Choice
Let’s face it, freedom of choice is embedded in American culture. Every day we face making decisions that essentially center around a choice. Perhaps Dr. Wayne Dyer, motivational speaker and past author of over 40 books said it best: “Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.”
Let’s take shoes as an example. About 15 years ago, I bought 2 pairs of Johnston and Murphy kiltie loafers. Different colors. For my frugal tendencies, a little on the expensive side at that time, but they continue to fit and look great. And, both pairs have been re-soled 2 times (as my wife rolls her eyes). The choice to step up and spend a little more money than normal for shoes has turned out to be a solid investment over the long term.
With modern day cataract surgery, we have remarkable advanced technology that allows surgeons to offer state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures to meet patient expectations of refractive outcome. For what seems a majority of patients these days, it simply isn’t just about cataract removal. They often have vision goals that, if successful, can positively impact their lives and lifestyle. This may be particularly true with the baby boomer generation. They commonly want enhanced vision correction with a desired post-surgical focus point, a choice between distance, intermediate, or near vision, or a combination of focal points obtainable with multi-focal IOLs or precise monovision.
And most important, this will be a refractive endpoint for the remainder of their lives, life changing in many instances.
Northwest Eye Surgeons initiated a Vision Correction (VC) program several years ago with the objective of meeting patient post-surgical vision expectations with the best diagnostic tools and implants the industry can offer as well as post-op enhancements. For example, we continually overview the newer IOLs for their reduced aberrations and quality of optics. We were one of the first Puget Sound practices to add femtosecond lasers for capsulorexus accuracy (can improve toric IOL placement) and exact astigmatic keratotomy incisions.
The opportunity for VC is a choice. This allows us to provide the ORA® System with VerifEye+™ technology, toric IOLs, multi-focal IOLs such as the new PanOptix trifocal IOL, and several other added cost features of present-day premium cataract surgery. Further, we include refractive enhancements at no additional charge if the post-surgical outcomes can be improved with either corneal relaxing incisions (for astigmatism), IOL adjustment or exchange, or PRK. We continually evaluate the extra expense for patients who opt for VC. Our goal remains to provide value and outcomes at an affordable price for your patients.
Insurance covers most of the cost of standard cataract surgery, which for many patients works well. With VC, we raise the bar of post-operative refractive accuracy to enhance your patient’s lives. Through analysis of post-surgical measurements of visual acuity (as shown in the adjacent chart) and patient satisfaction surveys, we continue to monitor the feedback and achievements of the VC program. Note that the one-month statistics in the graph are prior to any additional VC enhancements which further improve VC results. Patients are consistently happy with their VC choice, and we believe that you will be too.
One-month post-surgical 2018 to mid-2019 data at one of our ASCs, non VC and VC1 (pseudophakic emmetropia was desired and excludes toric IOLs). VC1 is 50% more likely to achieve 20/20 uncorrected visual acuity vs. non-VC. This chart is prior to consideration of (no charge) enhancements.
Brett G. Bence, OD, FAAO
Partner, Director of Optometry at Northwest Eye Surgeons
It can be challenging to put yourself in the place of a patient facing cataract surgery. First and foremost, there is a concern regarding surgery and risks to their sight. Beyond that, the attention shifts to the desired refractive outcome. This is a choice and one that their family eye doctor can provide guidance. People have diverse measures of quality of life. Sharp, colorful vision ranks high on most people’s list. As pioneers of a Vision Correction program, we take pride in our collaboration with optometric physicians to meet and often exceed the expectations of your patients facing cataract surgery. Finally, will I have Vision Correction with cataract surgery someday? Absolutely.
