from touchOPHTHALMOLOGY, Cynthia Matossian and Joseph C Noreika discusses Current trends and recent legislative changes that have increased the pressure to control healthcare costs, especially those associated with running ophthalmic practices. These factors have driven practice consolidation, reduced consultation times, increased use of electronic health record systems, and encouraged more meaningful use of technology. At the same time, patient expectations and standards of clinical care are both rising. This climate could discourage investment in new technology and encourage increased intensity of service, with higher patient throughput at the risk of decreased quality of care. This situation emphasizes the traditional value proposition model in which quality, time, and cost are closely interrelated; decreasing time and/or cost negatively affects quality.

The use of wavefront technology and the development of the 'XFraction' process, however, have challenged this model. Using the Optical Path Difference III (OPD-III) and Total Refractive System-5100 (TRS-5100), substantially greater amounts of higher-quality data are derived from ophthalmologic patients in shorter examination times than with other refraction instruments. Their use provides an improved patient experience, greater patient throughput, and more time for the physician to precisely tailor the treatment to match the condition. In practices that have acquired the OPD-III, it has become indispensable in vetting patients for intraocular lenses (IOLs), advanced corneal refractive surgery, and preoperative identification of various optical issues. Experience at an example practice shows that optional use of OPD-III examination is high and it is increasing, despite patients incurring out-of-pocket fees. XFraction technology, therefore, is a route to more satisfied patients, greater efficiency, and profitability; and it can help ophthalmic practices thrive amid increasingly adverse commercial and medical pressures.

The full peer-reviewed, open-access article is available here:

http://doi.org/10.17925/USOR.2016.09.01.41

Disclosure: Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, and Joseph C Noreika, MD, have nothing to disclose in relation to this article.

About touchOPHTHALMOLOGY

touchOPHTHALMOLOGY (a division of Touch Medical Media) publishes the US Ophthalmic Review, a peer-reviewed, open access, bi-annual journal specializing in the publication of balanced and comprehensive review articles written by leading authorities to address the most important and salient developments in the field of ophthalmology. The aim of these reviews is to break down the high science from 'data-rich' primary papers and provide practical advice and opinion on how this information can help physicians in the day to day clinical setting. Practice guidelines, symposium write-ups, case reports, and original research articles are also featured to promote discussion and learning amongst physicians, clinicians, researchers and related healthcare professionals.

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