Diagnostic Instrumentation

Time Savings = Increased Revenues with Autorefraction with Wavefront Technology

By Ian Benjamin Gaddie, OD

Dec. 2, 2015

Our practice has upgraded to the Marco XFRACTION TRS-5100 autorefraction system and an OPD-Scan III, allowing me to obtain a wavefront-optimized refraction for all patients in a short period of time. The system offersaccuracy and efficiency in the refraction, as well asergonomic advantages thatallow me to see patients comfortably following back surgery. What’s more,the system shaves significant time off the exam process—about four minutes per exam.

TIME SAVED IN THE EXAM ADDS UP

Time saved in the refraction process 4 minutes
Patients seen per day 16 patients
Time saved per day 64 minutes
Time saved per month 21 hours

We ran an analysis of how that time saved can translate into additional patients seen and revenues for the practice. The four minutes saved per exam can add up to $192,000 in additional revenues per annum. The two charts (left and below)showhow we computed increased revenues due to time savings and more exams.

Ensure Accuracy, Demonstrate Acuity to Patients

The data from the XFRACTION is collected in the pre-testing area, and the data is sent to the electronic health record software, eliminating transcription errors. With simple toggles, doctors can show patients differences between their previous prescription and the one just developed so that patients can decide for themselves whether a “small” prescription change still results in clearer vision.

Being able to compare the new prescription to their current eyewear prescription allows the patient to truly appreciate the difference in vision instead of the doctor trying to explain the magnitude of change in an Rx. Second, being able to show patients who have never worn glasses what they are missing, versus no prescription at all, is priceless.

With the XFRACTION, I also can show patients the difference in daytime and nighttime refraction. Our prescriptions for nighttime driving eyewear have increased 24 percent since we added the equipment.

Best of all, the system reduces the time needed to gain an accurate refraction. On average, it reducesour exam time per patient by four minutes. If I’m seeing 16 patients in a day, that’s a difference of 64 minutes. That means that I can see more patients. The time that I spend with patients can now be focused on visual solutions, rather than on refracting patients.

ADDITIONAL EXAMS INCREASE REVENUES

Additional patients per month 40
Revenue per exam$400
Additional revenues/month $16,000
Additional revenue per year $192,000

More Exam Time, More Time For Prescriptions & Patient Education

The patients I am already seeing are now hearing more about second-pairs of eyewear for specialty needs and higher-quality lenses and treatments. Those conversations can add up to 30 percent more in optical sales, even before seeing any new patients.

Greater Accuracy Means Fewer Remakes & Money Saved

Along with the gains of a faster, more efficient exam and more time available for patients, the practice gains profitability in the money saved by minimizing costly lens remakes. Remakes cost the average practice about $12,408per year, or $1,034 per month.

Related ROB Articles

OCT: Add Value to Your Eye Exam in the Age of Online Refraction

Invest in Instrumentation to Grow Your Practice

VEP: Instrumentation to Enhance Your Medical Eyecare Services

Ian Benjamin Gaddie, OD, FAAO, is a partner with Gaddie Eye Center in Louisville, LaGrange and Carrollton, Ky. To contact: ibgaddie@me.com

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