New This Week
Developing a Comprehensive Eyecare Practice
Aaron Lech, OD, FAAO, outlines how he developed a full portfolio of medical and eyecare services and specialties that serves a broad and growing patient base. Special focus on how to add new associates and when to acquire cutting-edge technology. >>READ MORE>>
Staff Development
Delegate Duties to a Clinic Manager
By Beverly Jue-Smith, OD, MBA
Delegating management of the clinic staff, exam rooms and contact lens area frees the doctor to provide patient care and generate revenues. >>READ MORE>>
Practice Metrics
The State of the Optometric Profession: Supply of ODs
By ROB Editors
The State of the Optometric Profession report points to more ODs in a competitive marketplace—and more growth opportunities. See how to position your practice to prosper.
>>READ MORE>>
Digital Strategy
Increase Online Visibility with Strategic Plan–and Outside Help
Help patients find your practice first when they search online. Hiring an SEO expert and following a good marketing plan can keep your exam chair filled.
>>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
OD Supply: Prepare for Sharp Increase in Competition
Your competition for patients will increase sharply over the next five years, findings from The State of the Optometric Profession report suggest. The number of practicing optometrists will grow approximately 2 percent annually through 2020 and reach 46,300 in that year. The net increase will occur as an average of approximately 1,550 ODs graduate and enter practice annually, and about 750 ODs retire.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on preparing for an increase in competition from other ODs, and other changes affecting the optometric profession.
In Brief
SynergEyes Premiers ECP Videos on Duette CLs
SynergEyes, a producer of hybrid contact lens technology, announced the release of 48 practitioner interview videos. The videos provide tips, advice and success stories from Duette practitioners to their peers, and emphasize how Duette, a high-performance contact lens for astigmatic and presbyopic patients, “can transform a patient’s vision while transforming an independent eyecare practitioner’s practice, as well.”
>>READ MORE>>
The Vision Council Releases Low Vision Report
The Vision Council has released its latest report, Vision Loss in America: Aging and Low Vision, providing an in-depth look at low vision and illustrating the pervasive impact aging eye diseases and vision loss can have on the health and well-being of senior citizens. <<READ MORE>>
Challenge –> Solution
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Practice Challenge…
How can I use mobile technology to educate patients?Educating your patients about their diagnoses, and the best way to care for their eyes, is essential. Mobile devices like tablets and smartphones are making this challenge easier. Here is how three contributors use this new way of communicating to improve patient education.
…Practice Solution
- Use Tablets to Share External Eye Photos with Patients
- Guide Your Low Vision Patients Through New Apps
- Mobile Communications with Patients: Expand Access, Maintain Limits
Recent Articles of Note
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Getting There: Planning a Successful Optometric Career
By Robert Schultz -
Be Positive, and Always Thank Your Patient
An Optometric Minute video with Eric M. White, OD -
Capture Rate Booster: Train Staff to Fill Patient Prescriptions
By Stuart J. Thomas, OD, and Ellen Byrum-Goad, LDO