Tag: eyecare professionals

Managing Multiple Practices

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Managing Multiple Practices Dr Diana Monea

Developing, growing, and sustaining three optometric practices, one in Regina, Saskatchewan and two in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was not easy. As a wife, mother, and early woman entrepreneur, I faced the demands of raising a family, which significantly complicated practice management. Life–work balance is an ever-changing dynamic. It requires a clear vision of what you want, with great personal sacrifice. Even with that, the daily roles of motherhood and business constantly overlapped and changed with the pressures of staff issues, finances, regulatory changes, technical updates, and family demands. Creeping doubts of loneliness and insecurity made it challenging to exist and thrive while straddling the balancing act of work and life.

Mentorship with Practices 

Assisting colleagues across provinces presented unique challenges due to regional differences and practice dynamics. The consistent goal was to maintain high-quality patient care and customer service, ensuring that patients were satisfied, returned for follow-up care, and referred others. The objective was to build sustainable practices rooted in patient retention. To support this effort, the approach relied on proactive, well-defined communication, clear objectives, and ongoing mentorship. Achieving this required strong relationships built on trust and close collaboration with key leaders at each practice location.

Financial and Operational Issues

Continual surveillance of finances and operational challenges for each practice involved ongoing review and decision-making, with the most urgent issues receiving priority. Ways to incorporate new revenue streams are imperative and ever-changing as the scope of optometry expands. Equipment repairs, compliance issues, cybersecurity, insurance changes, and privacy issues all trump daily operations with heightened concern. Technological transformations are constantly in flux. New accounting and EMR systems, with updates, require significant capital outlay with careful planning. New practice modalities to generate alternative income are necessary as the scope of practice constantly evolves, requiring ongoing review with new capital outlay. Facing these day-to-day challenges requires experience and even trial and error when making decisions amid the stress of balancing costs with exceptional patient care.

Decision Regarding Provincial Jurisdictions

Jurisdictions vary between Alberta and Saskatchewan with respect to licensure, billing, and scope-of-practice requirements. Continually monitoring, updated education requirements, and communication with regulatory bodies are crucial for protecting patients, staff, and practice quality.

Addressing Family Needs

Work-life balance is constantly in flux. Sick children and unexpected life tragedies can catastrophically erode and destroy even the best-developed plans. Unpredictability is every entrepreneur’s worst nightmare, but a reality that must be carefully considered. Managing multiple practices can create chaos, especially during emergencies. These situations require flexibility, support networks, and delegation within a closely webbed network.

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

When referring to all forms of social media, from Instagram to LinkedIn, it is easy to be overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy. Entrepreneurs may question their ability by comparing themselves to others. It is imperative to remember that confidence grows through reflection, discussion with mentors, and taking time to celebrate progress and all achievements.

Methods for Surviving Challenges

It is critical to have a solid structure with trusted people whom you can delegate to. Prioritization is a vital tool for weighing the urgency of what needs to be done versus what can be delayed, depending on circumstances. Urgent tasks trump day-to-day routine. It is only by building strong, supportive teams and fostering genuine care among dedicated, long-term staff that a manageable work-life balance can be facilitated. Entrepreneurs must acknowledge feelings of needing assistance without seeing it as a weakness. This help is often readily available from mentors, colleagues, or family. Vulnerability and the acceptance of its limitations are necessary survival skills. Even more important is setting aside intentional time for reflection, exercise, or simply embracing family moments to create everlasting memories, experiences that really matter. Long-term well-being is essential, and it matters most when managing a business during these current unsettled times.

Takeaway of What Really Matters

The key takeaways: Success is measured by practice culture, dedicated staff, loyal patients, and individual fulfillment. Challenges will always be there; running any business requires careful balancing of a well-thought-out perspective and cautious preparation. Perseverance, in difficult times, involves “one foot in front of the other” with strategizing and reformatting, and a clear conscience to “never give up”! Entrepreneurs must remember that perfection does not exist. Life throws unexpected, disruptive curveballs. Only resilience, coupled with adaptability, will build a legacy in a career rooted in strong family values and traditions.

