PART 7 OF A 10-PART SERIES
Discussions Around Neurostimulation Treatments
In this, Part 7 of our series, Real-World Answers From Experts in Dry Eye Disease, our experts discuss one of the more interesting new therapies: TrueTear®, a device for neurostimulation treatments that helps patients create more of their natural tears.
Jerry Robben, OD
Jerry Robben, OD
Bowden Eye & Associates
Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. Robben is the Chief Optometric Physician at Bowden Eye & Associates. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Arizona College of Optometry. He is a Founding Partner of Dry Eye University and a Founding Member and contributor of Dry Eye Access. He attended graduate school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he received a second bachelor’s degree in Vision Science and his Doctorate in Optometry. During his externships, Dr. Robben had extensive training in binocular vision disorders and vision therapy. He also focused on pediatric care, contact lenses, low vision, and ocular disease. With a background in clinical education, Dr. Robben started a student doctor externship program, and is also an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor for the Arizona College of Optometry where he supervises the 4th Year Optometry Resident Doctors who are completing their externships for graduation. Dr. Robben is a leader in the treatment and management of Dry Eye Disease and has been recognized as a national speaker and educator on the subject. He frequently speaks in educational settings for optometrists, technicians and ophthalmologists across the country.
It is an exciting time for the treatment of Dry Eye Disease.
Moderated by Dr. Jerry Robben
Moving on from Part 6: Strategies for Dry Eye Prescription Out-of-Pocket Expenses, this article focuses on the options new diagnostic tools and dry eye treatments are giving clinicians the opportunity to deliver a higher standard of care. In this article, I look at one such innovation—a neurostimulation treatment called TrueTear®.
How do you discuss neurostimulation treatments with patients?
Patti Barkey, COE
Patti Barkey, COE
CEO
Bowden Eye & Associates
Jacksonville, Florida
Patti Barkey created Dry Eye University and is a member of the ASOA Board of Directors which works with ASCRS to bring an annual program for education. Ms. Barkey is CEO of Bowden Eye & Associates and the Eye Surgery Center of North Florida, an ambulatory surgery center which specializes in dry eye. She is also a founding member of Dry Eye Access, and Director of Dry Eye University and Dry Eye Partners, the consulting side of Dry Eye University.
I’m excited about TrueTear® and recommend it for many patients. I let them know how it addresses all layers of the tears and that it’s an innovative neurostimulation treatment for their Dry Eye Disease. It’s definitely new to them, and I recommend they discuss and try the device with our dry eye counselor. It’s a complementary treatment to drops and procedures that we offer, and we need to address their condition in multiple ways. I let them know about our success stories and how patients who utilize the device love it.
Walter Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO
Walter Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO
Virginia Eye Consultants
Norfolk, Virginia
Walter Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO serves as the Director of Optometric Services and Residency Program Supervisor at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia where his practice encompasses ocular surface diseaseA number of conditions constitute ocular surface disease, including: Dry Eye syndrome, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, blepharitis, rosacea, allergies, scarring from glaucoma medications, chemical burns,…, glaucoma, surgical co-management, clinical research and the supervision of an extensive referral network. Dr. Whitley is a nationally recognized author and lecturer on topics ranging from ocular disease, surgical co-management, pharmaceuticals and practice management topics. He serves as Co-Chief Medical Editor for CollaborativeEYE and contributing editor for the Review of Optometry.
Laura M. Periman, MD
Laura M. Periman, MD
Evergreen Eye Center
Seattle, Washington
Laura Periman, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained cornea and refractive surgeon and Ocular Surface DiseaseA number of conditions constitute ocular surface disease, including: Dry Eye syndrome, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, blepharitis, rosacea, allergies, scarring from glaucoma medications, chemical burns,… Expert. She knew she wanted to be a doctor since the age of 12 and always seen eyes as the key defining feature of every person. Her interests in molecular biology began with winning the Terry Spies Memorial Scholarship at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center as an undergraduate at Willamette University in Salem, OR.
Her interests in immunopathophysiology took root during her work in Research and Development at Immunex Corporation in the Molecular Biology Department prior to attending medical school at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. During medical school, she received the Rex and Arlene Garrison Oncology Fellowship, the Western Medical Student Research Committee Award for Excellence and was elected to the honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Upon graduation with honors, she also received the Georgianna Kirby Award for outstanding patient dedication and compassion.
Dr. Periman completed her Ophthalmology Residency as well as Cornea/Refractive Fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is an international lecturer on Ocular Surface DiseaseA number of conditions constitute ocular surface disease, including: Dry Eye syndrome, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, blepharitis, rosacea, allergies, scarring from glaucoma medications, chemical burns,.... She has nine peer reviewed publications, two chapters, a review article and independent study in press, and has written extensively on the topic of Ocular Surface Disease. Her unique and passionate perspective on OSD stems from her work in immunopathophysiology. She is an innovator and enthusiastic speaker who loves bridging the gap between basic science, clinical practice and patient compassion.
