Starting The Year on a High Note ECPs Share The Positive Changes to The Optometry Profession in The Last Decade

quesion:

What has been the most positive change you’ve seen in the profession of optometry in the last 10 years?

• All of the platforms designed to help with patient recall and insurance authorization have made the front desk position run so much more smoothly! Wide field imaging has been a great change as well. — Morgan D., Carmi, IL
• More women and minorities in the industry. — Cindy H., Chattanooga, TN
• I haven’t been in the business for 10 years quite yet, but just since being in the industry a lot of things have changed. I think the most positive changes have been photochromatics turning faster and darker. Also seeing how much progressive lenses have advanced and how that’s helping our patients. — Emily C., Charlotte, NC
• All of the dry eye testing and equipment. It really can set an office apart and strengthens the role of optometrist. — Susan K., Phoenix, AZ
• People really want to support local businesses. I have also found that more and more people are disappointed with their attempt to purchase eyewear online so they come in for quality. — Nancy R., Petaluma, CA
• Embracing medical optometry niches. — Tory M., Dumas, TX
• Focus on sustainability with recycling programs for eyeglass lenses/contacts and frame companies really embracing zero waste production. — Kelsey B., Winston Salem, NC
• Online — Opticians on Facebook and John Seeger’s contents on YouTube and website are so good for this industry to share knowledge and help all of us grow. — Daniel H., Ontario, CA
• People are more aware of the importance of protecting their eyes from UV due to more screen time. — Deb J., Bismarck, ND
• Growing recognition that vision plans can’t be our dictators. Independent optometry has a future! — Jen H., Sandpoint, ID
• Vendor competition to create better technologies to diagnose blinding eye diseases. More and better cameras, OCT’s, Visual Fields, and newer devices that didn’t exist. It’s exciting to have more “power” against blinding diseases. — Mark C., Pittsburgh, PA
• Optometrists who can comfortably see more than just routine eyecare exams. — Michele M., Fredericksburg, VA
• Optometrists are starting to realize the value of well trained, knowledgeable opticians. — Pablo M., Atlanta, GA
• The advancement in the equipment for doctors and techs. The computer software available to reduce phone calls for confirming appointments, recalls, notifying orders are ready, etc. — Danielle D., Detroit, MI
• Embracing technology, making our jobs more productive and helping more people. — Jenna G., Fargo, ND
• I’ve seen a lot in 20 years! ODs can now prescribe oral medications, lenses have come so far (no more coke bottles!), the selection of frames is so much broader. I’m loving the new dry eye treatments we offer our patients too. — Amy F., East Brunswick, NJ
• Digital progressive lenses. — Julie U., Jupiter, FL
• Being able to prescribe medications and do post op visits when working with an MD. — BJ C., McQueeney, TX
• I haven’t felt a lot of positive in the last 10 years — growth in managed care, corporate takeovers, online opening brick and mortar. If we travel a little further back the last major positive impact was digital surfacing. — Michael L., Reno, NV
• Perhaps increase diversity of specialties along with some commonsense scope expansion in some states. — Zachary D., Saint Peter, MN
• AI technology for progressives, and WAY BETTER anti-reflective coatings. — Amy D., Fergus Falls, MN
• I feel more patients look to optometrists for medical than in the past. — Kathryn C., Lititz, PA
• New private practices opening with the willingness to be independent and not an industry drone. — Jason K., Phoenix, AZ
• More female ODs! — Kristina J., Mishawaka, IN
• I do think we are seen more as primary providers of eyecare as well as overall healthcare. Patients know that we communicate with their primary care providers regarding their health (especially our diabetic patients) and they realize how much more important their eye health is. — Cynthia S., Lewis Center, OH
• The ability to prescribe medications. — Rick R., Girard, PA
• Embracing the medical side. — Betsy B., Zionsville, IN
• With corporate medicine and eyecare, it’s going downhill. Personal human services are slowly disappearing. — Dan A., Port St. Lucie, FL
• Since COVID, patients seem to have a lot more patience. — Deborah T., Austin, TX
• The increased understanding of public perception as to what an optometrist actually is. — Ben T., Miami, FL
• Respect for opticians not just ophthalmologists and optometrist but the third O … the worker bees so to speak. — Chris C., Panama City, FL