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Many Optometrists have realised that their patients are often willing to pay for ‘peace of mind’ and this can be used to fund an OCT, a Sydney seminar has heard.
Optometrist Jim Kokkinakis, from The Eye Practice in Sydney, said the clinical value of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been clear for many years, but many optometrist shy away from purchasing this equipment, believing they can’t justify or recoup the cost.
But he said, apart from the clinical benefits, OCT also provides a valuable marketing tool, allowing a practice to create a “point of difference” and, therefore, stand out from the crowd.
Mr. Kokkinakis was speaking at a Carl Zeiss seminar – OCT: Clinical and Practice Building Pearls’ – held in Sydney in March. The seminar, worth three continuing professional development points, was attended by 90 people.
“The clinical value of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been clear for many years and it is now being considered by general eye care providers everywhere,” Mr. Kokkinakis said. His presentation demonstrated the wide clinical applications from posterior segment to anterior segment.
Mr. Kokkinakis said many optometrists wrongly believed they could not afford OCT equipment, but in his experience, patients were willing to pay for the additional ‘peace of mind’ provided by such diagnostic equipment.
He said he had personally seen the relief on his patients’ faces after OCT diagnosis provided reassurance on their eye health.
