An optical industry blog sharing thoughts, tips, and tools from eye care influencers, As Eye See It offers an inside look into the past, present and future of what drives the industry.
When I was in high school, I was mesmerized that my contacts, tiny pieces of plastic that I couldn’t even feel in my eyes, could correct my vision so that I could clearly see the trees. I decided then that optometry was what I wanted to do for the ...
We all know that clear communication with patients is fundamental to our ability to connect with them and provide the best care. Cultural, linguistic, and generational differences can sometimes create barriers to that communication, limiting our ...
You might say healthcare is in my blood--my father was an army surgeon during the second World War and my mother was his nurse. In college, I gravitated toward physics, optics, and all the sciences, so optometry seemed to be a natural fit. I was also ...
One of the things I find so exciting about optometry is that it is ever-evolving, and in order to be successful, you have to evolve with it. Adapting to change has been a common theme throughout my career, most notably during the past year, and I have ...
I always knew I wanted to be in the sciences and that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Private practice optometry offered me the best of both worlds. Today, I co-own a large practice in Chicago with 13 locations, many of them cold starts, and I am very ...
The events of 2020 were really challenging--everyone in the community was affected. Like many others, our practice was closed for a month and when we reopened, our patient flow was down significantly. It was difficult and unnerving to navigate through ...
With an optical center on virtually every corner, patients coming to our practice may pass three or four of our competitors on the way. So, in order to attract and retain patients, we need to make sure we stand out. Differentiating our practice from ...
When I was in my fourth-year externship, one of my advisors gave me a valuable piece of advice that I’ve never forgotten: whatever you do, make sure your patients walk out with a positive experience. That advice really resonated when I opened my own ...
With many experiencing job loss or decreased benefits as a result of COVID, it has been especially critical for our practice to find ways to continue to provide care to these patients. We want them to be able to maintain their exams and continue to ...
Nothing has had a greater impact on our profession than this pandemic. It changed the landscape of eye care across this country. Everyone was impacted by it. It brought eye care to a standstill. If this wasn’t a wakeup call to what can happen on a ...
Growing up, everyone in my family wore glasses, so regular visits to the optometrist were a must. On one of our many trips there, my parents commented that it would be a good profession for me. As a kid, I always enjoyed going to the optometrist, so I ...
With my father being a forester and my mother a nurse, you could say the woods and patient care are in my blood. Both themes are woven throughout my life, culminating now as I find ways to support my peers during this pandemic.
From about the fourth or fifth grade, I knew I wanted to be an optometrist. Being nearsighted, I was at the optometrist’s office often, and I always loved the warm and welcoming staff. Today, replicating that experience for our patients is how we ...
School aptitude tests in the fifth grade determined I should either become an FBI agent or an optometrist when I grew up. Both sounded like cool jobs to me, but I really liked going to the optometrist and seeing all their equipment. So, I decided in ...
I fell into optometry by accident. I was a biology major wanting to be a veterinarian, and heard veterinary school was very competitive. A friend recommended optometry; I applied to school, got accepted, and it was the best decision of my life. I ...
As a private practice owner, my number-one priority is to do right by my patients and employees. When COVID-19 hit, finding ways to do that became challenging. Eight months in, I’m pleased to report that with the support of our partners, the ...
When I was a child, my family traveled to different countries as my parents sought a better life for us. During that time, I developed a fascination for the medical field and volunteered in medical groups whenever I could. I experienced firsthand the ...
Prior to the pandemic hitting, we were at the peak of our practice. We were doing very well financially, and we had more staff working for us than we had ever had before.
As a current resident and recent graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), I often reflect on all of the people who have supported me along the way—starting with my parents, who moved our family from Jamaica to Canada to give us more opportunities, to my peers and mentors at school. I know first-hand the impact of that support, and it is my personal mission to pay it forward to others as I grow as a clinician.
Our two practices are located on Amelia Island, a small coastal paradise boasting thirteen miles of pristine beaches and spectacular views of the Atlantic. We are a tight-knit community whose residents have come not only for the beauty of the island ...
I got my first pair of glasses in third grade, and from that point on, spent a lot of time at my family eye doctor’s office. Over the years, Dr. Walter West and I had discussions about my interest in biology and saving the whales. He offered that ...
I originally went to school to study business. After working in the banking industry for several years, I had gained excellent sales, management, and customer service skills, but my heart felt incomplete. I craved something more fulfilling, with more ...
Ohana means “family” in the Hawaiian language, and it embodies our philosophy and that of our practice, Ronald R. Reynolds, OD, Inc., located in Mililani, Hawaii. My father, Ronald Reynolds, OD, started our practice more than 40 years ago, and I ...
As a partner in an eight-location practice, I was worried about the impact to our bottom line of being closed for about a month in response to COVID-19. Today, we are happy to report that revenue is higher than before the pandemic began, despite the ...
Patients rely on our expertise to provide the very best recommendations for their eye care needs, so it’s critical that we stay on top of the developments and advancements in our field, keep our staff educated, and pass information on to our patients. ...
During COVID-19, I've paid close attention to what my peers are doing in their practices. It has been very informative to hear how doctors are modifying their patient care during the pandemic, and my practice has benefited from those learnings. I’m ...
Back in the day, we used to present all our products to patients, giving them the freedom to choose the ones they liked the best. Over time, we learned that this approach overwhelmed some patients, who didn’t understand the different product lines and ...
There’s no question that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our practices and impacted our lives. But, as we head down the road to recovery, I must admit there are some positives that have come out of this pandemic.
Like many of you, my practice was blindsided by COVID-19. Plans we had for the year were paused as we were forced to shelter in place and shut down the practice to non-essential care. Despite the uncertain future, we knew we had to find a way to stay ...
My number one objective as a Doctor of Optometry is to make people feel comfortable going to the optometrist—you might say it’s my specialty. I knew from my first visit to get glasses in the fifth grade that I loved going to the optometrist, and my ...
