ECP Viewpoints

When Dr. Amanda Brown first launched into myopia management, she was the only optometrist in her practice and one of the few in Lubbock, Texas, to offer this service. Fast forward to today, Dr. Brown has grown a successful myopia management specialty. In this ECP Viewpoints Podcast hosted by Dr. Justin Kwan, Dr. Brown shares the key lessons she learned along the way and the blueprint for her current success.

When it comes to getting parents to say “yes” to myopia treatment, Dr. Brown encourages her colleagues just getting started in myopia management not to be discouraged.

“It takes a lot of noes to get to the yeses,” Dr. Brown says in the podcast. “So, don't get discouraged. And then the more yeses you get, the more encouraging it will be.”

Other key points from the conversation include:

- The importance of keeping the myopia discussion simple yet impactful and custom-tailoring communication to parents based on their knowledge of myopia.

- How a successful myopia management practice, from scheduling to education, requires a team effort.

- Best practices and confidence builders when treating younger children.

When you buy an existing practice with an older adult patient base but want to launch into myopia management, where do you start? In this ECP Viewpoints Podcast, Dr. Dale Choi of Hope Vision Care returns for a deeper dive into the practice management side of myopia management. Along with host Dr. Justin Kwan of CooperVision, Dr. Choi shares how he built a strong myopia management foundation from day one based on a few key strategies.

Highlights from the conversation include:

• Why planting the myopia management seed early is key

• How to build meaningful relationships with pediatricians and other stakeholders for referrals

• Strategies to get your entire staff on board with myopia management

• Setting monthly myopia management benchmark goals

Comfort and handling play integral roles in a successful contact lens wearing experience and likewise, represent two core reasons why patients drop-out of contact lens wear. In this ECP Viewpoints Podcast, CooperVision’s Dr. Jennifer Palombi is joined by Dr. Mike Shaheen of Hills & Dales Vision and Dr. Sahil Dosaj of Miller Optometry to discuss the unique science and benefits of Aquaform® Technology found in Biofinity® and MyDay® contact lens families.

Their conversation focuses on how Aquaform® Technology delivers all-day comfort, breathability, and softness along with an optimal modulus for lens handling; patients’ long-term wearing success in Biofinity® and MyDay® contact lenses; and how Aquaform® Technology supports patients whether they are digital device users, presbyopes, or spherical or toric wearers.

Annual supply sales of contact lenses are rapidly becoming a game-changer for optometry practices, presenting an opportunity to merge profitability with enhanced patient care. As optometrists navigate a market increasingly influenced by online retail, they face the crucial question: How can annual supply sales be optimized to benefit both the practice and the patient? This strategic focus is not just about boosting immediate profits—it's about fostering long-term patient loyalty and streamlining operations in an era where convenience is king.

Dr. Jennifer Palombi, the head of professional education and development at CooperVision, and Dr. Jennifer Stewart, the Chief Vision Officer of OD Perspectives, delve into annual supply sales on the ECP Viewpoints Podcast. They address the pivotal role of annual supply capture in optometry practices and explore actionable strategies for optimizing these sales.

Key discussion points include:

- The direct impact of annual supply sales on patient retention and practice revenue

- The importance of streamlining the process to make it easy for patients to commit to annual supplies

- The strategic approach to patient conversations that shift the mindset from transactional to relational, emphasizing the benefits of annual supplies for patient eye health and compliance.

Dr. Jennifer Stewart is renowned for her business acumen and recent venture into starting a new practice from scratch. With a wealth of experience in optometry, both as a practitioner and a consultant, Dr. Stewart brings valuable insights into effectively managing a practice and enhancing patient care through strategic sales.