Finally, building one or multiple practices involves giving your best effort with a firm commitment to self-awareness, while asking for support on a journey to create a dynamic practice that stands the “test” of time.

 

Dr. Diana Mae Monea, OD, FAAO, MHRM

Dr. Diana M. Monea, OD

Dr. Diana M. Monea is an award-winning optometrist, author, and keynote speaker with more than four decades of leadership in clinical practice, business ownership, and professional education. Founder and former CEO of Eye Health Centres, she now focuses on consulting, mentorship, patient care, and public speaking.

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Decoding Generational Preferences in Contact Lens Wear – What do Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X Really Want from Eye Care Practices

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Decoding Generational Preferences in Contact Lens Wear CLI project Dr. Jennifer Liao

By any measure, contact lenses remain a cornerstone of modern vision correction. Yet despite ongoing innovation and a steadily expanding global market, the overall number of contact lens wearers has not grown at the same pace as the technology. One emerging explanation lies not in the lenses, but in the people wearing them.

A recent study commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) sheds new light on how generational differences shape attitudes toward contact lenses and eye care. Surveying more than 1,300 vision-corrected individuals across the United States and Canada, the research reveals that each cohort approaches contact lenses with notably different priorities, values, and expectations.

For eye care professionals, these findings offer timely insight into how patient communication, prescribing strategies, and practice workflows can be better aligned with what today’s patients actually want.

A Snapshot of Today’s Contact Lens Wearers

The study surveyed 1,308 respondents between July and August 2025, divided into three cohorts: Gen Z (ages 15–28), Millennials (29–44), and Gen X (45–60). Participants were asked about their vision correction preferences, reasons for wearing contact lenses, attitudes toward new lens technologies, and the values that influence purchasing and care decisions.

One headline finding stands out: Millennials remain the most engaged contact lens wearers, with 43% reporting regular use. Gen Z follows at 35%, while Gen X lags significantly behind at just 22%.

More striking is the comparison between younger generations. Despite growing up in a digital-first, innovation-driven environment, Gen Z is 8% less likely to wear contact lenses than Millennials. Among dual wearers, Gen Z also reports using glasses more frequently than contact lenses, signaling a shift in how younger patients perceive eyewear as part of identity and lifestyle rather than a compromise.

Why Patients Choose Contact Lenses

The reasons patients give for wearing contact lenses vary sharply by generation, and those differences carry meaningful implications for practice conversations.

For Gen Z and Millennials, personal appearance ranks as the top motivator. More than half of Gen Z respondents cite appearance as their primary reason for wearing contact lenses, followed closely by freedom from glasses and the absence of visual obstruction. In contrast, Gen X places far greater emphasis on functional benefits such as comfort, convenience, and visual clarity, with appearance ranking much lower.

This distinction challenges a long-standing clinical assumption: that optimal vision is the primary driver of contact lens adoption. In fact, the study shows that across all cohorts, vision quality ranks only mid-range among reasons for choosing contact lenses. Lifestyle, identity, and practicality often matter more.

For practices, this underscores the importance of reframing conversations. Positioning contact lenses solely as a refractive solution will certainly miss the emotional and lifestyle motivations that truly influence patient decisions.

Technology: A Stronger Pull for Younger Patients

Advancements in contact lens technology resonate most strongly with Gen Z and Millennials. Features such as UV protection, reusable lens options, toric designs, and lenses optimized for extended wear use all score significantly higher with younger cohorts than with Gen X.

Interestingly, even multifocal lenses for presbyopia, arguably most relevant to Gen X, receive lower enthusiasm from that group than from Millennials. This suggests that older patients may not necessarily associate newer lens technologies with personal benefit, highlighting a potential gap in patient education rather than product relevance.

For younger patients, innovation itself carries symbolic value. Technology signals progress, personalization, and alignment with modern lifestyles. Practices that actively introduce and explain new lens options may find greater engagement among Gen Z and Millennial patients who are already predisposed to value innovation.

Values Drive Purchasing Decisions

Across all generations, three practical considerations dominate purchasing decisions: affordability, convenience, and speed of access. Nearly 90% of respondents cite value for money as their top driver, followed closely by ease of purchase and rapid product availability.

