Dr. Trevor Miranda sits down with Dr. Ritesh Patel, voted one of Toronto’s top optometrists, to explore what it takes to build a modern, patient-first optometry practice. From an unexpected opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals to being the first to pioneer LipiFlow in North America, Dr. Patel’s career has been marked by seizing the right moments, staying on top of the latest technology, and thinking outside the box to design memorable patient experiences. Dr. Patel also makes the case for progress over perfection, the need for optometrists to be the go-to experts for their patients, adding a coffee station to your clinic, and mentoring the next generation of ODs. All this and more in the latest episode!

Timestamps:

[00:05:26] Working with the Cincinnati Bengals NFL Team

[00:09:18] Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson

[00:13:19] Training your vision as an athlete

[00:15:44] Coming back to Toronto

[00:16:58 ]Childhood dream of being an optometrist

[00:20:22] Interest in vintage cameras

[00:23:58] Entrepreneurship in college and starting a clinic

[00:27:34] Choosing the clinic location

[00:29:57] Progress not perfection

[00:31:00] Presenting your authentic self

[00:33:08] Advice to young ODs about learning from mistakes

[00:34:29] New technology in optometry

[00:36:40] LipiFlow and Working with Dr. Donald Korb

[00:40:14] Hospitality and memorable patient experiences

[00:45:46] Low-cost tips to improve the patient experience

[00:47:58] Incorporating AI in business

[00:52:46] Advances in macular degeneration treatment

[00:58:01] UV light

[01:00:20] Incremental improvement

[01:03:00] Continuing education opportunities

[01:04:02] Better 1 or Better 2

[01:10:13] Jim Shields and creating memories with your family

[01:13:18] How to “die with zero”

[01:17:39] Mentoring younger ODs

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Donald Korb – Pioneer in clinical optometry research in ocular surface disease and contact lenses

• MacuMira - Treatment for macular degeneration 

• Arunalight – Red light therapy

• “Untangled” – Book by Lisa Damour on parenting teenage daughters

• The Algebra of Wealth – Podcast with Scott Galloway

• ”The Family Boardroom” – Book by Jim Sheils on creating lasting connection with your children

• “Die with Zero” – Book by Bill Perkins on maximizing net fulfillment over net worth

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