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Healthy Sight Counseling Checklist

When incorporating Healthy Sight Counseling (HSC) into a busy eyecare practice, ECPs and other members of the practice may want to review each patient visit to ensure that the best possible vision care has been provided.

Here is a simple, 10-point checklist to make it easier to integrate the components of HSC (see "Adopting Healthy Sight Practices" for more information) into your practice.

1. Have you identified and addressed the patient's chief complaint? Pay close attention to how your patients describe their vision problems.

2. Has an ophthalmic history been taken? Did your patient mention any previous ocular disease, trauma, or surgery? Does she wear contact lenses or eyeglasses or use any topical eye medication?

3. Has the patient's medical history been reviewed? Does the patient suffer from any current systemic or chronic diseases? Has he had a prior surgery? Review all medications your patient is using, both prescription and OTC.

4. Has the family history—ophthalmic and medical—been considered? Patients may not be aware of how the health of family members may relate to their health.

5. Has a patient lifestyle history been obtained? Occupation, recreation, computer use, and many indoor and outdoor activities can affect ocular health and vision needs.

6. Has a comprehensive ophthalmic exam been performed? A customized eyeglass prescription encompasses both the quantity and quality of vision, taking into account the real-life issues that affect vision on a daily basis.

7. Have you identified any special considerations for this patient? Disease, medical, and lifestyle issues, and risks that can have a negative effect on ocular health are important. Also, remember that children are more susceptible to the effects of UVR exposure.

8. Have the appropriate eyeglasses been prescribed for the patient's eyes and visual lifestyle? It is imperative to prescribe eyeglasses that will help address each patient's specific needs based on his or her visual lifestyle.

9. Is the patient aware of his or her role in achieving healthy sight? HSC is a partnership between you and your patient. Make sure patients are aware of what they can do to help preserve the health of their eyes.

10. Are you and your patient satisfied with the visit? Has the visit been as productive as possible? If so, you can be assured that you are helping your patients achieve a lifetime of healthy sight. EB

QuickTips
When looking at visual lifestyle, remember to consider: single vision and progressive lens designs, impact-resistant lenses, photochromic lenses, AR coatings, polarized lenses, and UVR blockage.