The Optical Vision Site

Happy 4th Of July From Fast Grind International

John Corsini of Super Optical eyeMazes us again with his Happy 4th of July Decorated All In One Surfacing Equipment – Made in the good old USA

Happy 4th of July To All

Oh Say Can you See” your way to more profits.  Uncle Fast Grind says “Buy American”.  Fast Grind is made in Cincinnati, Ohio with 100% American content.

Fast Grind- Made in USA

OptiKam Adds Profitability & Customer Service To Eyecare Practices

For years I have been a believer in Try On systems and that I why I am so happy to announce OptiKam Signs As Sponsor!

Standing Kiosk

Let me tell you why I have been a believer in digital visual dispensing aids or try-on systems:

Top 15 Ways To Increase Profitability and Customer Service With OptiKam

1. Customer Service- Helps patients see and understand available options: How many times has a + or – 5 patient come in the office to pick out frames and they can’t see themselves ergo they can’t make a decision. OptiKam eliminates that objection, because the minute that patient walks out the door without making a purchase – 50% of them will not come back. In addition how many of your customers come in with a camera phone to take their own pictures to see what they look like? Why not make it easier to do business with you by offering a better service?
2. Increase Patient Retention- With technology such as OptiKam- patients will be more likely to come back and remain long term loyal customers because they will be able to make clear choices based upon the latest in eyewear, lenses and other eyecare options.
3. Technology Eyecare Trend- online retailers and brick and mortar locations have this in place already. Gen x and Gen Y are using programs like OptiKam to email their friends to help them pick out eyewear and make choices.
4. Engages the customer- Anytime you have a new technology- people find it fascinating. With OptiKam’s ability to email friends and family, look at 4 options at a time- engages the customer/Patient.
5. It’s Fun- Adding fun to shopping experience increases long term loyal customers and enhances customer service.
6. Saves Time- How many times have you had 20 frames sitting in front of a patient and they keep trying them on over and over again and can’t make a decision. By being able to see 4 styles at the same time it can eliminate the patients choices- Not only that OptiKam’s system helps to make Lense choices as well.
7. Patient Education- Patients Want to be educated, you want them to be educated to make the best choices in eyewear, lenses and coatings. While the phones are ringing and other patients are waiting, your patients can sit in front of the OptiKam kiosk and or desktop and learn all sorts of things even how to insert a contact lens.
8. Provides competitive edge- no just with online retailers and the big box store down the street, but the optical shop across the street. Offering eyewear technology and cyber based programs can give you a competitive edge
9. Answers objections- Why is this lens so expensive? What will photochromics do for me? OptiKam’s Lens demonstration shows the difference in premium lenses and lens types.
10. Allows for untrained, lazy and or busy staff to present all options available- With so many options available today it is hard
    

    Desktop version

    to keep up! OptiKam’s job is to keep up on options available and update the software to make it easier for staff to present options to patients.

11. Eliminates human error- OptiKam take PD’s and seg heights, pantoscopic tilts, near PD’s and more in one picture. The system is so user friendly it even allows for customers to align their heads properly in video so as to insure that the picture is taken correctly – How cool is that!
12. Less Clutter- Clutter= mess and dirt/dust. Mess and Dust in medical office? Using a system to eliminate all the patient brochures and posters eliminates all that clutter enhances good patient experience and an eco-friendly atmosphere in your office.
13. Decrease Buyer Remorse- When a buyer can see themselves and make ‘clear choices’ instead of choices made while squinting the eyewear selection can be made by the wearer easier.
14. Increase Multiple Pair Sales- According to studies available in the industry  multiple pair sales went up $25%.
15. Profitability and cost effectiveness: If you can increase sales by 20% the system should pay for itself within 4-11 months. An added benefit with OptKam is you can add advertising  for your services when the system is idle and perhaps use coop advertising dollars to pay for it.

Here is what I think- you should consider OptiKam, give them a call or if you know any of the below eyecare offices call them and ask what they think:

OptiKam Testamonials

“I have been in business for over 20 years, and Optikam is the single best investment I have ever made.”

Joel Wolf – Village Opticians, Whiting, NJ

“The electronic measurement portion of the system has definitely taken my optical pre-fittings to the next level.
Finished are the days of the pupillometer, as I take my measurements exclusively on the Optikam.”

Ronald Riesz – Ronald Riesz Optical, Arlington, MA

“There is no down-side with the system. We’ve easily had Optikam pay for itself in sales in just a few short months. I urge everyone to put one in your store. If you use it the right way, you’ll see the benefits immediately.”