Beyond these universal priorities, generational differences emerge. Brand authenticity, individual expression, and social responsibility matter significantly more to Gen Z and Millennials than to Gen X. Younger patients want to feel that their choices reflect who they are and what they stand for, while older patients prioritize trust, clarity, and tangible value.

Interestingly, when it comes to interactions with eye care professionals and staff, Gen X places the highest importance on authenticity. This suggests that while brand messaging may resonate more with younger cohorts, personal, straightforward communication remains critical for older patients.

What This Means for Practice Strategy

The study’s findings reinforce a simple but powerful idea: one-size-fits-all communication no longer works.

For Gen Z, contact lens discussions should focus on self-expression, lifestyle fit, and innovation. Emphasizing how lenses support individuality, integrate with digital habits, and align with broader social values can help bridge the current gap in contact lens adoption.

Millennials, already the most engaged wearers, benefit from conversations that address comfort, ease of use, and evolving needs. As this cohort approaches presbyopia, proactive education about multifocal and specialty lens options becomes increasingly important.

For Gen X, success lies in authenticity and practicality. Clear explanations, functional benefits, and transparent value propositions are more likely to resonate than technology-driven messaging.

Across all age groups, the study highlights the importance of extending contact lens conversations beyond the exam room. Efficient ordering systems, fast turnaround times, and well-trained staff all play a role in reinforcing perceived value and convenience.

Looking Ahead

Roughly one in six individuals in North America currently wear contact lenses. While that number has remained relatively stable, this research suggests that growth opportunities still exist—particularly among younger patients whose values and motivations differ from those of older generations.

Understanding generational preferences allows eye care professionals to move beyond clinical assumptions and engage patients on a more personal level. By aligning recommendations with lifestyle goals, social values, and practical concerns, practices can strengthen patient relationships, improve satisfaction, and support long-term contact lens retention.

In an increasingly competitive and patient-driven market, listening closely to what different generations value may be just as important as the next technological breakthrough.

 

Dr. Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS

Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS is an associate professor of optometry, attending optometrist, and residency director of the Cornea and Contact Lenses Residency program at the New England College of Optometry. She is the lead instructor of the main contact lenses course and directs cornea and contact lens–focused clinical training with expertise in advanced contact lenses, dry eye management, and myopia control.

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Thinking of Switching EMRs? A Step-by-Step Guide for Optometry Clinics – Part 2

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Maryam article part 2 on her EMR series

In part 1 of explored why data portability matters and the legal and technical challenges that can arise when switching EMRs in optometry clinics.

Now that the “why” is clear, it’s time to understand the “how.” In this article, we’ll look at how to make the data transition smooth, secure and ensure that it all safely arrives in the appropriate patient fields.

Migrating from one EMR to another is one of the most significant digital transformations a clinic can undertake. When done well, it can modernize workflows, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen patient care. Without proper preparation, however, it can lead to disruption, data loss, and frustration.

This guide outlines the essential steps for preparing your clinic for a smooth, secure, and compliant EMR migration.

Optometry-Specific Data Considerations

Optometry data presents unique challenges beyond those in general medicine. It combines clinical information, diagnostic imaging, and retail operations.  Knowing exactly what data your current EMR holds—and how it’s structured—is the foundation of a successful migration.

Optometric data categories can include:

  • Diagnostic Imaging: OCT scans, fundus photographs, and corneal topographies often exist in large, specialized file formats (like DICOM). Without proper planning, images may be reduced to static PDFs, losing their interactive diagnostic value. It is important to ensure the new EMR can import them, or integrate with image viewers that can.
  • Refractive Prescription Data: Accurate migration of eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions is critical. If stored in proprietary or semi-structured fields, these values (sphere, base curve, diameter) must be carefully mapped to ensure accuracy in the new system.
  • Dispensing and Inventory Records: Practices that use their EMR for optical sales, lens ordering, or frame inventory must decide whether to migrate this data or archive it separately.
  • Device Integration: Diagnostic devices such as autorefractors, tonometers, and lensometers generate logs and measurements that must remain retrievable. Ensure that these files can either be migrated or securely archived, and verify that the new EMR supports existing device integrations.
  • Patient Consent and Signatures: Electronic signatures and digital consent forms are legally binding and must remain properly linked to patient files after migration.
  • Recalls, Reminders, and Visit History: Recall schedules, reminders, and visit histories form the backbone of ongoing patient management. When migrating EMRs, it is important to ensure that patient histories, previous diagnoses (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy), and recall intervals transfer completely. This preserves continuity of care and supports proactive follow-up with patients.

