PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS
Published in the March/April 2014 issue
WORKERS’ EYES NEED SOME TLC
Work is a pain in the eyes. New research sponsored by Transitions Optical found that 79 percent of employees encounter at least one visual disturbance that bothers their eyes at work, and more than half (53 percent) say they take at least one break daily to rest their eyes. “Eye health is critical to staff performance, and is a huge contributor to productivity,” said Dr. Vincent Young, chairman of the Division of Ophthalmology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. The top visual complaint is tired eyes, reported by nearly half (47 percent) of employees. For materials that emphasizes the importance of eye exams and quality vision wear for the workforce, see healthysightworkingforyou.org
TAKE FLIGHT WITH CHILDREN’S EYECARE
A key part of the Affordable Care Act is its focus on children’s eyesight. EyeCarePro has a free integrated marketing campaign designed to help you reach out to families about the importance of eyecare for academic success and overall well-being. The campaign includes resources for print ads, fliers, email messages, posters, Web pages and social media covers. It’s available in a personalized version which allows the practice to include contact details and company logo or a generic version which can be used as is. Visit eyecarepro.net or download the campaign at invmag.us/31411.
A TOOL TO HELP WITH PHOTO POSTS
Social media gets more visual every day, and BoutiqueWindow’s website and accompanying app allow you to integrate your Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter accounts and post photos to each simultaneously. Check out the 15-day free trial at boutiquewindow.com, and see Daniel Feldman’s column on page 54 to learn more about using Instagram and Pinterest to promote your business.
GET A HANDLE ON YOUR DATA
Eyecare providers collect a ton of data, and in that data are patterns that could lead to more efficient operations and higher revenue. The challenge is to identify the patterns. To help, Glimpse — an optometry-focused software company in Jacksonville Beach, FL — has developed an application that taps into a practice’s existing databases to generate userfriendly reports. Glimpse can track how many new patients a practice is seeing and how much business is coming from optical, contact lenses and medical treatment. “Getting good data is labor-intensive,” says co-founder Dr. Larry Wan, but Glimpse aims to streamline the process and make the results more useful. Learn more at glimpselive.com.
DOCS TALK DIABETES
April is Defeat Diabetes Month — a good time to download “Optometrists Form Front Line in Battling Diabetes,” a discussion transcript from a panel at last summer’s AOA Congress in San Diego. Topics include in-office testing for hemoglobin levels, educating patients about conditions, and more. “It’s really important for patients and other providers to know that we’re having a real impact on their overall diabetes management by providing education about the fundamentals of good diabetes self-care,” said panelist Dr. Tina Mac Donald, director of the Diabetes and Vision Loss Program at The Center for the Partially Sighted in Culver City, CA. (Read more about that program on page 58.) The digital supplement is available at invmag.us/31412.
BEAT BLINDNESS WITH GRANT MONEY
March 31 is the deadline to apply for the Joanne Angle Investigator Award from Prevent Blindness. These research grants fund projects that examine the burden or economic aspects of eye disease and vision loss on society; best practices to integrate vision screening and follow-up care to system care access; or vision program effectiveness/evaluation. All grants need to promote the core mission of Prevent Blindness: preventing blindness and preserving sight. Basic laboratory science research will not be supported under this program. To learn more and apply, visit preventblindness.org/investigator-awards.
3 WAYS TO BRAG ABOUT YOUR JOB
We’re always on the lookout for cool products that help you tell the world that you’re an eyecare pro … and proud of it! Here are three new items we discovered online.
IDOCTOR SHIRT FITS YOU TO A ‘T’
ODs and ophthalmologists: Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your medical credentials (and your tech savvy) with iDoctor-themed products. And who doesn’t look good in black? The longsleeved shirt pictured here is sold at $31.45 at Zazzle. Short-sleeved T’s are available, too. invmag.us/3148
VINTAGE STYLE, ALWAYS TIMELY
If nostalgia is your thing, honor your professional heritage with a watch featuring a vintage, early-20th-century eyechart motif. Choose this look with a black leather strap from Zazzle for $58.95. Also available in this motif: mouse pads, business cards, T-shirts and phone covers. invmag.us/31410
GIVE YOUR TABLET A FRESH LOOK
Dress your iPad or Kindle in this smart, sturdy cover handmade in San Francisco. Cases feature eco-friendly ink and a stain-resistant laminate wrapped around recycled book boards. The iPad 2/3/4 version also supports the wake-on-open, sleep-on-close feature. The case sells for $39 at Kekacase.com; add $10 to personalize it. invmag.us/3149