Many eye care providers hadn’t considered telehealth prior to the pandemic, believing they needed a hands-on exam to adequately treat patients. With COVID-19 reducing that type of care to only essential services, and with a patient population that ...
As you may have read, VSP Global recently made an announcement regarding formulary changes effective September 1, 2020, impacting how VSP reimburses for preferred and non-preferred materials. At the same time, they announced additional plan changes ...
Many of us were anxiously awaiting the year 2020 to market the “Year of Vision” to our patients, but before we had a chance to breathe, COVID-19 came in and flipped the emphasis of 2020 to one of personal and professional survival. In my opinion, ...
To be honest, I was pretty skeptical about telehealth pre-COVID-19. I could see handling some aspects of patient care remotely, but couldn’t envision treating patients without physically seeing them, putting dye in their eyes, and examining their ...
Like most of you, we’ve had to make dramatic changes to our practice in the face of this pandemic. In addition to the significant changes to patient care, we’ve had to reevaluate how we run the business and think critically about what we need to do in ...
As restrictions on routine eye care lifted in my state, the question was no longer, “Can we reopen?”, but rather, “How do we reopen?” Like many of you, we were anxious to return to providing comprehensive care to our patients. But no matter where your ...
As restrictions on routine eye care lifted in Nevada, the idea of opening our six practices made us both excited and anxious. We were relieved and happy to see our patients again, but nervous about the safety of staff and patients in this new patient ...
By Mary Anne Murphy, OD, VSP Board Member and Stephanie Ouyoumjian, H+L Partners |
May 11, 2020
One of the prominent drivers of consumer behavior is consumer confidence, typically concerning the economy and one’s ability to spend money. With COVID-19, we’re seeing a different kind of customer confidence come into play—confidence in being around ...
Like many of you these days, who have yet to reopen for routine care, I miss seeing patients and being able to help them. It’s tough when patients call or text me that their vision has changed a bit and they need an eye exam, and I have to turn them down. I’m so excited to get back to that ...
By Michael Bacigalupi, OD, MS, FAAO |
March 09, 2020
I joined an established private practice immediately after graduating from optometry school, and it just wasn’t for me. I was primarily doing refractive management for my patients, and I wanted to do more. I wanted to practice full-scope optometry, to truly help people and make a difference. I was able to find that fulfillment when I opened a practice in a rural community that really needed me, where I could make a significant impact on people’s lives. Today, as dean of a rural optometry school, I get to extend that opportunity to the next generation of optometrists.
I never planned to own a practice—especially not in rural Nevada. With a background in ophthalmology ocular disease, I always pictured myself in an MD/OD setting. But those opportunities weren’t coming my way, and I got tired of waiting. I decided to ...
I didn’t always know that I wanted to become a Doctor of Optometry—just that I loved science, wanted to help people, and didn’t want to pursue traditional medicine. In college, I started researching careers that would marry my love of science with my ...
Born and raised in Wayne Gretzky territory, aka Western Canada, it was no surprise that I played ice hockey as a youth. In fact, it’s what got me to the U.S., as I came here to play for Norwich University in Vermont on a hockey scholarship. After ...
VSP Eyes of Hope® recently asked me to consult on-set for a video about their mission to help increase access to eye care and eyewear for people in need. Because Doctors of Optometry are central to the delivery of care, I was there to help ensure the ...
Working at a private practice in high school, I loved the freedom the doctors had to spend time with their patients and form meaningful connections with them. Today, as a new OD, I seek out those connections to enhance my patients’ experience and to ...
In the U.S., one in two adults has diabetes or prediabetes—and the numbers keep rising. As Doctors of Optometry (ODs), we can help slow the impact the disease can have on vision and overall health through early detection, intervention, and ...
By Dean Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, FAAO |
November 05, 2019
When I was 15, my family lived in Alaska, where I got my first job at the local Dairy Queen. Soon after becoming employed, I went to the sole optometrist in town and told him I had been wearing glasses since fourth grade and wanted contacts. I told ...
Like many of you, I graduated from optometry school with a plethora of knowledge about vision care and eye health. I was ready to conquer the world, providing superior eye care one patient at a time. However, when I went into private practice ...
I started my practice in Los Osos, CA, which for a small town of 10,000 was a mecca for optometrists—there were nine of us in town when my practice opened. Finding success in a saturated environment was daunting, but we determined we could all be ...
As you have likely seen or read, VSP Global® has just announced that the acquisition of Visionworks is complete.
At the same time, you may also have seen the news release that announced major investments in the VSP Global Premier Program for private practice doctors.
Last year, as the VSP Global® Premier Program celebrated its fifth anniversary, I blogged about the benefits my practice has experienced being a part of this program. The Premier Program has helped me increase my practice’s revenue and grow my ...
I went into private practice optometry because of my father. Growing up, I would sit at the kitchen table for hours, listening to him talk about his patients—not just about how he treated their eyes, but how he impacted their lives, and ...
If you had asked me during optometry school how I defined success, I would have answered, “It’s a practice with my name on the door.” Today, just one year post-graduation and three months after joining an established practice, I would answer that ...
As you have likely seen or read, VSP Global® announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Visionworks, subject to completion of regulatory approval. This is an investment that takes a significant leap forward in meeting ...
Reflecting back on my career, my favorite patient was a seven-year-old girl who came in right after I bought my practice. She sat in the chair asking question after question—about the phoropter, the optics, what it’s like being an optometrist, you ...
VSP Global’s recent announcement that it plans to open three brick-and-mortar Eyeconic® locations has sparked questions, and even some misinformation out in the marketplace, specifically around how Eyeconic is marketing to VSP members, our patients. ...
As a young OD, jumping into private practice right out of school was a daunting proposition. However, I knew early on that owning my own practice would give me the work-life balance I needed, as well as the flexibility to control my patients’ quality ...
When I was in optometry school, the independent practice doctors I met seemed to enjoy their profession the most—it’s one of the many reasons I chose to go into independent practice myself, 38 years ago. While I’ve found this path rewarding on many ...
