IcareLabs Blog

Big news for fans of the Varilux family of progressive lenses. The new Varilux Comfort Max will be launching on August 11th, 2020! In this blog, we'll touch on everything that we know so far. We'll also take a look at where this new lens will be positioned among the many great Varilux lens offerings so you can be prepared when this lens launches later this year.

Thankfully, many of you have reopened and have started doing business in this new normal Covid-19 world we find ourselves in now. We are strong and resilient and will recover from this, but things have changed. As 2019 closed out our economy was booming. We were seeing some of the lowest unemployment levels in history, consumer confidence was high, and all was good. Then along came this virus and everything has changed.

Unemployment is at 15% and many believe it is closer to 20% with those on temporary furlough included. The consumer confidence index crashed in April to its lowest point in 6 years. We are starting to hear from a sizable group of economists that we have already entered a recession. In this politically polarized world we live in I am not sure just what to believe. I do think we all can agree that our consumers have to be shaken. Even those not affected by lay-offs or decreases in business will be a bit more conservative with their money.

How can you keep your focus on the success of your optical dispensary?

These days online reviews can make or break any business. More so for small businesses like local opticians, independent ODs,  and optical dispensaries. Of course, a bad review is something most of us strive to avoid, but how can we shift our focus on getting more of the positive reviews to be posted by all of the satisfied patients that love the new glasses you've just dispensed to them?

As optical dispensaries across America begin to open back up, it has never been more important to make sure we are all following the CDC's guidelines to protect staff and patients. This handy guide will give you the best practices for ensuring your frame offerings are disinfected.

With the start of easing restrictions put in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a better time for your optical business to focus on value products, house brand lenses, and house brand no-glare options. Many Americans have found themselves with tighter budgets than usual. These products give you the ability to lower your price points while keeping your margins intact. 

Many practices shut down due to state and federal guidelines that helped us flatten the curve for the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, some practices are still closed but look to be opening soon. Many have recently opened back up. Here are the American Optometric Associations suggestions for re-opening your practice while still practicing safety and social distancing guidelines.

Lens technology continues to grow along with the needs and wants of our patients.  More of them are seeking the best vision possible out of their lenses. While high end, compensated lenses more than fill their needs. They have also become viewed by many as a necessary evil. I believe with better understanding, almost all will see them as a necessary good with a few minor drawbacks.

In the relationship between the lab and the optician, nothing is more agreed on than the aggravation of redoes and remakes. No one wins when a job has to go back to the lab to be redone.

Above all else, the patient has to experience a delay in receiving their new glasses. Often these delays can harm your reputation as an eye care professional. When the delay goes on long enough it could cost you return business and even force a refund and lost sale.

The hard part has been done. Your marketing efforts paid off and you have a new patient. Now comes the next step, what do you to keep them coming back year after year?

Retaining your patient base might be the most important job you have. Your goal should always be to turn a first-time buyer into a stark raving mad fan of you and your business. The good news with this is that it will not cost much. You will not need an expensive marketing program to accomplish this.

It all starts with you and your staff. Make a few changes and focus on a few tasks and you will see your retention numbers grow.

Here are 8 keys to improving your customer retention.

Across the USA and the world, many of us find ourselves at home or with reduced hours due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We should all absolutely take this extra time to finally get some of those things at the bottom of our to-do lists done around the house, make more memories with our loved ones, and do a little bit more self-care as well.

Even after adding all of that and more into our schedules you may find yourself with the need for something to do. Why not add in some extra optical training for yourself too? Essilor and Shamir have provided two great options that are free for a limited time to help scratch your optical itch during these times.