New This Week
Invest in Optical Staff Education for Long-Term ROI
Master optician Mark Mattison-Shupnick, ABOM, BS, editor of 20/20 Opticians Handbook, provides a compelling case for supporting licensure and certification for your optical staff. By investing in your staff, you reap a handsome return in the superior service they can provide. Further, he encourages practices to merchandise around an educated staff in all communications with patients. CE courses readily can be found online and for little or no cost. In addition, manufacturer reps often have materials that can be used in training staff. For your best ROI, select courses and design a curriculum for your staff’s optical education that meets your practice goals.
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Contact Lenses
Encourage Patients to Order Contact Lenses from Your Web Site: It Pays
By Mary E. Boname , OD, MS, FAAO
Streamline contact lens order processing and capture more contact lens orders by enabling re-ordering on your web site. Then measure increased efficiency and cost savings. >>READ MORE>>
Coding & Billing
Cataract Co-Management: Do You Know How to Code for It?
By Eric Botts, OD
Co-managing cataract patients is a major practice-building opportunity. Two keys: Form a clear agreement with surgeons, and effectively code for your services. >>READ MORE>>
Digital Strategy
Choosing a Search Engine Optimization Vendor: How to Make a Smart Choice
By Nancy Rausman
Small business owners, like independent ODs, are frequently pitched by search engine optimization consultants. Here’s how to make a smart choice by separating the SEO wheat from the chaff. >>READ MORE>>
ADVERTORIAL
New Survey: Compliance in Contact Lens Replacement Linked to Frequency of Eye Examination
Alcon, the global leader in eyecare, announced new data presented at the 91st Annual American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Meeting in Phoenix on compliance with lens replacement and the interval between eye examinations (IEE).1 These new data are part of a large survey conducted to understand the relationship between compliance and replacement frequency as well as the interval between eye examinations, lens purchase patterns and general compliance with lens wear and care.
According to the study conducted in 141 eyecare practitioner (ECP) offices across the US: Compliant wearers return more frequently for eye exams. The mean IEE was 16 months (median 14 months), and was shorter for wearers who were compliant with the manufacturer’s recommended lens replacement frequency (MRRF) (14.5 months vs. 17.4 months; p<0.001)1. Wearers who purchased an annual supply of lenses were more compliant with MRRF than those who were not compliant (55 percent vs. 45 percent; p<0.001)1. >>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
What Is Most Important to Patients In Access to Eyewear?
Variety of frames, help choosing the right frame, fast delivery of eyewear and price value were identified as priorities by respondents to focalCenter Insights and Jobson Optical Research’s Key Drivers of the Patient Experience report. Additional important factors to patients include the ability of an optical shop to provide them with eyewear that is fashionable, comfortable and fits well. Patients also reported a desire for a large enough mix of frame prices to make them feel like they had options. A nice staff capable of providing them with accurate information about the eyewear, pricing and insurance coverage also helps seal the deal.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on providing stellar service to patients in the optical shop.
In Brief
New Ortho-K Lens Available for High Myopes
GP Specialists, a producer of orthokeratology products, has developed an advanced ortho-k lens design that has been shown to correct patients with high myopic powers. The new iSee Ortho-k lens is based on its FDA approved FARGO ortho-k contact lens. The iSee corneal reshaping design incorporates a more aggressive treatment zone that allows practitioners to treat patients with higher degrees of myopia, thus increasing the number of likely candidates for ortho-k treatment. >>READ MORE>>
Embassy Creations and HOYA to Distribute NFL Frames to Independent ECPs
Embassy Creations is partnering with HOYA Vision Care to distribute NFL frames to independent ECPs under an exclusive arrangement featuring HOYA Lenses. Embassy Creations is the sole distributor of NFL optical goods through Siskiyou Gifts, the licensee of all NFL brands for RX eyewear. Through the arrangement, Embassy will work exclusively with HOYA to bring NFL team branded eyewear featuring HOYA lenses to independent ECPs. “Once again we are excited to provide independent eyecare providers an opportunity to differentiate themselves with an exclusive opportunity to align with one of the most popular brands, the NFL,” says Barney Dougher, president of HOYA Vision Care North America.
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ROB Poll Results
Readers Say They Love Their Optical Lab
Asked what they think of their primary optical laboratory, 75 percent of ROB readers say they are very satisfied and that their lab not only turns around jobs on time but is always happy to accommodate emergency requests. Twenty-five percent of readers say they are satisfied but not thrilled with their lab and that their lab turns around jobs on time but doesn’t go the extra mile.
