Posted by: Mann Eye in Co-Management

Welcome to our inaugural edition of The OD Advocate, our information-packed monthly newsletter. We hope you’ll enjoy the content we’ve presented, and of course, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Retina Review: A Case Study by Amir Mohsenin, MD, PhD

HPI

  • 83 years old 
  • Caucasian male
  • Referred for distortion and a black central spot in the right eye for the last 2 months

VISION

  • OD:  20/100
  • OS:  20/20

SIGNIFICANT EXAM FINDINGS

  • OD: drusen, subretinal hemorrhage and atrophic changes in the macula
  • OS: macular drusen

FUNDUS PHOTOS

OD:

OS:

OCT

OD:

OS:

DIAGNOSIS

  • Wet age-related macular degeneration, right eye
  • Dry age-related macular degeneration, left eye

PLAN

  • Same-day treatment with intravitreal aflibercept (Eylea) OD followed by a series of 2 more monthly aflibercept injections. Complete exam after the third injection.
  • Recommend healthy diet (Mediterranean), exercise, sun protection, no smoking and AREDS II vitamins
  • Amsler grid

F/U

  • 1 month for aflibercept injection #2 OD

OUTCOMES

  • Vision went from 20/100 OD to 20/20 OD after 2 injections
  • OCT shows improved retinal anatomy and resolution of the subretinal hyperreflective material.

OD before injection:

OD after 2 injections of aflibercept:

PEARLS

  • Wet AMD only accounts for ~10% of all AMD but is responsible for 90% of AMD- associated vision loss.
  • AMD is the number 1 cause of vision loss in patients over age 65 in the USA
  • Biggest modifiable risk factor is smoking. I really push the patient to quit and will keep doing so every visit if they are a smoker. I also recruit family members to help them quit and recommend they ask their PCP for programs and/or medications to help. 
  • New conversions from dry to wet AMD should be seen urgently. The biggest fear is a large submacular hemorrhage like this one:

As always, feel free to contact me directly via phone or text with any questions. If I don’t answer I may be in surgery or with a patient. You can always reach my office manager, Betsy Roberts at (713) 791-9620 or my surgical coordinator Debbie Rider at (713) 791-1790 as well.

Team Spotlight: Provider Relations Coordinator, Kelly Launza

Meet Kelly Launza, our Provider Relations Coordinator for the Central Territory of Houston.

Kelly has been in ophthalmology for 22 years, the last six with Mann Eye. Her experience includes a wide range of clinical and surgical ophthalmology. 

Outside of work, she’s a mom of three, and her world revolves around them. When she’s not engaged with middle school football, she’s in front of the TV watching her favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Tip of the Month: How to Refer a Patient

At Mann Eye, we are committed to partnering with doctors in our community to provide exceptional care and leading edge technology to all patients. It is our goal to maintain a strong relationship between the referring doctor and the patient by making sure the patient understands your important role in co-management.

Our Co-management Team has made the referral process easy and effortless for you! We are eager to contact your patients to schedule their appointments and answer their questions. 

Here are three easy ways to refer your patients:

  • Fax the Referral Form​ 
  1. If you’re in Houston, use this form, and fax to (713) 580-2507​.
  2. If you’re in Austin, use this form, and fax to (512) 564-8242.
  • Call the Co-Management Phone Line​
  1. If you’re in Houston call Grace Lau or Brenda Infante at (713) 580-2506​
  2. If you’re in Austin, call Kristin Rickman at (512) 879-3754
  • Email Co-Management Team
  1. If you’re in Houston, email us at refer@manneye.com
  2. If you’re in Austin, email us at referatx@manneye.com

The referral form makes it easy for you to communicate:

  • Which provider you would like your patient to see
  • Which Mann Eye location you’d like your patient to be seen at
  • The reason for the referral. 

HOUSTON REFERRAL FORM
AUSTIN REFERRAL FORM
We look forward to working with you and are confident your patients will have an amazing experience with Mann Eye! 

Upcoming Continuing Education Event

Topic: Triaging Retina: Is This a Retinal Emergency?
Host: Amir Mohsenin, MD, PhD
Date: Thursday, February 25th
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST
 

SIGN UP FOR EVENT

Why Cataract Surgery Should Not Be Postponed

We’ve had many patients ask us about elective surgery at this time; specifically, cataract surgery. Should they? Shouldn’t they? So much information and varying opinions have understandably caused some confusion, and with the hope of bringing some clarity, we want to address it.

Here Are Some Tidbits We’re Telling Our Patients:

  1. Cataracts can worsen over time, and the longer you wait, the harder they are to remove. Cataracts cannot be treated with medication, diet or eye drops, and they will not heal on their own. Cataracts must be surgically removed to restore clear vision. And as cataracts mature, they become denser and more difficult to remove. We like to tell our patients that the best time to have cataract surgery is when cataracts begin to have a negative impact on their daily lives and tasks.
  2. ASCs vs. Hospitals. Cataract surgery at Mann Eye IS NOT performed in a hospital, but in a trusted Ambulatory Surgery Center. The truth is, an ASC is probably the safest place for you to receive the care you deserve. Why? Because ASCs do not treat sick patients. Additionally, ASCs are held to extremely high safety standards. They are highly regulated healthcare facilities and must comply with many regulations at the federal and state level. Thanks to the pandemic, ASCs are being held to even more stringent requirements for safety and infection prevention.
  3. Clear vision is key to maintaining safety (even in your own home). According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and can come with significant economic and personal costs. While not all falls are due to poor vision and depth perception, of course, many are.
  4. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to complete vision loss. This sobering fact doesn’t need more words to convey its seriousness.
  5. At Mann Eye, we go above and beyond to safely serve you. The health and safety of our patients and team members are of great importance to us. Rest assured, we are taking every measure to continue keeping you safe.

If you have any questions about referring your patient for cataract surgery at this time, we’d love to hear from you!