Ask the Doctor: Vision Correction; Accountable Care Organizations; Pallative Care
Q: I’ve been making do with reading glasses I got at the drugstore, but I would like to to see more clearly. What do you recommend?
A: The first step is having an eye exam. In addition to testing your sight and determining what type of vision correction you need, an exam also can reveal if there are any conditions, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or cataracts, that may require treatment.
In terms of glasses, single vision lenses are appropriate if your distance vision is good and you need glasses only for up-close focusing (when reading, for example).
If your distance vision also needs correction, multifocals, which incorporate more than one prescription in a single lens, will save you from having to switch between two separate pairs. Bifocals have separate areas for near and distance vision, and progressive lenses have separate areas for distance, intermediate (looking at a computer screen, for example) and near tasks. If you select progressives, exercise caution when you first begin wearing them, since, until you adjust to them, you may be at a higher risk of falling. With these lenses, it’s important to angle your head so that you are seeing through the correct portion of the lens for what-ever task you’re doing; otherwise, your vision will be blurred. Some find it easier to adjust to progressives than others.
Q: What is an “accountable care organization”?
A: An accountable care organization (ACO) is a group of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who voluntarily come together to offer coordinated care to Medicare patients. An increasing number of doctors are starting to take part in ACOs, and it is hoped that they will eliminate needless duplication of services (thus resulting in Medicare savings), reduce medical errors, and help patients with several health issues avoid confusion in managing and treating what ails them. For more information, visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.
Q: My husband has a long-term illness, and his doctor has recommended palliative care. Does that mean his prognosis isn’t good?
A: Not necessarily. Palliative care focuses on maximizing quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness by alleviating symptoms, moderating the intensity of the condition, and reducing suffering, as well as by helping patients cope with the side effects of medical treatments. This means that anyone with a serious illness (for example, cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and/or Alzheimer’s disease) can benefit from palliative care.
Palliative care specialists can be involved at the beginning of a serious illness or at any time during the course of the illness, whether the condition is curable or not. It isn’t the same as hospice care, which is designed for terminally ill patients, though palliative care also can help patients navigate through and make decisions about end-of-life care.
—Editor-in-Chief Orli R. Etigin
The post Ask the Doctor: Vision Correction; Accountable Care Organizations; Pallative Care appeared first on University Health News.
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