As you’ve been hearing (and reading) over the past several months, our industry is shifting, and VSP Global® needs to adapt to serve both our members and VSP network doctors in mutually beneficial ways. We recently announced that we will be opening ...
I knew when I was in eighth grade that I wanted to be an optometrist. I got glasses when I was six and contacts at 12, and because I spent so much time at the eye doctor, I decided right then that that’s what
I wanted to be. I even wrote to optometry schools when I was 14. Fast‐forward a few years, and now I’m leading a booming practice with 25 employees and thousands of patients. Today, I couldn’t be more
excited about private practice optometry—the freedom and opportunity it gives me to improve people’s lives and to be someone’s hero.
VSP Global sat down recently with new chairman of the board, Dr. Gordon Jennings, to learn more about his background and interests, his goals in the new role, and his thoughts on the future of optometry.
I coach a Little League baseball team and am an avid baseball fan. In the game of baseball, most teams, at any age, invest time, effort, and money in developing their players. This is done so that the team can be successful and so the players will ...
I went into private practice 20 years ago because I wanted to be the master of my own destiny. I felt that I could make a greater impact on patients’ lives if I wasn’t being told how to practice, and, could instead do what I felt would provide the ...
When I graduated from optometry school, I started practicing in a hospital setting but quickly moved over to private practice. I wanted the ability to make my own decisions, so I could take care of my patients more efficiently and effectively. To me, ...
This past week, I spent a few days at SHiFT18, the annual VSP Global Premier Program meeting, connecting with colleagues from across the country. Having a few minutes now to reflect on the meeting, I’m inspired by the opportunities ahead for private practice optometry. I heard first-hand from many in our profession about how private practice is stronger than ever and how we’re poised to meet the growing eye care needs of our population in the years to come.
As a private practice owner and doctor, providing high-quality eye care is a full-time job—there’s not much time left for building my practice or figuring out how to attract new patients. But as we all know, this is a critical piece of the equation if ...
The importance of organized optometry cannot ever be overstated. Without organizations like the American Optometric Association (AOA), our state associations, and local societies, the profession that we enjoy would not exist as we know it. ...
I recently was asked to participate in a focus group with VSP Global. We took a deeper dive into the smart eyewear space, and it led me to think about technology overall—why it’s important for doctors to know more about smart eyewear and how it might ...
The Great American Eclipse is drawing a lot of attention, and as optometrists, this provides us and our practices with a great opportunity. And with that opportunity also comes a lot of responsibility. It's imperative that our patients understand the ...
As optometrists, we have the unique opportunity to lend our services and help provide access to eye exams and glasses to individuals and communities that don't have insurance or can't afford the services. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to ...
Something inspired us all to go into the field of optometry. For some, it was a mentor along the way. For others, it was an event or experience. Some of us had friends or family affected by conditions we could address as an optometrist, and that ...
Co-authored by Matthew Alpert, OD, and Sage Hider, OD, President of the California Optometric Association. Coverage for eyeglasses and low vision aids for adults was cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, in 2009. The California ...
After months of preparation, I completed the first of several parts of “the boards,” and I’m happy to say that I passed! I still have a long way to go, but ...
Mornings in the Murphy household are hectic to say the least. Making lunches, checking email, feeding the dogs, ensuring homework is complete, and the ever-impossible task of getting the kids to put their shoes on so we can be out the door on time. ...
Here we are! It's 2017, and our practices have a clean slate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS finalized the MACRA rule in October 2016, and the rule initiated this year. The entire goal of MACRA is to move CMS’ payment model from a fee-for-service structure to a value-based model, where clinicians get paid based on the quality of care they provide their patients. Now, we have a clear-cut decision to make on whether we are going to participate in MIPS or not.
Ah, another trade show under the belt. This time it was one of my favorites. I'm returning from Vision Expo East and my long flight home allows me time for my tradition of rummaging through all the flyers, swag, and paraphernalia that I picked up at ...
The time is right for myopia control. Are you ready to make time to participate? As a practice management consultant, I often hear doctors say, “I want to grow my practice but I don’t have time.” My response is, “Oh, so what you’re really saying is ...
I received a good look into the future of healthcare and optometry—and my own career—at the 2016 American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting held in November in Anaheim, California. With more than 7,000 attendees, it was the largest AAO meeting in history, and an experience that will help shape my decisions going forward.
In our profession, we're provided many opportunities to help patients. But sometimes, it even happens on our days off, and in a completely unexpected way. I was able to experience such an event on January 27, and it was inspiring to see how health ...
A new year is a blank canvas, and the brush is in our hands. This year, I encourage everyone to do something different, both in our personal and professional lives. In my case, I wanted to share some resolutions I’m adopting for my practice—because if ...
‘Tis the season to be jolly—and give back. I’ve always loved this time of the year because everywhere I go, I’m reminded it is the season for giving. As an optometrist, any time of the year is a good time to be generous, but this time of the year ...
With only a few days left before the end of the year, the practice is buzzing with activity. While I never want to complain that we are busy with patients taking advantage of their benefits before the end of the calendar year, I have mixed feelings ...
The holidays can be a great time for reflection. As another year ends, it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about what you’ve achieved before you focus on what you want to change next. During this time of year, my family goes around the table saying a ...
Has this ever happened to you? A family that has been patients of mine for many years—mom, dad, and the three kids—recently came in for their annual eye examinations. We had a very pleasant conversation about a recent vacation, how the kids were ...
Independent optometrists are often looking for a competitive edge to help drive patients to our front door. However, that is only part of the challenge we face in private practice. Once patients actually make it to the door, we have to find ways to ...
Finally. The kids are back in school, phew! We made it through another summer with minimal bloodshed, despite the incessant adolescent fighting. This time of year is so peaceful to me—quiet house, crisp and cool fall weather, back-to-school rush at ...
As the leaves start to change color outside and fall emerges, it's a good idea to look inside your practice and see if there are any leaves that need to be turned. After the back-to-school rush, it's easy to settle into a routine and lose sight of the ...
