Practice Management

Contact lens safety has been in the spotlight even more than usual since the FDA released recommendations on the use and packaging of multipurpose solutions in June.

Patient-centered practice management consists of making improvements in the business and operational aspects of your optometry practice to enhance the patient experience.

Some good things come out of a recession, including a need to be creative and open to change.

Glaucoma technology is swiftly evolving.

The American Academy of Optometry's annual conference, Academy 2009 Orlando, will be held Nov. 11 to 14 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center in Orlando.

One optometrist, upon realizing that in the past year, 25% of his patients had lost jobs or health insurance, found a way to give back.

What do you, as a manager, do when you can't find the personnel you need?

The FDA has given 501(k) marketing clearance for a new digital fundus camera that combines mydriatic and non-mydriatic functions in a single device.

The call for electronic recordskeeping has become more insistent.

During tough economy, some try to economize by cutting back on medication use.

One optometrist has been on a mission for 25 years to develop and grow generations of paraoptometrics.

Electronic health records are only part of the process of going paperless.

Overcoming generational differences means not only understanding each generation, but respecting them all.

By the year 2030, the elderly population of the United States is projected to more than double, from 35 million to 72 million people.

A new software program that automatically aligns digital retinal or optic nerve photographs taken several years apart and alternates them to allow clinicians to look for changes over time may improve the speed and accuracy of glaucoma diagnosis.

Various billing options can help maximize practice income and turn vision loss into a profit center.

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.

Demands for increased efficiency from doctors will intensify as vision plans and medical insurance plans drive reimbursement downward. To meet these demands, doctors need to train staff members to handle more responsibilities and keep the doctor focused on taking care of patients.

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.

A doctor-owner needs timely and accurate information about business activity in his or her practice. The doctor-owner must capture and incorporate those data to effectively implement improvements in the practice.

Running an optical shop requires business skills, which are not taught in optometry school. Training staff on customer service best practices can help increase a loyal customer base and keep current customers faithful. By helping employees learn and apply a few basic skills, the bottom line may never look so good.