Gary Kaschak – Sterling Optical, North Wales, PA

“The lens module on the Optikam is simply the best on the market. Just by using it, I have seen a 20% increase in
my AR, Polarized and Premium Progressive sales.” Michael Mimran – Bella Vista Optics, Manhattan, NY

“Optikam has proven to be a valuable tool in increasing our second pair sales, especially our sunglass sales .”

Stuart Cage - Eye Save Optical, Bogulsa, LA

You Will Love This! Say No To Ties For Fathers Day- Yes To Fast Grind

This was my morning laugh- I look forward to see what John Corsini has up his sleeve when he decorates his all in one surfacing equipment. Here is John Saying No To Ties For Fathers Day and what a great gift!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY From Fast Grind International

Say No To Ties And Yes To Optical Equipment

Four Generations of Fast Grind Father’s.  The newest father (Fast Grind 2200) is proud to have learned from the previous generations.  The knowledge gained is allowing him to assist optical practices, worldwide, to become more profitable. To take advantage of the generations of knowledge and wisdom, call Fast Grind at 1-800-543-7376 or visit www.fastgrind.com.  You can view Fast Grind on YouTube:

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Breaking News-Briot Signs As Sponsor!!

Briot Hi Res Alta

Great News, Briot USA signs as sponsor with The Optical Vision Site! For those who don’t know Briot they are an optical Lab Equipment Company out of Cummings, Georgia. A global company, Briot was first established in France in 1934 by Joseph Briot and came to be known for their innovative lens edging equipment. Any company that has been in business for over 65 years must know what they are doing and have offer quality and innovation in their product offerings.

What I like about Briot- Their Mission Statement is on their website ( I am one of those who actually read mission statements) ‘Our mission at Briot USA is to deliver lens finishing equipment of superior quality and value to the optical industry. We are committed to excellence in service and support to our retail and chain customers. We will maintain a focus on continuous improvement and growth for our people, our customers and our company.’

I didn’t even realize the various lens finishing products that Briot offered! All made user friendly and minimal operator

Brito Accura All In One Edging

skill. (good thing for un-mechanical and afraid of machine- people)

The Briot Alta Line- (XL and XS) Processes all types of traditional and rimless eyewear – including high base curves, custom shaped rimless and premium lens materials.

The Accura Line- all in one finishing system includes a frame tracer, a layout blocker an edging chamber all in one machine. Great for small offices and limited space.

Plus they offer Diamond Hand Edgers, Tinting Machines, Dippers, Lens Groovers, Hot Air Frame Warmers, Pupilometers, Ultra Sonic Cleaners, Auto Lensmeter. All sorts of necessary products not just for eyecare providers who have  a lab.

Adding Profits By Purchasing Lab Equipment

Rumor has it that VSP will start allowing reinbursements when you have your own lab equipment. Better for the EyeCare Professional and hopefully better for the check book.

Just in case you were wondering about the ROI on purchasing Lab Equipment. The breakout from Briot’s site is says yes you can add green to your bottom line, plus saving money by less shipping and packaging, not even counting lowering your carbon footprint. Plus the added benefit of customer service.

If you are interested in lab equipment, give Briot a call, they have reps throughout the country and I know will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Eye On Digital Signage Product Comparisons- Things To Know

You see Digital Signage everyplace, at the Gas Station, at the grocery store, at the Bank, because digital signage sells products. (I know, last time at the gas station, I bought a cup of coffee which I never do!). It’s hard not to know which system could be right for you. Paul Salsberg over at EyeStarTV wanted to improve their digital Signage program to be the best and most cost-effective digital signage program, and wanted to develop a program that answers any questions the eyecare professional would have. So he commissioned a respected writer , Michelle Vessel  BA and an MA,  more than a 10 yrs freelance experience in corporate, academic, and journalism settings, from local companies to  NASA, Microsoft, Penske, and Novell) to do a blind evaluation of a few various signage systems to write a fair, unbiased piece on Eyecare Digital Signage Systems. The results are below, and if you would like a larger copy, please feel to email us and we can email the HTML version or contact Paul Salsberg directly at psalsberg@3conx.com>

Sharp VA Visual Acuity System- Engages Patients and Creates Wow!

Sharp VA Visual Acuity System

I never thought much about wowing the customer with Visual Acuity Systems until last week when I took my neighbor to the ophthalmologist and I looked at his system. You know what I thought ‘ This guy is charging so much and his exam room is yukky and the Visual Acuity system was old and yellowed’- I was questioning whether he was updated and knew what he was doing!

