Cataract Care Is a Team Effort

Cataracts are a natural part of aging — and for most patients, the journey from diagnosis to surgery is relatively smooth. But what often gets overlooked is how essential the first point of contact can be.

Whether you’re the optometrist identifying visual changes during a routine eye exam or a GP fielding patient complaints about blurry vision, your role doesn’t end with the referral. In fact, it begins there.

Co-management creates space for continuity. It gives patients confidence, makes the process less overwhelming, and allows you — as the primary or ongoing care provider — to stay involved in meaningful ways. That’s exactly the approach we take at Dr. Cronje’s practice.

Understanding the Patient’s Experience

For many patients, the idea of eye surgery is daunting. Some worry unnecessarily. Others delay care because they’re unsure what cataracts even are. They may have been managing changing prescriptions or adjusting to glare for years without realising it’s time for something more.

This is where your guidance matters. Often, your explanation is the first moment a patient starts to understand that:

• Their vision loss isn’t just “part of getting older”
• Cataracts are highly treatable
• The process is far less invasive than they imagine
• They won’t be navigating the journey alone

That clarity can make all the difference.

When Cataracts May Be Affecting Quality of Life

Without diagnosing or advising on treatment directly, there are several ways you can help patients explore whether their vision changes may relate to cataracts — particularly when they mention:

• Blurry or hazy vision, even with up-to-date correction
• Sensitivity to light or halos around lights (especially at night)
• Struggling with night driving
• Fading or yellowing of colours
• Frequent changes in prescription that no longer bring relief
• Difficulty reading, watching TV, or performing tasks they once managed easily

These kinds of conversations often lead naturally into the idea of further evaluation with an ophthalmologist.

Your Role in the Co-Management Process

Here’s how co-managing cataract patients with Dr. Cronje works in practice — keeping things collaborative and clear at every step:

1. Initial Identification & Patient Discussion (You)

You’re often the first professional to notice the impact cataracts may be having on a patient’s vision or quality of life. Whether you’re reviewing test results or listening to a patient’s concerns, your insight sets the foundation.

You don’t need to determine surgical need — simply helping the patient understand that an assessment by an ophthalmologist may be worthwhile is already a big step.

2. Referral to Dr. Cronje (Us)

Once referred, our team takes care of:

• A comprehensive diagnostic workup, including advanced imaging and visual function tests
• Educating the patient about cataracts and their surgical options
• Discussing intraocular lens (IOL) choices, lifestyle needs, and expectations
• Scheduling surgery based on urgency and patient readiness

You’ll receive feedback after the consult so you’re always in the loop — no guesswork or black box handoffs.

3. Postoperative Co-Management (Shared, Based on Preference)

Where appropriate, postoperative follow-up can be shared between our practice and yours. This can include:

• Visual acuity monitoring
• Ensuring medication adherence
• Identifying any complications early (which we will manage promptly)
• Communicating patient progress with you directly

If you’d prefer us to handle all follow-up, we can. If you’d like to participate — especially in long-term monitoring — we welcome that too.

What Makes This Process Work

Co-management isn’t about passing the baton. It’s about shared care that respects everyone’s role:

• For optometrists, this means maintaining continuity with patients you’ve seen for years.
• For GPs, it means trusting that a patient’s eye health is managed without dropping the ball on the broader health picture.
• For patients, it creates a consistent experience, with trusted voices guiding them at every stage.

We believe that’s the way cataract care should be — coordinated, not compartmentalized.

Why Co-Manage With Dr. Cronje?

✅ Fast turnaround on assessments and surgery dates
✅ Detailed reports so you’re never left guessing
✅ Post-op coordination that works with your workflow
✅ Modern diagnostics including OCT and precision biometry
✅ Multiple locations: Middelburg, Ermelo, Piet Retief — for patient convenience

We’re also happy to provide referral templates or direct contact lines for urgent cases.

How Patients Benefit From Collaborative Care

• Shorter time to diagnosis and treatment
• Less confusion about the process
• Familiar, trusted professionals guiding them through
• Higher overall satisfaction and follow-through with care
• Better visual outcomes with consistent monitoring

A Better Way Forward for Cataract Care

Cataracts are common. Navigating them doesn’t need to be complicated. With open communication and a team-based mindset, we can help patients move from uncertainty to clarity — and from visual decline to improved independence.

If you’re looking for a cataract co-management partner who values transparency, trust, and patient-first care, we’d love to work with you.