Eye Center Boutique Opens 10th Location with Q-2100
Eye Center Boutique of Puerto Rico opened their tenth location with a Q-2100 Digital Lens System and nanoCLEAR AR unit this April. “With nine very successful locations across the island, the addition of a tenth boutique was the logical next step.” The newest location, positioned on the northern coast, approximately 15 miles from San Juan, continues to capitalize on their unique optical concept of selling high end handbags and shoes with prescription eyewear. What better way to cater to fashion conscious consumers.
Optical Dynamics is proud to have our technology as an integral part of their successful business plan and looks forward to working with this up and coming retail chain as they continue to grow.
Patients Appreciate Fast Delivery
Mary Sheedy is an Optican at Ortiz Eye Associates in Morris, IL and has been dispensing eyewear processed with the Q-2100 Digital Lens System for over 10 years. “I like that we make our own lenses in house, it saves the practice money on ordering out jobs and the fast turn around time for the patients is great,” shared Mary.
“The patients really like the lens quality and appreciate our in-office lens capability,” added Mary.
State Managed Vision Care Laws Tracking
Published by the VCA
Below are a list of states with recent laws positively impacting the use of in-office lens production.
Alabama: The Access to Eye Care Act prohibits insures of vision care services from…choosing sources of suppliers.
Arkansas: Cannot restrict or limit the vision care provider’s choice of optical labs or sources and suppliers of services or materials.
Kansas: No vision care insurance policy…or discount plan that provides covered services or materials will be allowed to limit the choice of sources and suppliers of materials by a patient of a vision care provider.
Maine: A vision care plan cannot restrict an eye care provider in an agreement from choosing its sources and supplies of services and materials.
Missouri: Vision care insurance policies and vision care discount plans that provide covered services for materials cannot directly or indirectly limit providers’ choice of sources and supplier of materials.
Oregon: You cannot restrict a provider’s choice of suppliers of materials.
Texas: A managed care plan cannot “restrict or limit a choice of sources or suppliers of services or materials, including optical laboratories.”
Virginia: The vision care plan cannot require a provider to use a particular optical lab.
Out With the Old, In With the New
Family Vision Center in Hobbs, NM, has been providing eyecare to the Southeastern New Mexico and West Texas since 1977. Celebrating their 9-year anniversary with Optical Dynamics, Family Vision Center is family owned practice. Drs. Reber and Reber added the Q-2100 and nanoCLEAR AR unit after attending the South West Council of Optometry trade show where the technology was shown.
According to the lab manager, “we no longer use the old, loud surfacing generator to make our progressive lenses as this outdated way of making them was time consuming and many mistakes could be made.” “Now with the Q-2100 it takes but a few minutes to get the CFL progressive lenses ready for the customer and there are fewer errors as the computer gives us the corrects molds to use,” he added. “The lenses are very accurate and patients are very happy with their lenses and they keep coming back,” he concluded.
When asked what he likes best about the technology the lab manager shared, “What I like best is that as an office, we can now provide the best quality lenses in the shortest amount of time for our patients. The lenses are thin and the clarity is amazing. We recommend the lenses to all our patients.”
Mix it Up, a Recipe for Success
In Optometric Management, Author Jay Binkowitz shares a recipe for Success:
- Create curbside appeal
- Signage
- Storefront
- Display window
- Update your space
- Wall color
- Lighting
- Furniture
- Displays
- Extend a warm welcome
- Do you customers receive a friendly welcome from someone who anticipates and appreciates their visit?
- Dress the part
- Scrubs at the office are quickly becoming a thing of the past
- Flip the script
- Flip from a patient-consumer experience to a consumer- patient experience
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Positive Language to Sell Photochromics
Eyecare Business By Susan Tarrant
There are many benefits of photochromic eyewear. They are adaptable, so patients can have comfortable vision in varying light conditions. They provide the convenience of having one pair for both indoor and outdoor wear. They provide UV protection. They also perform like never before…
Photochromic lenses provide excellent, comfortable vision in all lighting conditions, indoors and out. They are for everyday wear, and though not considered a replacement for sunwear, can provide patients comfortable vision outdoors.
SO CHOOSE YOUR WORDS
We all know the importance of doctor-driven lens recommendations. We know the importance of optical staff following up on that message once the patient leaves the exam room. But what you may not know is the importance of the language you use when discussing lens options, particularly options like photochromics. 
A Transitions Optical, Inc., study finds that using positive, neutral, or, of course, negative language has an impact on the patient’s overall experience.
75% – of the patients who hear “positive” language from their ECPs regarding lens options report a positive eyecare experience and are more satisfied with the overall visit.
58% – who hear negative language (including product disclaimers) report a negative overall experience.
How a product is recommended is just as important as actually making the recommendation. The study finds that, even when it comes to discussing product benefits, a patient may perceive disclaimers as “negative,” even if the ECP believes he is making a helpful, neutral observation.
Some examples, from the study, of the “positive” language used:
■ Can be worn indoors and outdoors
■ UV protection
■ Adapt to a variety of lighting conditions
■ Are convenient
■ Match level of tint to light
■ High quality
Some examples of “negative” language used:
■ Don’t work while driving in a car
■ Won’t work as well as sunglasses
■ Too expensive
■ Not dark enough outdoors
■ Don’t get dark/clear fast enough
■ Not completely clear indoors
Guidlines for Good Communication
Always remember the importance of good communication even in difficult situations. It can make the difference between a positive customer experience for repeat business or an unhappy customer that dose not return.
Listening:
- Give your full attention to the speaker
- Do not interrupt
- Maintain eye contact
- Use positive body language
- Use active listening signals such as head movement for agreement
Verbal:
- Be open
- Be honest
- Be courteous
- Be constructive
- Do not promote defensiveness
Written:
- Write with a clear purpose in mind
- Precision of message
- Non confrontational
- A hand written card/thank you is always a nice touch