BLOG: Build your practice with digital eye strain

Does your practice need a boost? Do you feel like you are working harder for less? Are you feeling the pressure of the alternative channels patients are using for obtaining eye wear and contact lenses? Are you in a state of angry disbelief over the amount of reimbursement received in a recent check from an insurance company?

What can we do?

Now that the holidays are over, year-end financials are completed and we are a few weeks into the New Year, what can we do to grow our practices? Here is an idea: If you have not read the newly released 2016 Digital Eye Strain Report from the Vision Council, take a look. If you have read it, take another look, but this time with an eye out for practice building opportunities. It is full of statistics that can be used to create marketing opportunities for your practice. And reading between the lines, there is an important theme when it comes to digital device usage and the potential for eye problems: consumer awareness.

For example, the report says that “76.9% of parents report being somewhat or very concerned about the impact of digital devices on children’s developing eyes.” It also says that “70% of parents who let their children use devices for 3 or more hours a day, or who do not set limits, report being very or somewhat concerned about the impact of digital devices on their children’s developing eyes.”

In other words, parents are concerned about the health effects of digital devices on their children’s eyes, but they are uncertain as to what to do about it. These statistics are likely fueled by the fact that over the last couple of years, there has been an increase in mainstream media reports on the fact that blue light is emitted from digital devices, and that there is potential for harm. Isn’t this a perfect opportunity for us to empower parents, discussing blue light protective lenses as a way to protect their children?

I like to discuss blue light protective lenses as safety eye wear. Parents would not let their children work in a woodshop without protective eye wear, so why should they let their kids use digital devices without protection? And don’t forget about those who do not need refractive correction. I can attest to the fact that ready-made plano blue light protective eye wear has been highly successful in practice.

Here’s another statistic from the report: 90% of patients do not talk to their eye care provider about digital device usage.

And why would they? Computers, tablets and smart phones have become so much a part of our everyday lives that patients just accept that eye fatigue is a natural consequence of usage. A simple question added to our history forms asking how many hours are spent on computers, tablets and smart phones can provide an opportunity for us to educate patients on the effects of blue light. This, in turn, allows us to offer solutions to alleviate symptoms of digital eye strain and provide protection.

These are just a few of the statistics cited in the report that can be used to jump-start your practice growth this year. There are many more that can be tailored for your use in your unique practice situation. And while the report primarily focused on eye wear solutions, I would also encourage you to not forget about the opportunity macular pigment supplementation affords. Implementing supplements to enhance our patient’s visual performance and protect from long-term photo-oxidative retinal damage is a service we should all be providing.

Happy New Year!

Reference:

The Vision Council. Digital Eye Strain Report 2016. http://www.thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/2416_VC_2016EyeStrain_Report_WEB.pdf.