Dr. Moshe Mendelson


SUNNYVALE, Calif.—For years now, the eyecare sector has been experiencing a steady surge of interest in telehealth options, both from patients and ODs. Fast-forward to the onset of the pandemic, the ensuing lockdowns and phased-in reopenings have only speeded up the popularity of telehealth as ODs find new ways to interact and communicate with their patients and provide them with a more meaningful eyecare experience.

Today, as eyecare practices are reopening across the country, the attraction of telehealth still remains strong. For Moshe Mendelson, OD, FIAO, of Silicon Valley Eye Physicians in Sunnyvale, Calif., telehealth has become his preferred medium, specifically for myopia management consultations.




For Moshe Mendelson, OD, telehealth has become his preferred medium, specifically for myopia management consultations.


“In person myopia management consultations tend to be lengthy and therefore stressful for some young adults and their parents. It also may be challenging to get both parents to be present for the evaluation and consultation visit. And occasionally, it is difficult to get parents undivided attention as they need to attend to their children,” Mendelson said.

“Virtual consultations which take place at the patients’ home tend to be more relaxed and are convenient both for the parents and the ECP. The doctor gets the parents’ undivided attention. This option also satisfies social distancing and may be less intimidating especially for young kids.

“When the initial encounter is performed at the patient’s home it helps build trust and rapport during the early phase of a doctor-patient relationship. I also believe that more parents are open to the option of a courtesy at-home conversation with the ECP who can educate parents about why myopia progression needs to be controlled, how it is done, as well as discussing the various methods which are available,” he said.




 
Silicon Valley Eye Physicians, serving the community for more than 60 years, is an OD/MD office which provides medical and surgical care to all age groups.



Mendelson said it is a well-known fact that convenience plays a key role with respect to who patients/consumers decide to engage with for their health care needs. Doctors at Silicon Valley Eye Physicians have been offering telehealth services for over three years and more consumers are inclined to engage via telemedicine as it presents a more convenient option. “We felt that offering telehealth services provides a competitive advantage, enhanced doctor-patient relationship and better outcomes. Personally, I felt that in order for our profession to stay relevant we must engage in telehealth. This served as an impetus for the creation of EyecareLive which is a telehealth platform dedicated exclusively to optometry and ophthalmology,” said Mendelson, who is a cofounder and chief medical officer at EyecareLive.

Dr. Mendelson is among the first ECPs in the country to be certified to prescribe CooperVision’s Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program featuring MiSight 1 day.

Silicon Valley Eye Physicians, serving the community for more than 60 years, is an OD/MD office which provides medical and surgical care to all age groups. The practice features an Optical Galleria which has a virtual component in addition to the physical dispensary. In addition to general eye and vision care, the practice also specializes in myopia management featuring a dedicated wing within the clinic.