The Amite River, which is located several miles from our home and about a mile from our office in Denham Springs, crested 5 feet higher than ever recorded in history, creating unprecedented flooding of homes and businesses.
I recently volunteered at a Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy event, supported by VSP Global. My most memorable patient was a fifth-grade girl who never had an eye exam. She was uncorrected at 20/200 in each eye. After the exam, I witnessed her seeing clearly for the first time. Her reaction? An ear-to-ear smile.
For my classmates and me, this month marks the halfway point of our optometry school careers at Western University College of Optometry. We are one step closer to becoming optometrists. I've come to appreciate each year of optometry school as a unique ...
I’m the first in my family to attend college, and I had a lot of questions about my undergraduate choices and decisions as well as what I might do as a career after graduating. The University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry’s Opto-Camp ...
Ideas are everywhere. Think of all of the ideas that you've had in the last week, day, or even in last 30 seconds as you're reading this blog. Ideas are created or thought of because there’s a solution needed for an issue you're trying to resolve. ...
We experience uniquely great things about our profession: my favorite being the significant impact we have on a person's health, visual happiness, and ultimately, his/her quality of life. Day-to-day we experience the gratitude and appreciation of our ...
We have moments in our careers that remind us what made us choose the profession of optometry. For some, it is the occasion that we provide children with their first pair of glasses and see that smile as they first notice the leaves on trees. For ...
Summer: The season has a variety of meanings. To some it means splashing in the pool. For others it is baseball, summer camps, vacations, and family time. For optometrists it usually means extra patients. In our office, summer brings in an abundance ...
My senior year in high school, I realized that I needed glasses when I couldn’t see the writing on the chalkboard. One trip to the eye doctor, and I walked out feeling inspired and intrigued about how proper vision changes lives. After that ...
Ahhh … lazy summer months … I wait all year for this time of year. Vacation time, kids out of school – parents bringing children for appointments are less frenzied, less hurried to get out of the office and on to homework or a sporting event. We ...
From my nearly 35 years of experience in optometry, I can tell you that one of the most important things I can do for my practice is to encourage new ideas. Needless to say, today's healthcare marketplace is both challenging and competitive.
An opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Everyone has opportunities in life to do something. For every practicing optometrist, we had an opportunity to get into this industry, and we took it!
I’ve known from a young age I wanted to be a health care provider. I come from a family of nurses and doctors, and taking care of people seemed the perfect occupation for me.
Optometry has been a magnificently rewarding professional opportunity, fulfilling my entire life of dreams and goals. These include caring for my patients and my staff; community involvement; flexibility for family time; ongoing education; and ...
The launch of the Spring 2016 Nike Running Collection brings the topic of true “sports glasses” versus “sports goggles” as an easy conversation piece with many of my athletic patients who are seeking proper vision correction for their sport of ...
My father always told me that to get an opportunity, I had to make one. I was a high school wrestler on a very good team. Every week we had challenge matches to determine who would get to wrestle in the next match. After a solid junior season, I ended ...
If you just came back from Vision Expo East, there’s a good chance you found yourself in a conversation or two about blue light. As eye care providers, we’re on the front line of this conversation, as we’re seeing blue light’s impact walk through our practice doors literally every day.
Technology has had a lasting impact on a significant number of industries in the last few decades. There is no question that optometry is one of them. While new technologies can be a benefit for our practices, it's a constant challenge to find the next tool that your practice needs.
As Chairman of Optometric Innovation for VSP Global, I feel we are in the midst of truly exciting times for our industry. A decade ago there wouldn’t have been a need for this kind of role. But over the past few years, having a dedicated focus on ...
Do you ever feel like no matter how fast you move, technology is moving faster? I know I do. In fact, I sometimes feel like the rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” ... "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." Fortunately, there is hope.
It's funny to me some days as I reflect about the first time my parents exposed me to technology. My dad had purchased a Commodore 64 back when it was state of the art. I remember sitting down to that computer and reading a magazine that taught me how to program in BASIC. Back then, periodicals gave you the most current information outside of television.
I sold my practice in 2007 and I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to be able to dedicate my time to volunteering. Monarch School was put on my radar through the San Diego County Optometric Society, where I serve on the board.
Being part of the profession of private practice optometry has always been of ineffable importance to me. Throughout optometry school and my early work years, professional (adj. "highly competent") practice was equated with not only the highest standard of care and clinical acumen, but private practice.
Perhaps an "old story" from my practice can give us a "new look" at technology and innovation. Many years ago, I received a promotional pd gauge at an optometric CE meeting. It was nothing special – really – except that it had LED lights, which alternated between red and blue when taking a pd.
In the industry of optometry, everyone has differing opinions on what professional optometry is. Some believe being a professional optometrist is only relegated to private practice, in which a doctor has controlling interest over their practice.
VSP Global President and CEO Jim McGrann appeared on Dr. Gary Gerber’s Power Hour radio show for the fourth time on Wednesday, Feb. 17 to answer questions posed by Dr. Gerber as well as multiple callers from across the country, covering a wide range of topics.
As a third-generation optometrist and owner of two practices in California, I was pleased today when Covered California announced it selected VSP Vision Care to offer access to vision care coverage for adults, a decision that will help reduce the gap in access to eye care in my state.
"Professional" Optometry? It seems a silly oxymoron – unless one is to imply there is such thing as "Unprofessional" Optometry. I would prefer not to go there. However, the previous term seems to penetrate the industry trade news and I think it deserves to be expounded upon.
It's hard to believe, but I have had a part in professional optometry for 35 years. By all measures, it has been a great run. Just think about it. Our scope of practice has expanded from a largely refractive, diagnostic, and referral profession
“And then Katrina came. Wiped out everything I had.”Mr. Minor was a small business owner and, like so many New Orleans residents, had to quickly evacuate in the face of Hurricane Katrina’s wrath 10 years ago, leaving his glasses behind.Dr. Jarrett ...
