AAOpt 2023: Anterior segment in the next generation of optometry

Tracy Doll, OD, FAAO, sat down with Optometry Times®' editor Kassi Jackson to share an overview of her 2023 American Academy of Optometry meeting presentation, "Anterior Segment Symposium: Drop, Pulse, Cut or Implant? Next Generation Optometry," which she co-presented in New Orleans.

Editor's note: This transcript has been edited for clarity.

Kassi Jackson:

Dr Doll joins us today to share highlights from her anterior segments symposium, which she co-presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting this year in New Orleans. So welcome, Dr Doll.

Tracy Doll, OD, FAAO:

Thank you so much. Yeah, it was a really exciting and fantastic presentation for the American Academy of Optometry anterior segment team. The title of the presentation was called, "Drop, Pulse, Cuts, or Implant? Next Generation Optometry."

With my co-presenters, what we did was take patient cases and apply them to the latest and greatest in ocular surface anterior segment therapy. We talked about whether it's best to go for the biologic drop, intense pulsed lights, surgical interventions, or new implanting technology. So, it was really fun. We had a great time together talking about how we would approach a patient from different angles. So, it was great time.

Jackson:

Sounds like it. So, what are some key takeaway points that you want to make sure to drive home?

Doll:

What we want the optometry community to know is that advanced treatment options are not scary [and] they're not inaccessible. They offer a different realm of things that you can give to your patients when classic interventions don't necessarily work.

Jackson:

So why is this topic important for optometrists to address. You kind of alluded to that, but can you expand a bit?

Doll:

Yeah, it's important to understand how far we can really go within our scope to offer patients results from not being able to feel and see well. So when we talk about the scope of optometry and what we can do, by the way, both in the United States and Canada we're going to discuss, that really gives us an idea of what we can do with our patients. Some therapies are definitely more integratable in different locations than others. So, it really kind of goes across the entire scope of what we have available to us.

Jackson:

Wonderful. What does this mean for patient care?

Doll:

What this means for patient care is that we have more options for patients when it comes to anterior segment pathologies, particularly in the realm of ocular surface dryness and corneal pathologies.

Jackson:

It sounds like it was a great lecture. Thank you so much for taking your time today, Dr Doll.

Doll:

Thank you so much.