💡 Quick Tip: Create a data inventory spreadsheet listing each data type, where it resides, and whether it needs to be migrated, archived, or can be left behind.

Key Considerations Before You Switch

Long before signing a contract with a new EMR vendor, it’s important to ask the right questions. The clarity that is established at an earlier stage will define the success of the migration later on.

  1. Export Formats: Ask the current vendor how data will be exported. Will it be delivered as structured data (e.g., HL7 or FHIR standards) or unstructured PDFs? Structured data allows for better integration and ongoing use.
  2. Costs and Timelines: Data extraction and migration often involve fees. Obtain written estimates outlining costs, timelines, and the level of support included.
  3. Security Measures: Ensure all data will be encrypted during transfer, and that storage and hosting comply with Canadian and provincial data requirements.
  4. Validation Testing: Conduct a pilot migration using a small dataset. Compare records between systems to confirm accuracy before proceeding with a full migration.
  5. Access to Legacy Records: Even with a successful migration, some data may remain easier to view in the old system. Ensure maintenance of read-only access to legacy records for reference.

🔒 Did You Know?
Under Canadian privacy law, optometrists remain the custodians of patient data even after switching vendors. This means the optometrist is responsible for its integrity and accessibility during and after migration—not the EMR provider.

Preparing for an EMR Migration

A structured plan is the strongest indicator of success. Clinics that invest time in preparation, communication, and testing, experience far fewer disruptions once the new EMR goes live.

  • Inventory Your Data: Catalogue the types of information stored in the current EMR—demographics, clinical notes, prescriptions, imaging, billing, and administrative data.
  • Engage Both Vendors: The smoothest migrations occur when the outgoing and incoming vendors communicate directly. Define clear migration deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, and success criteria in the new vendor’s contract.
  • Plan for Staff Training: Staff should be trained not only on the new system but also on how to access legacy data and verify migrated records.
  • Schedule Wisely: Choose a transition window that minimizes patient disruption—ideally outside peak exam seasons.
  • Budget Realistically: Factor in not only vendor fees but also staff time, temporary productivity dips, and any dual-system access costs.

🧭 Quick Tip: Migrate in stages. Start with a small batch of patient records, validate accuracy, and then expand. Incremental testing builds confidence and minimizes risk.

 Validation and Testing

Once a pilot migration is complete, validate the data thoroughly. Compare patient records across systems to ensure accuracy of key fields such as diagnoses, prescriptions, and imaging files. Pay close attention to dates, authorship, and attachments—these are often the first areas where discrepancies arise.

Involve staff from various roles in the validation process; clinicians and administrative users often notice different types of errors. Once the pilot data is confirmed accurate and functional, proceed with the full migration confidently.

 The Bottom Line for Clinics

Migrating to a new EMR is a significant undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be disruptive. By planning strategically—mapping data carefully, ensuring vendor collaboration, testing thoroughly, ensuring legal compliance, and training staff—years of valuable patient information can be protected while setting your clinic up for long-term success.

Ultimately, a well-executed migration is not just about transferring data—it’s about preserving clinical integrity, enhancing workflow, and empowering your team to deliver exceptional patient care within a more advanced, efficient system.

 

Maryam Moharib

Maryam Moharib, BOptom, BHSc, CSPO, CAPM

Maryam holds degrees in Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa and in Optometry from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England. She has dedicated many years to working alongside ophthalmologists in refractive surgical clinics, where she gained significant experience in clinical training and in EMR implementation for various software platforms.

Maryam has also worked as a certified product owner with an EMR software company where she played a key role in effectively bridging the gap between clinical needs and technology. Additionally, her certification in project management from the Project Management Institute has equipped her with the skills to lead implementation and transformative clinic projects successfully.

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