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The future of teleoptometry will evolve with: Integration of AI in diagnostics and personalized care Increased use of AI diagnostics in detecting diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration AI systems that integrate systemic health data, particularly diabetes, with ocular data for personalized remote care AI-assisted devices for home use (e.g., devices that monitor retinal … Continued

Strategies for Effective Patient Engagement and Education “The use of telemedicine in optometry may in certain circumstances be appropriate for establishing a doctor-patient relationship for an initial diagnosis. Telemedicine in optometry should not be used to replace partial or entire categories of care available in-person where the doctor-patient relationship is strengthened through personal face-to-face interactions.”–2022 … Continued

Lack of a Physical Examination Certain subtle cues from patients, such as body language and eye contact, which are essential to forming a good doctor-patient relationship, are often lacking in remote care. Technological Barriers Failures in transmission of data, equipment reliability, initial patient set-up, and the need for high-quality imaging can lessen the effectiveness of … Continued

Informed Consent Informed consent for patients must clearly recognize the limitations of telemedicine. It is recommended that optometrists develop a standardized informed consent form for their teleoptometry services. This document should explain diagnostic limitations resulting from the lack of an in-person examination and potential data inaccuracies and the risks associated with delayed or incorrect diagnoses … Continued

Licensing Considerations 1. Synchronous Teleoptometry “Unless otherwise permitted by law or regulation, doctors of optometry delivering telemedicine in optometry must be licensed in the state which is the originating site and must abide by that state’s licensure laws and regulations.” –2022 AOA Position Statement Regarding Telemedicine in Optometryi. In the U.S., optometrists who use teleoptometry … Continued

When contemplating using teleoptometry, optometrists should develop a strategic plan for their practice. Important considerations include identifying clinical scenarios that best fit the use of teleoptometry and determining the scope of teleoptometry services offered (i.e., minor red eye evaluations, refills for ocular medications, comprehensive examinations, etc.). It also essential to assess the practicality of implementing … Continued

Many advanced technologies are available today to assist optometrists in conducting eye care services remotely. Some devices are incorporated at the home of the optometrist or patient, whereas others are operated by trained technicians or opticians at an outside clinic or site. By leveraging advanced technologies, teleoptometry can ensure high-quality, efficient, and accessible eye care. … Continued

Screening and Triage of Ocular Conditions One of the primary clinical applications of telemedicine in optometry is screening and triage of ocular conditions. Most importantly, this application of teleoptometry allows optometrists to quickly and effectively assess a patient’s eye health remotely and determine the urgency of the presenting ocular conditions and need for an immediate … Continued

The three telemedicine categories that optometry falls under are: 1. Asynchronous (store-and-forward) Teleoptometry: This modality entails efficient collecting of data from the patient at an in-person clinic or at home before the optometrist reviews the data. Specifically, asynchronous teleoptometry includes collection of some or all the following: the patient history, anterior segment and retinal images, … Continued

In 2022, the AOA updated their 2020 “Position Statement on Telemedicine in Optometry” policy by consulting with experts from many fields, including eye care, health care, telehealth platforms, artificial intelligence, and practicing clinicians.  The 2022 revised position statement, which will be referenced throughout this educational activity, may be accessed at: https://www.aoa.org/AOA/Documents/Advocacy/position%20statements/AOA_Policy_Telehealth.pdf. At this time, the … Continued

Telemedicine in optometry is most likely here to stay; therefore, optometrists need to be aware of this technology and its clinical uses and implications.  Before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, use of telemedicine had been steadily increasing in the United States for several years, with only 15% of physicians in-office using telemedicine in 2010-2019 (Healthit 2023). … Continued

In broader terms, telemedicine is a service that delivers medical care remotely between a clinician and patient (i.e., without an in-person clinic visit) via information-communication technology.  In addition to clinical services, telehealth may encompass remote non-clinical services, such as administrative meetings, continuing education, and clinician training.  Teleoptometry, or teleophthalmology, is a form of telemedicine that … Continued