New This Week
Office Design Gives Your Practice a Competitive Edge
Barbara L. Wright, CID, of Barbara Wright Design, created a new office for Thao Truong, OD, of ForSight Eye Center in Cumming, Ga., that incorporates rich materials and personal touches in an open and airy environment. With attention to details like layered lighting, accent colors and unique textures, the design of the dispensary makes for a top level optical retail space in a medical setting. When design elements work well together, they differentiate a practice and provide a competitive edge. >>READ MORE>>
Software Solutions/EHR
By April Jasper, OD, FAAO
Electronic health records can boost the productivity and efficiency of your practice—and save you thousands of dollars per month. >>READ MORE>>
Contact Lenses
More Frequent Replacement Makes for Long-Term Contact Lens Patients
By Charles Turner, OD
Shortening the contact lens replacement cycle increases patient comfort. This, in turn, increases patient loyalty and generates referrals. >>READ MORE>>
Digital Strategy
Practice Web Site Plus Facebook: A Marketing 1-2 Punch
By Alan Glazier, OD, FAAO
Your practice web site is your primary marketing tool—and your Facebook page can be a powerful adjunct to generate new patients and fill out your appointment book. Once you understand the features of each medium, you can make them work together. >>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
Do Post-LASIK Patients Buy Plano Sunglasses or OTC Readers?
In addition to being more likely to wear plano sunglasses and OTC reading glasses, refractive surgery / LASIK patients were also more likely to have purchased plano sunglasses and/or OTC readers during the 12-month period ending March 2011. During this period of time, surgery patients bought 5.17 million pairs of plano sunglasses and 1.71 million pairs of OTC readers.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on how to sell more eyewear to post-LASIK patients.
In Brief
Transitions Optical Launches Online Marketing Wiz for ECPs
Eyecare professionals can now visit the Transitions Marketing Wiz–a new, online marketing tool and guide from Transitions Optical–to build an interactive marketing plan for their independent practices. Found at TransitionsMarketingWiz.com, the Marketing Wiz provides eyecare professionals with guidance and resources for assessing the needs of their practice, retaining current patients, acquiring new patients and increasing revenue through a variety of strategies and tactics.
>>READ MORE>>
Sun Protection Factor Evaluation System Released by Essilor
Essilor of America has introduced an “Eye-Sun Protection Factor” (E-SPF) to drive consumer awareness about the importance of protecting eyes from damaging UV rays. Inspired by the systems used to rate skincare and sunscreen products, the company says this new evaluation system reinforces its commitment to UV defense, following the recent launch of a new generation of Crizal No-Glare lenses. >>READ MORE>>
ROB Poll Results
Readers Say Patients’ Top Need-to-Know: OD’s Can Address Medical Eyecare Needs
Asked what optometric patients most need to be educated about, 42 percent of ROB readers said patients need to know their eye doctor can do more than just prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses–that they can also address their eye health needs. Twenty-five percent said patients most need to learn about the impact of the sun’s ultra-violet rays on their eyes and how to protect their eyes, while 17 percent say patients need to understand the importance of annual comprehensive examinations. Eight percent said their patients need to be educated about why they should comply with contact lens care and how best to do it, while another 8 percent said parents need help understanding how to best care for their children’s eye health and vision needs.