Day in and day out we search for ways to make our lives more efficient. This may come as easily as using Amazon to order a birthday present for a party your child will attend this weekend or may take more effort, like installing a money-saving smart thermostat to control your home environment while you are away.
Access has been a hot topic in optometry throughout my professional career. Patients need access to doctors and doctors need access to provider panels so they can provide care for their patients.
In today’s world it’s becoming difficult to appreciate the things you have. It’s a concern amongst many people to worry, “What is coming next?” “What will I buy next?” “Where will I go next?” In optometry, that isn’t much different.
We get to a point in life when it's way more fun to give than receive. Volunteering for community groups and events is a premier way of giving. After all, ‘tis the season for giving and sharing.
I (far left), along with representatives from VSP, pose with Vula Mazibuko Primary School learners in Soweto, South Africa, who received no-cost eye exams and new Nike glasses.
The holiday season is my favorite time of the year. It's that special opportunity for us to count our many blessings, to give thanks for our families, for our homes, and for the many opportunities we enjoy.
Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials: Are you tired of all the stereotyping and artificial grouping? Do you understand these groups? Who came up with these groups and who defines them? Do you know where you fit in? Do you fit in anywhere?
If you have any question as to how fast the eye care industry is changing, just read the headlines. In just the past few weeks: CVS Pharmacy made the decision to add eye care to its healthcare offering, and has begun a five store pilot; Essilor ...
How many of you have had patients already with an idea about which online site they will be using to order contact lenses or glasses based on the recommendation of a friend or neighbor? And when asked why, simply said the idea of cheap is appealing to ...
Well, here I am, back at the old As Eye See It blog desk ... and the topic this month: eCommerce. We all equate eCommerce with online buying and selling, but it really is much more. It also includes business to business buying and selling, data ...
It’s that time of year when kids are heading back to school, and as most of us know, an estimated one in four is returning with a vision problem that could affect learning. To help address the need in my community, I recently volunteered on the VSP ...
The quarterly Practice Report is an extremely valuable tool that I use in my practice. I use it in three key ways: Analyze patient demographics to make informed purchasing decisions. Understand the number of and revenue generated from VSP claims. ...
I want to start by sharing how honored I am to soon serve as President of VSP Vision Care, an organization I have worked for and loved for the past 23 years. A company whose mission to help people see has become so close to my heart that it has ...
There is no doubt about it – change is constant! I am sure that you have seen the announcement that Rob Lynch will be retiring as CEO of VSP Global and will be succeeded by Jim McGrann, the current President of VSP Vision Care. This upcoming change ...
VSP’s primary mission is to help people see and as VSP approaches its 60th anniversary; its growth now provides access to over 70,000,000 members (patients) to over 32,000 providers (doctors). As one of those providers, my primary mission is to make ...
Matthew Alpert, OD, with school children from the Soweto communityPhumla, a 16-year-old student who aspires to be a doctor, struggled to learn and feared crossing the street due to vision issues. Keamogetswe, an 11-year-old who loves school, saw his ...
For the fifth year, VSP Vision Care is sponsoring Eye on Wellness continuing education (CE) seminars for optometrists with A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, and I as keynote speakers. What's really exciting is that VSP has expanded the number of seminars to ...
A question I often hear is, “I thought VSP lost their not-for-profit status?” In today’s installment, I will try to clear this question up and then talk about a new and emerging force in our industry, private equity and venture capital.Here is the VSP ...
There is an old adage: “If you want something to get better, you measure it.” I believe this is absolutely true. In fact, I suspect that incremental measurement may be the most important step toward improvement.I started wearing a pedometer and ...
Millennials—those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s—represent a growing percentage of most of our patient bases. The Millennial Generation has ever increasing access to information via the internet and social media. They come to us with ...
There’s a lot of industry talk lately about changes in how consumers view eye care. That’s not just due to technology. It’s also due to a new generation of consumers that already represents a third of the U.S. population—the millennials, who ...
I love the movie, The Internship—so funny! You know the story, two out of work salesmen get into a competitive internship at Google. Against all odds, they win the day and, finally, a job by demonstrating the importance of personal relationships in ...
World Sight Day was a great opportunity for eye care professionals to come together to raise awareness about the importance of eye care and help those in need of eye care around the globe.I was one of more than 40 optometrists who volunteered with VSP ...
Our patients are consumers. They come with far more information and awareness of options in treatment and mode of practice. They demand multiple access channels and they demand choice that fits their individual lifestyle.The VSP Global mission is to ...
As an optometrist, it’s alarming to hear that, even today, more than 600 million people globally don’t have access to the eye care or eyewear they need. Many are blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected refractive error that I know could be ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 19, 2014
A very nice 85-year-old patient recently came in for a medical follow-up visit. Despite a history that included both glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, she was not good about follow up…but, on this occasion she had returned right on schedule!So, I ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 05, 2014
There are so many stories and so little time! This is certainly the case when trying to describe the importance of extending eye care services to those in need. Vision is so important and we can all be very proud of our charitable efforts in sharing ...
Visit vspblog.com/blue-light-study/ for resources that you can share with your patients, including an engaging infographic.Isn’t it amazing how much the patient conversation has changed over the past 15 years? It used to be that I would ask a patient ...
Earlier this year, I predicted that wearable devices like Google Glass will expand the relevance of optometry in our patients’ everyday lives. I’ve now been wearing Glass for a year, and it’s brought value to my practice in a number of ways. Wearing ...
Ami C. Ranani, OD, of Somers Eye Center in New York, offers the following for optometrists who are interested in advancing the technology in their own practices.We’ve all heard these seven words: There is nothing constant except for change. Some of us ...
Okay, so here is your question for the day: What do your airline, your coffee company, and your local hardware store all have in common?The answer is that they all offer loyalty programs. They learned a long time ago that if they could deepen the ...
