Routine eye exams are essential for healthy vision. Not only are they needed to ensure eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions are kept up to date, but yearly exams provide a chance for eye care practitioners to assess the overall vision health and potentially identify early warning signs of serious eye diseases. Still, most patients want to get in, get out, and get on with their lives. Fortunately, there are simple, proven strategies doctors can implement to accelerate patient exams and...

Cataracts are a common problem among older eye care patients. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of all Americans age 80+ either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove cataracts. Together with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness or low vision in the United States. What are cataracts? Cataracts affect the normally clear lens of the eye, which sits directly behind the pupil. With cataracts, the...

One of the most important pieces of equipment in any exam lane is the phoropter, used to measure refractive error. The device, which resembles a large mechanical mask, is made up of cylinders, prisms, and lenses that enable eye care professionals to determine the ideal prescription strength for patients who wear glasses or contact lenses. In the past, doctors referred to all refraction systems—both manual and digital—as phoropters. However, thanks to recent advancements in technology and the...

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 was a driving force behind the nationwide adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) technology, which allows health care providers to quickly and securely share important patient information across a broad digital infrastructure to ensure optimal health outcomes. And by 2014, practitioners across the United States were required to show proof of their implementation of EMR technology, which means you have likely been using an EMR system...