Annual supply sales of contact lenses present an opportunity to not only maximize a practice’s bottom line but can also enhance patient care and patient loyalty in an era when convenience is king. In this recent ECP Viewpoints Podcast, CooperVision’s Dr. Jennifer Palombi, Director of Professional Education and Development for the Americas at CooperVision, and Dr. Jennifer Stewart, founder of Look New Canaan and Chief Vision Officer for OD Perspectives, share actionable strategies to increase annual supply sales, including streamlining operations to make annual purchases easier for patients, internal practice metrics to monitor, patient communication strategies, and staff training tips.

At the summit in Austin, we had the opportunity to connect with the 2024 Best Practice Student Honorees: Kendra Kim from SUNY College of Optometry, Alice Kim from the University of Alabama School of Optometry, and Meagan Seufert from Pacific College of Optometry.

Summit Experience Highlights:

The honorees shared their most impactful moments from the event:

Kendra Kim found inspiration in the keynote speaker’s emphasis on taking immediate action on innovative ideas, stressing that there is no perfect time or place to start.

Alice Kim highlighted the importance of maintaining creativity in optometry, both in patient care and practice management, ensuring a dynamic and innovative environment.

Meagan Seufert, coming from an arts background, valued the intersection of creativity and innovation in optometry. She learned from seasoned professionals about implementing creative solutions in practice.

Learning and Application:

They also discussed how they learned about the Best Practices program and the application process. The networking opportunities and real-world insights gained from the summit were particularly appreciated. Conversations with experienced practitioners provided invaluable lessons for their future careers.

Impact on Future Practice:

As they prepare for their externships, the honorees reflected on how the summit influenced their approach to patient care. They emphasized the importance of forming strong patient connections and incorporating creativity into their practices.

Myopia Management Insights:

The honorees also explored myopia management. They discussed the importance of educating patients and parents, and the necessity of standardizing educational materials. They are enthusiastic about implementing these insights in their future practices.

Final Thoughts:

Summing up their experiences in a few impactful words, the honorees expressed their overall sentiments:

Kendra: "Contagious passion"

Alice: "Pivotal"

Meagan: "Innovation, creativity, and advocacy"

Conclusion:

The Best Practices Student Podcast 2024 continues to support the next generation of optometrists, sharing inspiring stories and insights from optometry.

When Dr. Dale Choi first bought Hope Vision Care with his wife, a fellow optometrist, the couple knew they wanted to add myopia management as a key focus of care. The only challenge? The existing private practice they purchased had no pediatric patients. In this ECP Viewpoints Podcast, Dr. Choi sits down with CooperVision’s Dr. Justin Kwan to discuss how he built a successful myopia management practice from scratch, and why planting the myopia management treatment seed early is vital for the child and the practice.

When Dr. Dale Choi first bought Hope Vision Care with his wife, a fellow optometrist, the couple knew they wanted to add myopia management as a key focus of care. The only challenge? The existing private practice they purchased had no pediatric patients. In this ECP Viewpoints Podcast, Dr. Choi sits down with CooperVision’s Dr. Justin Kwan to discuss how he built a successful myopia management practice from scratch, and why planting the myopia management treatment seed early is vital for the child and the practice.

What challenges and opportunities do young optometrists encounter as they navigate their early optometric careers? Dr. Stephanie Schumacher, OD, FAAO, recently joined CooperVision’s Dr. Steve Rosinksi, OD, in this recent ECP Viewpoints ℠ Podcast where she shares insight on how she leveraged her optometry school experience and cornea and contact lens residency to help launch her first full-time role at an OD/MD practice. Dr. Schumacher also offers tips on how to create a work-life balance when you’re first getting started in the profession.

What challenges and opportunities do young optometrists encounter as they navigate their early optometric careers? Dr. Stephanie Schumacher, OD, FAAO, recently joined CooperVision’s Dr. Steve Rosinksi, OD, in this recent ECP Viewpoints ℠ Podcast where she shares insight on how she leveraged her optometry school experience and cornea and contact lens residency to help launch her first full-time role at an OD/MD practice. Dr. Schumacher also offers tips on how to create a work-life balance when you’re first getting started in the profession.