Therefore we are proud to announce that Sharp VA Visual Acuity Systems has signed as sponsors and their tagline is ‘The WOW Factor Starts Here’. How does the customer/patient get wowed you ask! In today’s times patients want and demand the newest technology, just by having a variety of screens to choose from keeps them interested and engaged in the whole eye exam experience. By a button push you can offer charts with  cartoons, low vision charts, contrast sensitivity, astigmatic and macular charts,  plus it’s easy to go from testing to patient education with one program. What I like is the patient education part, so many times Eye Docs are rushed and don’t spend the time to educate the patient on what is going on in the eyeball. With another tap on a button you can interact and show you care about your patients eye health by the educational videos, high resolution photos and animations. That’s What I Call Wowing The Customer! I wish this MD last week would have had a system like this instead of a torn picture of an eyeball and a dingy Acuity System.

Does it work? Graham McPartland is an Optometric Physician and knows what you need in the exam room but it’s not just him, the Sharp VA system for designed by Eye Docs for Eye Docs!  Plus in 2008 and 2009 the Sharp VA digital acuity software was validated through research at the Southern California College of Optometry.  The study showed that the mean visual acuity and test-retest repeatability was not significantly different between the Sharp VA digital acuity software and the gold standard ETDRS charts!

And here is the really good news- they offer FREE STUFF! Patient Educations (photos, videos, animation) is free. Custom Service and Tech support is Free. The system also comes with a SharpVA Remote Control, to save you time in the exam room and and allow the Eye Doc to move freely.

Guess what else - Sharp VA has visual acuity software for PC’s and Mac’s!  If you are a Mac lover like myself, you should be ectastic, because it is so hard to find business programs for both Macs and PC’s. Kudos to Sharp VA!

Wanna Try? You can either visit Sharp VA Website and even demo it live on your computer. Plus, they offer a price match guarantee with any other programs with comparable features. And yes there is more this purchase also qualifies you for an ADA tax credit.

Lots of whistles and bells and the benefit to you the Eye Doc, wow patients, improve exam productivity, save with tax credits- what more could you ask for!

Super Optical Astounds Us Again- Check Out Their Valentine!

We just love John Corsini, over at Fast Grind International who again demonstrates a great sense of humor and a creative side of his personality. Don’t you just love his Valentine Day Card!!

Super Optical All In One Lab Equipment

For those who don’t know, The Fast Grind surfacing machine is meant for smaller offices who want to save money, time and exceed eyecare customer expectations. This machine has been around for about 15-16 years and lasts because all you need is the software for updates v.s. the traditional edger which might have to be replaced every 5 or 6 years. That means it is never obsolete! (Saving even more money and the environment)

If you are like me, you might think this is an edger- IT IS NOT- it is a lens surfacer, it is the only piece of equipment you will need to provide digital quality lenses including progressive lenses for your patients for about $14.00 a pair. How difficult is it to use? John told me about one of his customers who has his 12 year old daughter come in after school to surface the lenses. I figure if a 12 year old can do it, than I who can barely screw in a lightbulb could do it as well. The training takes 1 hour over the phone- great for us ADD, type A personalities.

What I think: for your ‘in a rush’, I can get my glasses in an hour’ patients, this machine can provide a wonderful opportunity of UNDER PROMISING AND OVER DELIVERING’. Tell the patients you can get in a week, and deliver their new eyewear in a day, for the rushed, emergency patients, you can get it to them within an hour. How great is that! Talk about Wowing the customer!

Space being a huge issue, because every square foot of your office should be generating a profit- all you need is a 2 x2 foot space to place this surfacing machine. According to John, the average profit potential is an addition $26,000 per year, and extra $2000/ month of profit!

Where do the lenses come from, you ask- they send them to you already blocked- no need to fiddle around and stock that blocking stuff, it comes in already blocked! Check out their lens supply , Transition and Kodak lenses as well.

Super Optical/Fast Grind International will be at SECO and Vision Expo, so you can also check them out there or even order online.

For more information visit www.superoptical.com or to  Request Information:http://www.superoptical.com/requestform.php.

This is what I know- We love John’s Valentine Day Card, we loved his reindeer decorated surfacer and I hope he will continue to send in more!

Santinelli Sales Meeting In Florida

A Few of the Santinelli Sales Team Working on Team Building

The retail sales team of Santinelli International, the exclusive NIDEK lens edger distributor in the U.S., converged for its annual National Sales Meeting in South Florida in early January. The focus of the meeting was new product review, advanced product training, and the development of strategies to increase our clients’ profitability and satisfaction with regard to In-Office Finishing (IOF). The event also provided an opportunity to recognize the company’s top territory sales managers for their outstanding performances in 2009, as well as participate in fun team-building activities.

According to Rick Clemente, Executive Vice President of Sales & Client Service, “Recognizing that many eyecare practitioners are thriving thanks to IOF, we’re more enthusiastic than ever about communicating the Santinelli lens edger ‘success formula’ to the industry at large.

Barbara Wagner and Adrienne Lauro

Adapting this formula will assure bottom line profitability within their practice, especially during turbulent times”.