Profiles in Practice Success
Treating Patients Like Family

THE PRACTICE: Henry D. Perry, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a partner at Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI). The practice has two offices in the Long Island town of Rockville Centre, with four satellite offices in Long Island as well, at Hauppauge, Lynbrook, Stoney-brook and Valley Stream.

PRACTICE SUMMARY: OCLI staffs 150 employees, including one administrator, two public-relations specialists, two optometrists and 17 full-time ophthalmologists. The ophthalmology team includes five corneal specialists, three glaucoma specialists, two retina specialists, six general ophthalmologists and one refractive surgeon.

SURGICAL FOCUS: OCLI logs approximately 40% cataract surgery, 20% glaucoma, 15% retina, 15% cornea, and 10% refractive surgery. Dr. Perry specializes in refractive surgery, cataract surgery and cornea/external disease.

PREFERRED INSTRUMENTS: Haag-Streit slit lamp, Humphrey Atlas Corneal Topography System, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II optic nerve analyzer, Amadeus microkeratome, Hansa-tome microkeratome, VISX Star S2 excimer laser, and the TouchTear Micro Assay system.

Dr. Perry uses these instruments at OCLI's surgery center, which opened last year.

PREFERRED MEDICATIONS: Timoptic XE, Xalatan and Ocuflox. Dr. Perry says, "I use Ocuflox because it's the best antibiotic. It penetrates well, and allergic reactions are rare.

"I also use Acular PF because it's an excellent nonsteroid. It contributes to the best cataract surgery outcomes."

GROWTH AREAS: Dr. Perry has noticed growth in OCLI's surgery center as a result of outside surgeons using the center. "It's important to have positive experiences with other medical groups," says Dr. Perry. "Positive experiences engender cooperation."

SLOW SPOTS: "I've seen a reduction in corneal transplant cases due to fewer problems associated with small-incision cataract surgery," says Dr. Perry. "Another factor in the slowing down of corneal transplants is that intraocular lens (IOL) implants are better tolerated today than a decade ago."

These slow spots have given Dr. Perry extra time to focus on refractive surgery.

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY: "I approach each patient as if he or she is a member of my family. Patients are the key to building and maintaining a practice.

"When not seeing patients, I concentrate on extracurricular activities and the investigation of new pharmaceuticals. Operating in a large group practice allows me to focus on writing articles and giving presentations, so I can make our practice known outside of our own ophthalmology community, while making us attractive for drug studies.

"I believe patients identify with these studies and see that we're staying current with the latest trends in medicine."

Hank D. Perry, M.D., is a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center.