ARLINGTON, Va.—A new resource to improve communication between diabetes care clinicians and eyecare professionals is available from The American Optometric Association (AOA), in partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retinal Specialists and the National Eye Institute. The new Eye Care Interprofessional Communication Protocol includes two algorithms with narrative explanations detailing the recommended processes for eyecare-related communications, as previously reported in VMAIL. The first algorithm focuses on appropriate referrals and eyecare coordination for patients diagnosed with diabetes. The second algorithm offers guidance for eyecare professionals who want to refer patients suspected to have undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes.
“Eye doctors are critical members of the broader healthcare team that provides comprehensive care for the 133 million Americans living with diabetes and prediabetes. Unfortunately, many patient’s living with diabetes do not know that they are at an increased risk of vision loss caused by diabetic-related eye disease,” said Valerie Sheety-Pilon, OD, vice president of clinical and medical affairs at VSP Vision, a Visionary Partner in the Focus on Diabetes initiative. “By providing these interprofessional communications protocols, we can better support all healthcare providers in their important work to collaborate and serve those patients living with diabetes.”
As part of the ADA’s ongoing commitment to increase awareness about the connection between diabetes and eye health, the Focus on Diabetes initiative, in partnership with Visionary Partners, VSP Vision and Regeneron, supported this effort.
Download the free protocol.