May 6, 2015
Aaron Lech, OD, FAAO, of ClearVue Eye Care in Roseville, Calif., set up a visual skills clinic, as part of his plan to broaden the services that his practice provides. The clinic occupies a dedicated space, adjacent to his main office, but with a separate entrance. That way, it remains interconnected with his practice so that clinician and vision therapist can work closely together, but the clinic can stay open into the evening hours to accommodate families. Some 80 percent of the vision therapy patients are pediatric, so the practice invested in high-tech, hands-on training equipment that encourages interactivity. Dr. Lech says that a key component in treatment success is family commitment. The practice found that they got more commitment from children and parents by demanding commitment. For example, they established a policy (and stick by it) that both parents must be present for an evaluation so that decisions can be made quickly.
ACTION POINTS
CLINICIAN AND THERAPIST MUST WORK CLOSELY. A team approach is most effective.
SET UP SEPARATE HOURS, ENTRANCES. Work with families when they are available.
DEMAND COMMITMENT TO GET COMMITMENT. Treatment success will increase.
Aaron Lech, OD, FAAO, owns ClearVue Eye Care in Roseville, Calif. Contact him: drlech@clearvue.org
