A new website that is dedicated to dry eye disease aims to connect patients with an optometrist and / or ophthalmologist who is passionate about treating the debilitating condition.
Patients with dry eyes often feel discomfort and try many different drops without success. This has a detrimental effect on their quality of life, enjoyment of friends and family, and productivity at work. Dry eyes can leave patients feeling in pain, unsupported and alone.
Developed by therapeutic optometrist Leigh Plowman, dryeyedirectory.com aims to attract people who are using Google to search for dry eye phrases, e.g. dry eye treatment, then provide education about mild, moderate or severe dry eye, and encourage them to book an appointment with a local practitioner. The site has a growing directory of dry eye practitioners from Australia, New Zealand, USA among other countries.
Mr Plowman, who practices full time in Colac, Victoria and has a keen interest in dry eye disease, said the site helps patients feel supported on their dry eye journey, and helps practitioners feel valued for their expertise, while reducing the increasing public health burden of dry eye.
“The website is connecting optometrists who provide dry eye treatment into a larger movement, and providing a list of professionals that other optometrists can refer patients on to when necessary.
“Optometrists and ophthalmologists who list themselves on the directory are benefiting from more new patient appointments, increased professional variety and satisfaction, and the collegiality that comes with being part of a team that has an interest in this area,” he said.
Listings on the directory are free of charge and interested optometrists and ophthalmologists simply need to visit dryeyedirectory.com/join to complete the form with their details along with current treatments offered. Multimedia and social profiles can also be included.
Mr Plowman also uses his knowledge of video marketing, search engine optimisation and email marketing to help independent practices build their online presence and drive increased revenue.