Well, it is that time of year...time to congratulate a brand-new graduating class of freshly minted doctors and to welcome them to our profession. Well done!! What a great time to be starting your careers in optometry!!You are certainly the best ...
In last week’s post, my colleague Daniel Mannen, OD, FAAO, wrote about delivering excellence in patient care—the kind of care patients want. One of the ways we can deliver top-quality patient care is to invest our time in continuing education.I’d like ...
For the record, I really don’t like hot dogs. They are not very healthy, they are pretty messy, and I often end up with mustard on my shirt. However, my opinion of hot dogs changes completely when I go to a baseball game. I love ball park franks. So, ...
Watch a video with James Winnick, OD, to learn more about how you can use VSPDirect in your practice, and order VSPDirect materials for your office.There is no doubt about it; patients highly value their vision insurance. In fact, vision is a top ...
Have you ever had one of those days?Running late, splashed coffee on my new shirt…oh well, off to work.Started a little late, but the first exam was going great until the slit lamp bulb burned out. I found a new one, wrong size. Thank goodness, I ...
Well, it’s that time of year again. Spring has sprung! Here in Oregon, that means rain—but just think of all the green that follows. My feet are a little muddy, but summer is straight ahead. There is no question about it, time for optimism!What about ...
In 2012, I was part of a team that traveled to Soweto, South Africa—hometown of Nelson Mandela—to provide free eye exams and eyewear to nearly 200 staff members and students from a local school at the Nike Football Training Centre.Just 230 ...
Have you heard this recently? “I haven’t come in for an eye exam because I don’t need new glasses.”As eye doctors, we know that annual eye exams are as important for overall health as they are for vision correction. Now, a new study* is making it ...
By now, you've probably seen the news: Google has announced that Glass prescription frames are available. Glass Explorers can now purchase Glass with frames from Google and have them fitted with prescription lenses.VSP Vision Care is working closely ...
Of all my childhood experiences, Little League Baseball provided some of my most memorable life lessons. It was there where I learned what it took to really get better. I was so fortunate because my dad was always there to hit a few more ground balls ...
There is no doubt about it: Patients place a high value on their vision care programs. Cost savings, performance enhancement, and early disease detection have made vision care a very desirable benefit, even when participation is at the patients’ ...
I had the distinct privilege of growing up in a family where we were taught that no job was beneath us and where we were all expected to pitch in. Each of us had a role but we were also expected to be observant…and helpful.Sounds like a good formula ...
My dog, Maggie, has to be the greatest dog in the world. She is a beautiful four-year-old silver and gray wire-haired dachshund who has never met a stranger.Now, don't get me wrong, other dogs may know more tricks, but Maggie knows what is most ...
Download an infographic for your patients that highlights 4 things consumers need to know before buying new glasses, or visit the VSP Blog to share in social media.Little Megan focuses clearly for the first time through her brand new +6.00’s.Mrs. ...
Have you ever thought about what happens when you sign up with a vision plan that’s directing patients away from your practice and also choose to purchase materials from their retail supply chain? Initially, your volume goes up, but over time, both ...
Following is an interview with Jeffry D. Gerson, OD, FAAO, a practicing optometrist who is also a writer, lecturer, and thought leader on retinal disease management. Dr. Gerson co-leads the VSP Eye on Diabetes and Eye on Age-related Macular ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 24, 2013
There is no doubt about it, vision is one of our most treasured gifts. It is an awesome privilege to be able to help safeguard the vision of our patients. And even beyond, it is truly rewarding to extend much needed care to the underserved in our ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 20, 2013
Following is a guest post by Gary L. Morgan, OD, who emphasizes medical eye care in his practice, Eye Tech Eye Associates. Dr. Morgan is also an early adopter of new technology, and he's published and lectured on the clinical advantages of ...
Perhaps you have experienced this in your practice:Mary arrives for her eye exam with her one-year-old son Sam in tow.Sam utters a blood curdling scream just as we are getting started.Mary bolts out of the exam chair and offers Sam her iPhone.Sam ...
No doubt about it, technology has really changed how we communicate. Look at this progression: speaking, shouting, two cans and a string, pony express, snail mail, telegraph, landline telephones, cellular telephones, e-mail, text messaging, and now ...
With the reality of healthcare reform squarely before us, the efficacy of many traditional healthcare practices is being challenged. One such consideration is to question whether or not screening adults without symptoms for glaucoma in a primary care ...
As a kid, I was always amazed at how many fish my father would catch compared to me. I assumed that he was just luckier…until one day he shared an important secret. He explained that I had to actually visualize the fish selecting my bait among all the ...
I am sure you know that the same product is often marketed under various names. For example, generic aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can be found bearing the name of a manufacturer, a distributor, or a store. For various reasons, suppliers choose to ...
Have you ever heard this conversation in your dispensary?Optical staff: Let’s pick 3–5 of your favorite styles and then go through your best lens options.Patient: No, that’s OK. I’m going to shop around—I think all I need is a copy of my prescription ...
Take a look at the following tag lines: Inspiration for the senses Thrive Imagination takes flight WowI’ll bet you can’t guess the industries that are being promoted. In order: Visitors bureau HMO Museum Car dealerWhat do you think these various ...
I am sure you are familiar with the exercise where you tell a story to the first person, who tells it to a second, and a third, and so on. By the time it gets back to the originator, it is almost always a far different story. This very phenomenon can ...
I've received some questions from doctors about how VSP Vision Care sells to employers and what the sales team does to promote independent optometry. Lucinda Ward, Regional Sales Manager, answers a few of those questions.How has competition ...
The two most commonly referred to statistics in optometric practice are: number of patients and net receipts. While these two statistics do provide some useful information, it would be much better to find the reasons behind the numbers.
There is no doubt about it—we optometrists have the best job in the world. We help our patients see better, and in the process, improve their quality of life. Pretty cool! Can you think of a better reason to go to work?
Wow, have things ever changed. Just look at how far we have come: mechanical to automated, Polaroid to digital, and paper to electronic. Clearly, data collection and reporting have changed forever. In fact, every aspect of patient care is being ...
