Carol Patton

Despite what some people believe, social media isn't a fad.

Telemedicine offers a number of patient benefits, and the exchange of clinical information enhances the delivery of patient care.

Since 1993, Dr. Weiberg, who practices optometry full time at The Eclectic Eye in Memphis, has patrolled the streets of Memphis as a volunteer officer.

An expert advises outsourcing responsibilties that no one in your office is skilled or trained to handle.

As the drummer for Smooth, a popular jazz band that routinely plays at venues throughout the Poconos, Anthony Diecidue, OD, can't remember a time when he wasn't playing the drums or performing with other band musicians.

Some of the local men of Italian descent who visit Armstrong Eye Care Associates in Kittanning, PA, often bear gifts.

Mark Horowitz, OD, in practice in southern Florida, has been a professional magician for 50 years.

With individuals spending more time online than in the past, optometrists can use social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to build or grow their practices.

Multi-specialty practices are becoming more commonplace.

It's been 20 years since one optometrist has been in school, but he's still playing the sport he grew to love back then - beach volleyball.

A green office environment is not only healthier for you, your staff and your patients, but also for your practice's bottom line.

Do your employees know what you expect of them?

For most of his adult life, Maurice Geldert, OD, was not a religious man.

Be prepared to describe your practice's goals during vendor meetings.

Though a busy man, Andrew Jones, OD, wouldn't give up dirt bike racing if you handed him a flourishing optometry practice for free.

When patients cannot pay their optometrist, they will often avoid care to avoid embarrassment. Optometrists can help these patients get the care they need and keep their business by offering a variety of payment methods.

A new software program (Luma, Eyemaginations Inc.) offers more than 100 computer animations that help optometrists clearly explain eye-care products, diseases, and treatment options to patients.

Easy steps that can help reduce theft from your optical shop include strategic placement of displays and posters, not leaving locked cases open, and limiting the number of frames that are out at one time.

Marketing is highly effective when done right, but many optometrists think they either must spend a fortune or spend very little. Developing an accurate profile of a practice's existing patient base is an important first step in creating a marketing campaign that delivers a strong return on investment.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be an effective diagnostic tool that enables optometrists to examine the retina layer by layer. It also can offer quantitative data about the retinal nerve fiber layer. Some doctors believe that the biggest advantage of OCT is what it reveals about the vitreomacular interface.

Many optometrists are eager to open a new practice but want a partner. The groundwork for joining forces with someone includes doing your homework and not rushing the process.