Independent Practice
American Optometric Association issued a report on the state of optometry in 2013 and they reported that there are over 22,000 optometrists who are owner/operators of an independent practice. Despite the current trends in retail, optometry seems to be the last bastion of the independent ownership. Of course, there is competition from chains, mass retailers […]
Patient Retention
True story: As a kid with myopia in the 1980’s, I had a succession of optometrists. The reason for this is that my mother’s employer’s insurance changed from one carrier to another frequently. As a result, the doctor who saw me two years before didn’t always accept the new insurance. Despite these changes, Mom got […]
Generations in the Workplace
There is a lot of discussion in the business world about the multi-generational workforce. Baby Boomers, Generation Xers and Millennials are all, more often than not, working in the same office. So if you work in a chain or a hospital, as many in eye care do, all three generations are likely represented in your […]
Keep an Eye on the Business
Today, many doctors are experiencing practice consolidation as smaller practices merge with larger ones. Despite this trend, there are still many optometry practices with single owners and only one or two doctors on staff. For the private practice owner focused on growing and thriving in today’s competitive market, taking advantage of new ideas in medicine, […]
A Computer Doesn’t Give Out Lollipops
If you are an eye care professional, by now you have probably heard of Opternative.com, which offers a vision exam to correct refractive error via computer and smartphone. A person signs up, takes the exam and a doctor reviews the findings. Within 24 hours, the patient is notified that the prescription is available. He or […]
Technology in the Practice
There are many things that can make your job as an eye care professional easier and Gulden sells some of them, of course. Still, you have to be judicious with your practice’s funds. Especially when it comes to items that are tech focused. After all, what’s high tech today is obsolete tomorrow. (Remember Palm Pilots, […]