The story is timeless. It's David v. Goliath. It's Hickory v. South Bend Central. It's the underdog prevailing over the favorite.How in the world do these upsets happen?Why are some folks intimidated, while others achieve legendary success?
VSP Vision Care is a private, not-for-profit, community-based company whose mission is to help eye doctors in their quest to help people see. That commitment is in full view every day, and certainly, in times of crisis as VSP reached out to people in ...
The following post is an open letter from Stuart Thomas, OD, Chairman of the VSP Global Board of Directors, and Rob Lynch, President and CEO of VSP Global. We appreciate the blog posted January 28 by the AOA entitled Critics say VSP's online dispensary ...
Hasn’t this football season been great?! We just made it through the bowl season and we are on our way to Super Bowl XLVII. Each game has a favorite, but as we all know, lots of upsets! What makes the difference?
We all know the story. If you put a frog in hot water, he will immediately jump out…to safety. However, if you put a frog in cool water and slowly increase the temperature, he will not recognize the danger…and will stay in the water to his demise.What ...
Don’t you just hate it when you deliver a “clear message” only to have the receiver miss the most important point? I am reminded of an episode where my father and I misunderstood my pick-up location after a day of deer hunting.“I’ll meet you at the ...
Once upon a time, a group of optometrists in the San Francisco Bay Area had a dream—to offer high-quality, cost-effective eye care as a prepaid benefit. Prior to this historic beginning, optometry was not part of third-party healthcare. The group ...
On October 30, the California Health Benefit Exchange Board voted to include stand-alone vision plans in their soon-to-open state insurance exchange. This important decision, endorsed by the California Optometric Association (COA)
One of the most important human emotions is hope. When disasters like Sandy strike, it is important that we all come together for hope to be restored. People need hope, and it takes purposeful action to make a difference.
The following guest post is the text of an e-mail from Stuart Thomas, OD, chairman of the VSP Global Board of Directors. Hear the conference call hosted by VSP immediately following the decision.
The investigative television show “60 Minutes” recently aired a segment entitled, “Sticker Shock: Why are glasses so expensive?” CNBC then followed with “Glasses giant crushing the competition.”
I love college football, and I love my Oregon State Beavers. Everything just seems better when I see happy faces on the “Orange People” after a big win. Of course, one of the keys to winning is being able to recruit talented players. Everybody wants ...
Coastal Contacts announces record-setting 3rd quarter. Reports revenues of $50M, 250K glasses sold worldwide, and increased sales of glasses in the U.S. by 77%.
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 21, 2012
I was just looking out my kitchen window: a giant fir tree, a busy squirrel, a thirsty hummingbird, and all the beautiful colors of an autumn in Oregon. The gift of sight, it should never be taken for granted.Bausch + Lomb just published its Barometer ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 14, 2012
I was thumbing through a magazine when I came upon an advertisement to visit Hawaii. A beautiful beach, a gorgeous sunset, and the promise of culture, tradition, and tropical breezes—talk about a value proposition. I could almost feel the sand beneath ...
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 04, 2012
Well, fall is in the air and it is time to get ready for some football. Whatever you do, if you are going to a game, be sure you remember your tickets. I remember a few years ago, driving two and a half hours to an Oregon State/Oregon civil war ...
If I told you that I could sign a contract that would deliver 9 out of every 10 customers to your donut shop, I am sure you would be thrilled. If I announced that winning the contract hinged on allowing customers to have a choice of where they ...
Well, it is that time of year again—time for my birthday. Have you noticed that we always wonder where has the time has gone? Surely, the world has changed and a lot has gone on—after all, an entire year has gone by—and yet, I didn’t notice.
I am blessed to live on the banks of the Columbia River in Oregon, which sports one of the great spring Chinook salmon runs. For fishermen around here, fishing is a near religious experience, but it is the fish who are the real heroes.
Well, we have officially set a record in our office. We ordered 18 frames for a single patient before she selected one. Unfortunately, we did it the old fashioned way: ordered them, paid for postage to get them in, and had to deal with frame returns and delays.
It was raining like crazy—end of June—must be Oregon, the place where summer doesn’t start until after the fourth of July. Well, at least everything is green! And then, I noticed it…muddy footprints all over my dispensary carpet.
I have had the pleasure of riding in a lot of taxi cabs in my frequent travels. It seems that everyone is embracing technology…even the taxis. Check out this partial list: GPS, surveillance cameras, digital taxi meters, credit card machines, iPod docking, cell phone charging, and, my favorite, the electronic coffee cup heater.
I remember several years ago, I wanted to get my son a new baseball cap. I knew the size, I knew the color, I knew the team…I did not think about the brand. As you might guess, my son was “brand conscious.” So, after a cap exchange we found the perfect one. …well, almost…I took the label off; kids like the labels on. Whoops. So noted!
The hosting company used for my blog experienced an equipment failure last weekend. While we were able to restore most content, some data—including a few comments from readers—couldn't be recovered.
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”Dr. Seuss
Recently, an Open Forum was held with representatives from both the AOA and VSP discussing stand-alone vision plan direct participation in the newly forming state insurance exchanges.
I grew up in rural eastern Oregon and spent a lot of time fishing in cold, wet weather. To protect from the elements, our pre-outdoor ritual was to spray water repllenet on our clothes to help keep the wet out. Time consuming, a little sticky, and not completely satisfactory—but it did help.
I had the opportunity to play on my college golf team. One day my golf coach asked me how I was doing with my midrange putting. He said that if I didn’t know, I should gather some data. To my surprise, after charting a few rounds, I found that my weakest putting distance was midrange.
An excellent strategic move in baseball is to allow a run to score in exchange for an out when your team is well ahead. After all, the ultimate goal is to win the game. This is a very apt description of the successful results to date for the VSP affiliate provider program.
We all remember the famous words sung by Sister Sledge: “We are Family.” There is no question about it; the optometric profession has always had a real sense of family. Remarkably, we actually like each other. However, that does not mean that we always agree.
