Here’s the reality: declining reimbursements are hitting practices hard. How do we offset lost revenue without sacrificing patient care? In this episode, Matt and Vance take a look at the current patient landscape and share how you can regain lost income.

Patients still want spectacle freedom. But do they want LASIK? In part two of this series, Matt and Vance share how to look at vision correction holistically, including the full spread of refractive surgery options. Learn the old-school patient education tactic that’s having a comeback, the value of checklists to empower patients, and the importance of prioritizing outcome over pricing.

Spoiler alert: LASIK is still king, it’s just time to tell its story differently. In this episode, Matt and Vance hand you the playbook for effectively sharing refractive options with patients in today’s age of reimbursement uncertainty. The surprising truths? You can do refractive surgery and stay friends with glasses and contacts, patients are hungry for in-person education, and tear film is key. Listen in, share the episode with your team, and present your refractive correction options with confidence.

What kind of leader lets their team members launch another business? One who knows and trusts their own strengths and weaknesses. In this episode, Matt and Vance talk about the secret to their unprecedented partnership at Vance Thompson Vision: understanding yourself and being comfortable with your team’s greatness growing. Learn about the power of creative tension, why even a consultant you disagree with can be valuable, and how to find real joy through focus.

What are you investing in today? The decisions you make now will affect your practice for decades, but it can be hard to look ahead when you’re focused on daily operations. Chart your path forward with Vance and Matt’s candid conversation on coming innovations. Discover ways to talk to patients about new technology, how to help your team scale without losing your culture, and why the future of healthcare is a clinic without walls.

Dr. Vance Thompson calls himself an “accidental vintner,” but he’s proven to be an expert in facilitating memorable moments in the tasting room. He and his business partners grew Jessup Cellars from zero wine club subscribers to over 6,000 people who feel like family. It’s no surprise that his approach mirrors the strategy at Vance Thompson Vision: start with your team. 

In this episode, Matt and Vance share the strategies behind a thriving winery that can propel your healthcare practice forward: the power of specializing, the value of surprise and delight, and the replicable science of hospitality.

“What would the patient choose if they knew what I knew?”This question drives Dr. Vance Thompson’s approach to patient care, and it touches every step of the cataract patient journey. In this episode, Matt and Vance share the stages of patient communication—from pre-call education to final provider consultation—that can transform your patients into informed decision makers. You’ll get strategies for empowering your whole team to educate cataract patients, leading to increased premium adoption and long-term patient satisfaction. 

They say, “Communication is key.” But what’s the key to successful communication? Matt and Vance discuss the importance of patient conversations at every step, from the initial consultation through post-op care and beyond.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach difficult conversations with patients and how to provide them with educational resources and proper recommendations. Gain the tools and insights to meet patients no matter where they are on their journey.

Have a question about team culture, innovation, practice development, or anything else in ophthalmology and business? Send it to [email protected] and you may hear the answer in a future episode!

Struggling to grow your practice without burning out your team? For Matt and Vance, the answer wasn't another system—it was building genuine partnerships with primary care providers.

In this episode, you'll learn how to turn collaborative care into a competitive advantage, get proven communication tactics from a former ASCRS president, and discover how the right partnerships can free up your time while growing your bottom line.

Have a question about team culture, innovation, practice development, or anything else in ophthalmology and business? Send it to [email protected] and you may hear the answer in a future episode!

Ever had that sinking feeling when a patient complaint lands in your inbox? In this candid episode, Matt and Vance reveal why those painful moments might be your practice's greatest gifts.

From combining insurance-based and elective procedures to completely rebuilding operational systems, the duo shares clinic-tested strategies for turning chaos into clarity. You'll learn about Matt’s “biggest professional mistake,” the value in choosing to see complaints as a gift, and why Vance insists on sharing hard-earned insights with competitors.

This is real-world wisdom from leaders who've stumbled, recovered, and built something extraordinary along the way. Whether you're drowning in administrative headaches or preparing for your next growth phase, this episode delivers the straight talk and practical tools you need to lead through change.

Cutting Through by Bernie Haffey