Technology updates are vital to the health of your contact lens business

Upgrades and updates are necessary to the health of our practices.

Business owners who realize this support their systems with regular upgrades. Regarding contact lenses, this could be an upgrade to fitting tools, an improvement in diagnostic technology or an update to point-of-sale software.

Here, I discuss all three:

1 FITTING TOOLS

Optometrists should take a step back and look at what is taking up space in their practices or not adding value to their contact lens wearers anymore. Then, they should assess upgrade options.

For example, would it make sense to upgrade the topographer to streamline specialty lens fits? An additional benefit here is that such an upgrade can add more excitement to both regular and specialty contact lens fits.

2 DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY

As a healthy ocular surface is crucial for successful contact lens wear, upgraded dry eye disease diagnostic technology can be valuable to prevent dropout.

A number of options are available, so O.D.s should take a careful look to see what may help them to diagnose the chronic condition. I recommend taking a walk around the show floor at the next trade show to assess options, ask questions and, ultimately, find a good fit for the practice.

3 POINT-OF-SALE SOFTWARE

My No. 1 goal is for it to be easy for my patients to order, pay and receive their contact lenses through my practice in a variety of avenues. Unless lenses are in stock, that includes the direct shipment of all contact lenses to patients’ homes.

Is this an easy process in your office? Take a step outside the optometrist’s role and try to order contact lenses through your practice. Test your system to ensure its ease of use in a variety of circumstances: at the end of the eye exam, over the phone, on your computer and with your cell phone. Multiple systems are available to streamline checkout procedures, payments and online ordering.

EVALUATE

Try to think of upgrades and changes within your practice as a way to improve the care and experience for your contact lens patients. Take a step back; evaluate current systems, decide what needs an upgrade and get it done. Doctors, staff and your patients will notice the upgrades and appreciate the attention to detail. OM

DR. MILLER is a partner at Eyecare Professionals of Powell, Ohio. He is past president of the Ohio Optometric Association. Dr. Miller has received honoraria for consulting, lecturing, research or acting in an advisory capacity from: Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, J&J Vision Care, Revolution EHR and Shire.