Today’s post is guest-authored by Robert L. Bass, OD, FAAO, who practices in Manassas, Virginia. Dr. Bass is Vice- President of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Optometric Association, a fellow of the Virginia Academy of Optometry, and served 10 years on the VSP Board of Directors. He is also a Melvin Jones Fellow in the Manassas Host Lions Club.
High competition, low margins, regulatory burden, unstable politics, strong outside forces, worst business model ever…what industry am I talking about? The answer is independent pharmacy as described in a blog by The Redheaded Pharmacist that appeared in Pharmacy Times, December 2011.
Autorefractors are an important element in optometric practice. The primary function is to provide objective data that can be used in concert with other findings to help determine a refractive prescription.
What in the world has happened to a cup of coffee? It is no longer just coffee; it is a “venti three-shot, soy, one-pump vanilla latte with light whip and no foam!” And what is up with blue jeans? Now, they are “distressed, stonewashed, multi-color, relaxed fit and meant to be worn just south of the hambone.” Yikes!!
An article appeared in CNNMoney.com on January 5, 2012, which was titled “Doctors going broke.” The article discussed a growing problem wherein independent medical practices are facing “serious financial issues.” Reasons listed were: shrinking insurance reimbursements, changing regulations, and rising business costs, combined with reductions in both Medicare and health plan reimbursements.
by Matthew Alpert, ODI just returned from the California Optometric Association's (COA) House of Delegates. There were a number of issues to weigh in on, but fever pitch was reached when the issue of stand-alone vision plans was raised. A resolution for the COA to support stand-alone vision plans in the California state exchange achieved an overwhelming victory.
An odd thing has happened over my nearly 30 years of practice…my patients are getting older (and so am I). It has been a remarkable transformation. In many ways, I think it is quite similar to what we experience as our own families get older.
In November, I invited fellow optometrists to share their stories. Thank you to everyone who submitted a story. I enjoyed reading them all, but following is my favorite story from those submitted. It was shared by Dr. Stephen Cohen.
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. Of this group, it is estimated that fully one third of diabetics are undiagnosed. Throw in an additional 79 million in the prediabetes risk category and you get a good idea about the breadth of this disease.
There I was, at the VSP® Vision Care booth—smack dab between the nutrition table and the chronic back pain table—as employees of Columbia Sportswear filed by at their annual benefits fair.
We cannot and should not allow access to diminish through stand-alone vision plans until we have ensured equal access and standing within health plans.
You know, I still remember the day I finally convinced my parents that I needed contact lenses. I was a high school baseball player and was certain that the only obstacle between me and the major leagues was my glasses. Well, I love my contact lenses, even to this day. Unfortunately, I never learned to hit the curve ball.
One of the real blessings of private practice is having the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship with our patients. Our patients become our friends and almost seem like family. We know what they like and don’t like. We know their jobs, their hobbies, and their interests.
I grew up in eastern Oregon where we often experienced afternoon thunderstorms. First, you could feel the wind, then the temperature would drop, and finally the rain would come. This is exactly how I would characterize the acceleration in online optical sales.
I have been getting questions from doctors about what VSP® Vision Care is doing to win contracts since I blogged about the loss of the IBM contract. It just so happens that I have been putting this blog together to give you a glimpse of the efforts being made by VSP to connect patients with doctors, so, it is timely that I share this with you now.
When you go fishing, the number of fish in the pond is very important in predicting your chance of catching one. Adding fish to the pond increases your chances; removing fish from the pond decreases your chances.
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 19, 2011
Progress, to me, means real improvement. Activity, however, does not necessarily result in progress at all. Remember Hans and Franz…members of the foreign legion. One day, their commandant announced that he had “good news.”
By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO |
September 12, 2011
In evaluating the worth of a product, whose opinion is more important, the manufacturer or the purchaser? The answer, of course, is the purchaser. And, in choosing among sources for a product, how do you decide who to buy from?
You know everyone has a unique story of how they ended up as a private-practice optometrist. After starting this blog, I realized that you might be wondering about my story. After reading below, you will find that I am just one of many using real-life experiences to help me connect with patients and run my business.
Think about it. We are now living smack dab in the middle of what used to be the future. When I graduated in 1980, who could have envisioned that optometry would elevate and become the fantastic patient care profession which we know today?
I am proud to be an independent, private-practice doctor of optometry. My independence has allowed me the freedom to have a patient-first focus. Personal responsibility and integrity govern my practice without the undue influence of profit-centric pressure from above.
Ok, I am officially a Baby Boomer—a fifty-something shopper. I look in the phone book, wonder which store might have my desired product, and hunt store to store until I find what I am after. My daughter, however, is a generation ‘Y’ shopper.
In any competition, if the game changes, the strategy must also change for continued success.
Such is the case with VSP® Vision Care in the managed vision care market. The needs and requirements of the client have changed. To remain competitive, VSP must also change to be able to meet clients’ needs.
Every day we go to work trying to do the very best job for our patients. And yet, the impressions that patients sometimes get never cease to amaze me. My favorite, of course, is for one of my patients to tell me that they like me a lot better than ...
Hi again. Needless to say, change is upon us. Whether it be my hairline, the economy, or my distance off the tee, all are being tested. Change is also upon us in our optometric practices with a down economy, stronger competition, and increasing purchasing online, to name a few.
Hi there, yes, it’s me again. Do you know the number one statistic which doctors keep track of in their practices? Yes, it is the number of patients, i.e., how full is my appointment book? How many patients this month, compared with how many patients last month?
Hi there, it’s me again. It is hard to believe, but I am officially able to reflect on a 30-year career in optometry. We all recognize the tremendous increase in scope of practice and optometry’s emergence as an integral part of the healthcare team.
This is my very first blog. It is great to reach out to other private practitioners and engage you all in a dialogue regarding VSP and our profession. VSP has one and only one mission: to deliver patients to member doctor practices.
