This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.

My career has had many highlights so far. From training as an ophthalmologist in China to relocating to the US, conducting glaucoma research, pursuing my optometry degree at SUNY, and eventually joining a group practice, each step has been important in shaping my journey. However, my latest venture has been the most rewarding. Eleven months ago, I followed my passion and opened a cold-start myopia management practice. Here are the most important lessons I’ve learned.

Lesson 1: Building Patient Trust One Step at a Time

My philosophy revolves around patient-centered care and focuses on building the practice one patient at a time. This approach allows me to dedicate sufficient attention to everyone. When recruiting staff, I prioritize qualities such as friendliness and a genuine desire to work with children and parents because fostering comfort is crucial to helping families feel at ease when asking questions and engaging in myopia treatment discussions. Starting out was challenging, but the sizable Asian population in my community also played an important role in establishing trust with patients and parents, especially with only one other Chinese eye doctor in proximity. Despite our minimal marketing efforts, word of mouth and patient referrals helped my practice excel.

Lesson 2: Tailoring Treatment with Inclusive Consultations and Advanced Instrumentation

In my practice, we use a wide range of myopia management therapies, including ortho-k, soft lenses, and atropine. Each patient's myopia journey starts with an examination. We then personalize our approach when identifying suitable candidates for each therapy by facilitating in-depth conversations with both parents and children to determine the most appropriate therapy based on their individual goals and lifestyles. Our larger exam rooms are integral to each family’s involvement in appointments because we can fit everyone in the room at once. Additionally, our advanced instrumentation—topography, OCT, and autorefraction equipment—not only ensures accurate data collection, but also showcases our ability to provide the best care.

Lesson 3: Developing Protocols and Personalized Care

I'm creating a standardized myopia management protocol that will guide the treatment process for me as a solo practitioner. This framework can eventually be shared with other providers as my practice expands. I’m also incorporating my personalized approach into these protocols to achieve the balance of standardization and individualized attention on which my practice thrives. For example, I schedule the first recheck for ortho-k patients one week after they receive their initial treatment, rather than the following morning as I was taught. I offer my cell phone number to these patients so they can reach out for a conversation before their initial recheck if they have questions or concerns. I also make it a point to contact patients or their parents after three to four days to check on their progress and comfort.

My journey of establishing a myopia management practice has been one of growth and fulfillment. By prioritizing patient trust and personalized treatment approaches, my passion has allowed me to contribute positively to my community's eyecare needs.