Photo courtesy of Dr. Brian Sirgany (center), who is pictured here with Head Optician and Optical Manager Victoria Wentworth (left of him as you look at photo) and Dr. Kristy Dean, an associate in the practice. The practice team is finding Avulux lenses to be a great hit with migraine sufferers, who tell them the lenses make a huge positive impact on their lives.
Changing patient lives and practice prospects with Avulux
Sponsored Content
By Brian J. Sirgany, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO
June 11, 2025
Finding effective solutions for patients suffering from migraines has always been a steep challenge.
So, I was excited last year to discover a new lens technology that is dramatically changing the lives of my patients with migraines for the better: Avulux.
Nearly 10 months after integrating this innovative product in my practice, I see what a game-changer it has been—not just for my patients, but for the growth of my practice as well.
Driven by patient demand and the need for differentiation, I embarked on a journey to explore how this technology could enhance patient care and set my practice apart in a competitive landscape.
In this article, I’ll share my insights on the Avulux onboarding process, the real-life impact on patients and how embracing new solutions can lead to significant practice growth.
Understanding the Need for Avulux
Before Avulux, I struggled to help migraine patients effectively. I had tried various lenses and tints, hoping to find something that would work for them. After conducting due diligence and meeting with the Avulux team, it became clear that this product made sense for my practice. With a portfolio already filled with differentiating lenses, Avulux fit in seamlessly.
A Streamlined Onboarding Process
Integrating Avulux into my practice was surprisingly easy. The initial investment was just a few hundred dollars, and includes everything my practice needed to get off to a fast start with Avulux: Avulux lens demos, print materials for patient discussions, virtual training sessions for the staff and practice marketing support.
In about three hours, my opticians were fully trained and ready to go. As part of becoming a provider, we received demo lenses for our patients to try in the chair or at dispensing, allowing them to experience the benefits firsthand. For patients experiencing light sensitivity in that moment, the impact is immediate!
I currently have around 20 patients wearing Avulux lenses, and with the addition of clip-on options, that number increases even more.
Real-Life Success Stories
One of the most impactful stories involved a patient who had suffered a concussion from a car accident. Previously, she struggled to enter grocery stores due to her sensitivity to light. After trying the Avulux demo, she called me immediately, amazed that she could walk around the store without discomfort. The next day, she visited Lowe’s and experienced the same relief.
Many patients have reported that once they wear Avulux, they feel immediate strain when they remove the lenses. The harsh lights in stores can trigger migraines, causing anxiety and an inability to focus. However, with Avulux, they feel calm and soothed.
Building Patient Trust and Referrals
The intangibles of patient satisfaction are significant. Many of my patients have shared their positive experiences with family and friends, creating a cumulative effect that builds our reputation. Interestingly, we haven’t engaged in any paid marketing aside from a single radio ad discussing migraines. We have had success leveraging the social media posts that the Avulux marketing team provides, of which we plan to do more.
I foresee Avulux becoming a major profitability player for us. The referrals are increasing, and patients appreciate the unique solutions we offer—something that other doctors may not provide.
Integrating Avulux into Patient Care
We utilize an intake form for general headaches, but the real discussions happen in the exam room. We ask about light sensitivity and the frequency of headaches. I anticipate that more patients will inquire about Avulux due to recommendations from friends or co-workers.
We’ve encountered close to zero pushback on recommendations for Avulux lenses. Patients who have tried everything else are eager to find a solution that works.
I liken Avulux to a rescue inhaler; when a migraine begins, patients can put on the lenses or clip to gain relief—providing them with a sense of control over their symptoms, and allowing them to get on with their daily activities.
Educating Staff and Building Confidence
With new staff members joining my practice, I prioritize educating them about Avulux and sharing success stories during our weekly meetings. This builds their confidence in recommending the lenses to patients.
Avulux is not covered by managed vision care, which makes this product especially valuable to our practice. Low insurance reimbursements don’t cut into the profitability of this lens. And, given that Avulux is almost always a second pair intended for situational wear, managed vision care patients can still use their benefits on their primary pair and use the cost savings to purchase Avulux for their migraine and light sensitivity.
Read Another Success Story
Interestingly, about 80% of patients choose the more expensive full lens option over the clip-on, although we inform them that both options utilize the same technology.
A New Era in Migraine Treatment
Having practiced for 23 years and treated migraines with limited success, I can confidently say that Avulux is the best visual solution we have encountered. It differentiates my practice from others and keeps patients engaged with new offerings.
The technology behind Avulux is stimulating for our team to work with, and I believe we are just scratching the surface of what migraine treatment can achieve in eye care.
Brian J. Sirgany, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, is the owner of Sirgany Eyecare in Cortland, New York. To contact him: drsirgany@sirganyeyecare.com
