We love a good old-fashioned panel get-together, even when it’s conducted over Zoom. Some may suggest that, rather than old-fashioned, Zoom is newfangled, but that’s a debate that will rage long into the future.
A debate that won’t rage for much longer, however, is just how digitalization in a practice’s daily cataract routine can greatly improve clinic output and patient satisfaction. The numbers and commentary are in, and there’s significant support for this new workflow.
Rather than rely on exposition from this particular writer, let’s get to what the doctors who actually used this new workflow said. For those without the time or inclination to watch the video (though we highly recommend you do), those doctors are:
- Dr. Florian Kretz, medical director and founder at Precise Vision Ophthalmologists in Rheine, Germany
- Dr. Harvey Uy, medical director of the Peregrine Eye and Laser Center in Makati City, Philippines
- Dr. Matthew Russell, founder of OKKO Eye Specialist Centre in Auchenflower, Australia
What the docs say
So, just what is it like using these automated systems, such as ZEISS EQ workplace, to streamline the cataract process? Dr. Harvey Uy is relatively new to this particular system, though he’s been working with Zeiss for many years. As he said: “We’ve been using it for several months now and it’s an amazing system. It’s very intuitive, so our staff learn to use it very easily. What we like the most about it is it greatly increases our efficiency. So we’re now able to import data from our capture devices, like the IOL Master. I use it to plan our surgeries and then send the game plan to the operating room where the nurse just has to activate the system and guide us to perform the most precise surgeries possible.”
Digitizing data and making it more shareable is not only a medical trend of course, but it’s applications in ophthalmic medicine are revolutionary. Dr. Kretz noted that the new workflow saves time and money, while reducing any potential patient stress to minimal levels. Whereas previously his practice had relied on USB sticks to share data, everything is shared online now. This has clearly been a significant improvement. As he put it: “A big step up for us was when we started to use Forum to connect all our IOL Masters in different locations. We have three surgical facilities. With this workflow now, I have the capability to control each IOL calculation from any of our outposts or surgical units. We now have a limited number of very well educated staff and they do all IOL calculations for premium IOLs, and the doctors just double-check. This has all become possible by using this new workflow.”
So, in short, switching to the new workflow has resulted in less (expensive) staff needed, less time spent on each case, and fewer transcription errors. As a long-time user of Zeiss’s cataract equipment, he pointed to major improvements since 2015. If you think about just how different the internet and other digital tech was in 2015, it all fits into the bigger picture.
One example Dr. Kretz gave was the speed with which changes could be made in calculations. Previously, if there were a glitch or a last-minute change needed, patients could get (understandably) anxious during surgery. Now, with the new system, things move so quickly that if a last-minute change is necessary, the calculations will be done in seconds — and patients won’t even know there’s been a change.
Ease of integration
Operating multiple clinics, Dr. Russell’s operation is fully digitized. He told us it’s been a breeze to integrate the new workflow. As he expounded: “It’s completely more efficient. All the lenses we use are in the system and it really is one click to choose the particular lens that we’re interested in.” As early adopters of the system, Dr. Russell’s clinic has seen it grow since its inception. He noted he has particularly enjoyed seeing the system get ironed out until as smooth as it is now.
One question is just how easy it is to integrate any new system into an operating medical practice. Dr. Russell put any concerns to rest quite simply: “Our staff find this quite natural. They do everything on apps or on the web so in fact it was unnatural to be using paper to complete these steps.”
And what a valid point that is. It’s far more complicated, messy, time-consuming, and wasteful to rely on a paper-based system that’s difficult to share rather than a fully digitized system — in basically any industry.
Dr. Uy helped illustrate that point — but in this case with the upgrade from USB sticks to remotely shared data. Think of it as another logical step in the progression from paper to cloud storage.
“We had to do a little retraining. Initially, we had to use USB sticks but then after we linked up all of our systems doing wired connections between our IOL Master, our Forum, and our Callisto, this smoothened the way for us to utilize the system. Our staff is very appreciative of this, and it’s greatly enhanced our productivity.”
At the time of saying that, Dr. Uy was a passenger in a car. He pointed out that if someone asked him right then to give clarification on an IOL, he could pull up his EQ Workplace on his computer while in the car and be able to clear up things immediately.
Imagine explaining today to docs in the past
So, we all know just how far tech has come recently. But seeing it fully realized in the ophthalmic world is truly a sight to behold, and we’re grateful to be part of it — even as mere journalists.
Cheers to the doctors and kudos to Zeiss for their broad vision and meticulous tinkering to deliver solutions that work well for everyone. It’s people like these that are the unsung heroes of civilization.
