Early detection of eye conditions is crucial for treatment. Traditionally, eye conditions have only been diagnosed by ophthalmologists during an annual eye exam, which can be problematic because not all patients go to yearly eye exams. Furthermore, some patients may not have insurance or access to care.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) can help alleviate this problem by examining their patients’ retinas during a regular checkup. Primary care providers can use Optomed’s Aurora camera to detect potential eye conditions. This can increase the number of patients who get tested, leading to earlier detection, better prognosis, and improved treatment options.
How PCPs Can Help Detect Potential Eye Conditions
If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy, a common condition for patients with diabetes, can lead to blindness and other vision problems. One issue of diabetic retinopathy is the lack of symptoms for which a patient would seek help. Often, the disease is already advanced when patients seek treatment.
PCPs can be the first line of defense against eye conditions. By examining their patients’ retinas during a regular checkup, they can detect diabetic retinopathy and other conditions before symptoms present. PCPs can offer retinal screenings using Optomed’s Aurora camera in their regular practice. Screenings can take place at an annual wellness check, when patients come in with other complaints, or during at-home visits. PCPs can even set up a drive-thru screening center specifically to scan patients for eye problems.
The increased convenience and availability of retinal exams can motivate more patients to receive screenings for eye conditions. Increasing the number of patients receiving screenings supports early detection. Ultimately, PCPs can improve the prognosis and treatment options for their patients with eye conditions by utilizing Optomed Aurora in their practice.
How Optomed Aurora Supports the Early Detection of Eye Conditions
Optomed Aurora is a retinal camera that can easily be used by PCPs or trained assistants. As a powerful screening tool, it supports the early detection of eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy.
The Aurora camera is a handheld device that can be incorporated into your practice to encourage patients to be examined for diabetic retinopathy. It produces high-quality images that can detect retinal problems before patients even notice any symptoms. Aurora is compatible with most electronic medical records, allowing you to easily transfer images and notes to specialists.
Primary Care Providers Can Save Patients’ Eyesight
Optomed Aurora is a powerful tool that can prevent blindness in patients who might otherwise forego retinal exams. Patients may avoid visiting an ophthalmologist for many reasons but still see their primary care provider. Patients with diabetes, who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, are especially motivated to see their PCP to mitigate and treat complications of their condition.
As a PCP, you interact more frequently with your patients than a specialist, particularly an ophthalmologist. Your patients trust you and feel more comfortable receiving care, asking questions, and following your recommendations. Including a retinal camera in your practice is a great way to improve the care that you provide every day.
Optomed Aurora allows you to do retinal screenings in your office. Offering this service to your patients helps you detect potential issues before complications arise, leading to a better prognosis. You can more easily refer your patients to a specialist when you have evidence of disease. Aurora makes it easy to screen and treat your patients in a comfortable environment. Ultimately, Optomed strives to help you detect potential issues early on and prevent the possibly expensive and harmful consequences of waiting.
Learn more about Optomed and how the Aurora camera can improve your practice and enhance the lives of your patients.
Here at Optomed, our mission is to help save the vision of millions of people. By integrating our software and artificial intelligence solutions with our camera, we enable eye screening for everyone, wherever they are. To see how we can equip you to save the sight of more patients, schedule a free consultation today!