Co-management of patients with diabetes.

Co-management of the diabetic patient emphasizes interdisciplinary care between optometry and ophthalmology, and between optometry and the patient's primary physician. For the optometrist and the patient's primary physician, the emphasis is on written communication with regard to the ocular health of the patient's eyes. The optometrist also participates in educating patients about the complications related to diabetes mellitus, as well as reinforcing medical compliance and encouraging lifestyle changes for better health. By providing this scope of care, optometry becomes an integral part of the health care team. Between ophthalmology and optometry, the success of co-managing diabetic patients will be dependent on several factors, including demonstrating expertise in managing diabetic retinopathy, making timely and appropriate referrals based on results from national clinical trials, and developing a trusting relationship built over time. This paper emphasizes the multi-dimensional role the optometrist plays in the co-management of the diabetic patient with the patient's primary physician and with the ophthalmologist in treating and managing diabetic retinopathy.