As Director of Dry Eye Services and Clinical Research at Evergreen Eye Center Seattle, WA she combines her clinical care passion, scientific drive and innovative creativity to provide first class Ocular Surface Disease management.
For more information on Dr. Periman, please visit her website www.dryeyemaster.com.
It is important to start by selecting the right patient. We all have established patients who remain dissatisfied with traditional treatments, and we all have new patients who don’t want to use drops or who prefer “natural” solutions. By starting with the right patient type, patients are much more receptive to the concept.
Richard Adler, MD, FACS
Richard Adler, MD, FACS
Belcara Health
Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Richard Adler is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute and Director of Ophthalmology at Belcara Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Adler completed his medical training and residency at Johns Hopkins as well as a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Adler has published numerous papers and speaks nationally on topics related to the unique challenges of Dry Eye Management.
Adam Ramsey, OD
Adam Ramsey, OD
Iconic Eye Care
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Adam Ramsey, OD serves as the Medical Director of Iconic Eye Care in Palm Beach Gardens FL. Dr. Ramsey’s practice encompasses ocular surface diseaseA number of conditions constitute ocular surface disease, including: Dry Eye syndrome, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, blepharitis, rosacea, allergies, scarring from glaucoma medications, chemical burns,…, glaucoma, surgical co-management, macular degeneration care and diabetic eye exams. Dr. Ramsey is the current President of the Palm Beach County Optometric Association and is also the Vice-President of T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society an affiliate of National Medical Association. He also serves as the Chief Optometric officer for Seminole Health Indian Reservation for the state of Florida servicing 3 locations.
Frank W. Bowden, III, MD, FACS
Frank W. Bowden, III, MD, FACS
Bowden Eye & Associates
Jacksonville, FL
Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, had his fellowship as a cornea specialist at Wills Eye. He is President, Medical Director and Founder of Bowden Eye & Associates, President and Medical Director of Eye Surgery Center of North Florida, LLC. He is also a Founding Partner of Dry Eye University and a Founding Member, Advisory Board and Contributor of Dry Eye Access. Previously, he was an Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Florida, Jacksonville.
Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, founded Bowden Eye & Associates in 2001, focusing the practice on comprehensive eye care; custom cataract surgery; refractive and LASIK surgery; glaucoma surgery and laser therapy; treatment of Dry Eye Disease and other ocular surface disorders; corneal transplantation; and corneal and external diseases. As a fellowship-trained cornea specialist, he is uniquely qualified to treat Dry Eye Disease; corneal abrasions, inflammations, ulcers, scarring, injuries and infections; keratoconus; as well as pediatric corneal diseases. He also specializes in corneal transplantation using advanced techniques such as PKP, DSAEK, and DALK.
Sarah Darbandi, MD
Sarah Darbandi, MD
Bowden Eye & Associates
Jacksonville, FL
Dr. Sarah Darbandi is a fellowship trained cornea specialist. She is the Vice-President, Owner and Director of Aesthetic services for Bowden Eye & Associates. She is also a Founding Partner of Dry Eye University and a Founding Member, Advisory Board and Contributor of Dry Eye Access.
She attended Medical School at West Virginia University, then went on to residency in Ophthalmology at the West Virginia University Eye Institute. With her interest in corneal transplantation and refractive surgerySurgical procedures that correct common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce dependence on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses., she then completed a fellowship in Albany, New York, in Cornea and Refractive SurgerySurgical procedures that correct common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce dependence on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.. In 2015, she became partner and Vice President of Bowden Eye & Associates. Dr. Darbandi provides general ophthalmic care, custom cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, ocular surface reconstruction, and refractive surgery.
Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, ABES
Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, ABES
Matossian Eye Associates
New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, is the founder, CEO, and medical director of Matossian Eye Associates with multiple offices in PA and NJ. She specializes in refractive cataract surgery and dry eye disease. She was named one of Ocular Surgery News’ Premier Surgeon 300—an elite group of 300 premium refractive cataract surgeons in the US. She was the 2017 winner of the Ophthalmic World Leaders Visionary Award. She has been named one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs in New Jersey and one of New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct) at Temple University School of Medicine. Contact Info: cmatossian@matossianeye.com.
It can be very exciting for the practice and patient to find a new option such as neurostimulation treatments that can help manage Dry Eye Disease. For many patients, living with Dry Eye Disease can be frustrating, and when patients are frustrated, staff members become frustrated, too. Providing something new can help to improve or prevent that frustration. So the excitement around TrueTear® is legitimate, even if it is fairly new, but it does not completely solve the problem for every patient.