Surgical Co-Management in Corpus Christi, Texas

Surgical Co-Management

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Corpus Cristi Eye Professionals

(361) 304-5985

5488 South Padre Island, Suite 1308, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 »

CONNECTED CARE FOR A SMOOTHER SURGICAL EXPERIENCE

Coordinated Eye Care Before and After Surgery

Eye surgery often involves more than the procedure itself. You may need an evaluation before surgery, follow-up visits afterward, and ongoing communication between your optometrist and ophthalmic surgeon.

Surgical co-management brings those parts of your care together. Your surgeon performs the procedure, while your optometrist may provide appropriate pre-operative or post-operative care and help monitor your vision as you recover. The American Optometric Association describes co-management as cooperative care between optometrists and ophthalmic surgeons before and after eye surgery.

Corpus Cristi Eye Professionals plans to provide surgical co-management as its medical eye care services expand. Contact our office to confirm current availability and whether we support your procedure.

Your Optometrist and Eye Surgeon Have Different Roles

Co-management does not mean your optometrist performs surgery. The ophthalmic surgeon handles the procedure, while your optometrist may remain involved in other parts of your care.

Depending on your surgery and treatment plan, that may include reviewing your eye health before referral, sharing relevant findings with your surgeon, monitoring recovery after surgery, and helping address ongoing vision needs once healing is underway.

This team-based approach can also give you continuity with an eye doctor who already knows your vision history.

Pre-Operative Eye Care Helps Prepare You for Surgery

Before eye surgery, your care team needs a clear picture of your vision and eye health. Your optometrist may assess how your condition is affecting your sight, review your health history, and determine when a surgical consultation is appropriate.

When co-management is part of your plan, we can also help explain the referral process and share relevant clinical information with your surgeon.

The surgical provider will ultimately determine whether you are a candidate for a particular procedure and make decisions about the surgery itself.

Post-Operative Care Helps Track How Your Eyes Are Healing

Follow-up appointments are an important part of recovery after surgery. Depending on the procedure and your surgeon’s instructions, your optometrist may check your vision, examine the healing eye, monitor symptoms, and communicate any concerns to the surgical team.

For cataract surgery, for example, follow-up care helps ensure the eye is healing appropriately and identify problems that need prompt attention.

Your surgeon and co-managing eye care team will determine your individual follow-up schedule.

Co-Management Can Make Follow-Up More Convenient

Eye surgery can involve several appointments before and after the procedure. When appropriate follow-up can be completed with a local optometrist, you may be able to reduce unnecessary travel to the surgical center while still keeping your surgeon involved in your care.

Corpus Cristi Eye Professionals is open seven days a week, with evening hours Monday through Friday, plus Saturday and Sunday availability.

Some Symptoms After Eye Surgery Need Prompt Attention

Your surgeon will give you procedure-specific recovery instructions, and those instructions should always come first.

After cataract surgery, the National Eye Institute advises contacting an eye doctor promptly if you have symptoms such as vision loss, severe persistent pain, significant redness, or new flashes and floaters.

If you have concerning symptoms after surgery, contact your surgical provider or follow the emergency instructions you were given rather than waiting for a routine follow-up appointment.

Clear Communication Helps Keep Surgical Care on Track

Having multiple providers involved in your care should not leave you wondering who to call or what happens next. Surgical co-management works best when your optometrist and surgeon communicate clearly and each provider’s role is well defined.

We’ll explain our part of your care, help you understand the next step, and coordinate with your surgical team when appropriate.

Ask About Surgical Co-Management in Corpus Christi

If you are considering cataract surgery, laser vision correction, or another eye procedure, contact Corpus Cristi Eye Professionals to find out whether co-management is available for your specific surgery.

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