New This Week
Annual Eye Exams: Changing the Consumer Mindset
Think About Your Eyes is raising consumer awareness about the importance of annual eye exams—and generating measurable increases in exams and eyewear purchases. Rick Holt and Laurel O’Connor, who direct this national marketing campaign, tell how multi-channel communications with traditional ads, PR and social media are broadening the definition of an eye exam and eye health. See how ODs can play a role.
>>READ MORE>>
Diagnostic Instrumentation
Add Full Instrumentation to Succeed with Medical Optometry
By Lisa Greene, OD
To succeed with full-scope medical optometry at the highest level, equip yourself with a full complement of cutting-edge instrumentation. Patients benefit from a higher level of care, and your practice benefits, too. >>READ MORE>
Finances
Set Aside Time for a Process-Improvement Meeting
By Scott Huffer, OD, FAAO
Daily huddles and staff meetings are essential for office efficiency and good communications—but fundamental improvements in office processes require a dedicated meeting that encourages staff input and creativity. >>READ MORE>>
Innovation in Practice
Present Multifocals to All Presbyopic Patients
Are you prescribing multifocal contact lenses for all presbyopic age groups? You may be surprised at how many patients over 40, and even over 60, who want to give them a try. >>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
Market Opportunity: Provide Relief from Digital Eye Fatigue Syndrome
Your patients may be using their digital devices even more than you suspected, The Vision Council’s new report, Eyes Overexposed: The Digital Dilemma, suggests. According to the report, nearly 60 percent of Americans use digital devices for five or more hours each day and 70 percent of Americans use two or more devices at a time. Some 77 percent of the individuals who suffer from digital eye strain use two or more devices simultaneously. Seventy percent of women report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain and are more likely than men to simultaneously use multiple devices.
Click HERE to read more on educating your patients about digital eye fatigue syndrome, and providing products that give relief, from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD.
In Brief
CodeSAFE and CrystalPM Release Integrated Coding Solution
CrystalPM and CodeSAFE are releasing a fully integrated solution for the eyecare profession offering real?time CPT & ICD information and reimbursement data, incorporated within CrystalPM. The cooperative agreement offers CrystalPM’s customers real?time access to critical information, necessary for providing the best, most efficient and effective patient care. >>READ MORE>>
The Vision Council Releases 2016 UV-Protection Report
The Vision Council is educating consumers on the serious eye health risks from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays with the release of its newest UV protection report, Spare Your Sight: Using Shades for Protection and Style. >>READ MORE>>
Challenge –> Solution
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Practice Challenge…
How do I drive sales in the optical?Your optical faces steep competition from other local ODs and optical shops, the optical super-chains and online retailers. Here is how three contributors are finding new streams of optical revenue and spurring sales.
…Practice Solution
- Eight Steps to Profit in a Sports Vision Specialty
- Embrace Online Eyewear–but Capture In-House Sales
- Optical Sales Booster: Know When to Use the Hard Sell vs. Soft Sell
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