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C CLINICAL RESEARCH

or calcineurin inhibitors (immunomodulatory agents) can be used as off-label treatments if the symptoms/signs are
uncontrolled with the current medication(s).

INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION
Allergic diseases are on the rise in Canada and around the world. While several practitioners may see patients with
allergy as the initial point of contact, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to maximize the treatment outcomes
for patients with allergic conjunctivitis and other ocular allergic diseases. The optometrist, primary care provider,
and allergist all play important roles in the management of ocular allergy. Figure 8 shows the conditions when a
patient should be examined or treated by an optometrist, a primary care provider, and an allergist.

Figure 8: Interprofessional collaboration - Conditions for patient referral to an optometrist, a primary care provider (PCP),
and an allergist. PCP = primary care provider.

Figure 8.

24 CANADIAN JOURNAL of OPTOMETRY | REVUE CANADIENNE D’OPTOMÉTRIE VOL. 80 NO. 3

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