Power Hour Optometry – Details, episodes & analysis

When close rates stall around 30–40%, most teams blame price. What if the real issue is what happens after the appointment?

Myopia management is no longer "up-and-coming." It's here, and it's big. In this episode of Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Matt Oerding, CEO & Founder of Treehouse Eyes, to unpack a market Matt describes as a untapped opportunity, and the uncomfortable reality behind it: even though a large share of optometrists say they offer myopia management, only ~4–5% of eligible kids are actually receiving treatment.

Matt explains that the myopia "adoption gap" isn't due to a lack of treatment options, but by execution: how consistently practices recommend, how the message is framed, and what happens after the parent says, "Let me think about it."

What if cutting your staff dramatically could increase your profit margins by up to 30% with capture rates being at 78%? 

This week on Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Dr. Lauretta Justin, Founder of Optometry Divas and creator of The CEO of You, to unpack a transformation that starts with burnout and ends with clarity, profit, and purpose. 

After running a full-scope practice with a team of ten, Lauretta hit a point many ODs know too well: she was successful on paper… and exhausted in reality. So, she decided what most people would never consider: she simplified everything. 

Fewer staff. Cleaner pricing. Tighter systems. More intentional leadership. 

The result? 
 
A 30% increase in net profit, a 20% jump in net cash flow, and a practice that finally supports the life she wants, not the other way around. 

In this special edition of Power Hour recorded live at Vision Expo West, host Eugene Shatsman takes you behind the scenes of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, co-hosted by VSP Vision Global Innovation Center, The Vision Council, and MATTER, and first time involvement for the Power Hour. 

From 50+ groundbreaking submissions to 6 stage finalists and 3 transformative winners, this episode captures the ideas, momentum, and leaders shaping the next chapter of vision care. 

This episode is presented in three mini-conversations that highlight both the architects behind the challenge and the innovators leading the charge. If you're curious about what the future of eye care really looks like, this is the episode you can't afford to miss. 

Ever wonder what optometry looks like across the world?

Join Bethany and Hasnain Mamdani, an optometrist from the UK and host of the Optics Room Podcast in the first of a two-part special as they dive into a discussion comparing the life of an optometrist in the US and the UK to find out what we may be able to learn from each other. 

Discover why becoming an optometrist requires a unique journey on each side of the Atlantic, and how differing patient expectations and healthcare systems play a significant role in shaping the profession. From pricing strategies to clinical practices, we'll delve into the fascinating international web of optometry and identify ways to improve eyecare no matter where you call home.

AI is here and can help your practice.  Are you ready to take advantage of it?

Join Bethany and Eugene Shatsman from National Strategic Group as they talk about the role that rapidly evolving AI tools can play in optometry and how practice owners and managers can use them to drive practice growth and innovation.  

Eugene's team has tested dozens of AI tools and he discusses how being an early adopter of some of this technology can help enhance your patient experience and give your practice an edge. He shares his perspectives on how AI offers shortcuts to humans, not replacing, but enhancing what we do every day.   

Marketing your practice involves so much more than getting patients in the door. As the capabilities of AI expand every day, harnessing this exciting technology can provide strategic advantage while allowing you to analyze practice data and interact with your patients in ways you've never had the time or technical ability to do before.

What do AI and Dry Eye have in common?

Find out when you Join Bethany and Dr. Jovi Boparai, ophthalmologist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of CorneaCare as they discuss Dr. Boparai's journey towards building an innovative AI-based solution for treating ocular surface disease.  

Learn about what the future holds for these rapidly emerging technologies, what it takes to "move fast, fail fast, iterate faster," and what it means to build a "generational brand" in today's world of social media.  Dr. Boparai's perspectives on technology and TikTok alike provide a fascinating window into just how fast patient care is evolving. 

Although the pandemic's intensity has waned, do the effects on optometry practices, staff, and business strategy remain?

In this episode, join Bethany as she reflects on the lingering impacts of COVID-19 on the optometric industry. Bethany delves into how the adaptations required to operate during COVID continue to affect practices to this day, often in ways that aren't always obvious. 

From positive adaptations like shifting staff dynamics and enhanced safety measures to the challenges of decision paralysis and day-to-day uncertainty, evaluating whether these changes align with your current practice mission and vision is crucial to your ongoing success. Bethany also stresses the need for ongoing staff communication and the maintenance of adaptable strategies to remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of modern optometry in the post-COVID future.

What are the elements of a successful trunk show?

Join Bethany and Kayla Ashlee, co-founder of Spexy, in a discussion about the art of planning and putting on trunk shows — events where specialty frame vendors bring their entire catalogs to your practice for your patients to browse and shop — and how they can benefit your practice in both the short- and long-term.   

Should you see patients?  Should you offer discounts?  How do you support your team?  What's the key to getting maximum RSVPs?  What absolute mistakes should you avoid?   

Bethany and Kayla dive into key do's and don'ts and show you how your office can benefit from additional sales, branding, community exposure and patient loyalty that comes with a successful trunk show.

Do you know how mental health is affecting you, your practice, and your staff?

In this episode of The Power Hour, Bethany speaks with Dr. Dennis Pardo, an optometrist, social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of Tranquil Wave Psychotherapy, to discuss the impact of mental health issues on optometric practice owners and their staff. 

Together they explore how mental health concerns affect things like productivity, absenteeism, and retention within the workplace as well as the growing awareness and reduced stigma around mental health as a whole. Dr. Pardo shares his unique journey from optometry to psychotherapy, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health in the optometry profession and provides valuable insights on creating a psychologically safe work environment and dealing with potential mental health issues among employees. 

Mental health issues can be hard to detect, but by learning how to identify and address these pervasive concerns early, it's possible to avoid the potential problems they cause and keep your practice running smoothly.

What's driving today's OD shortage? Are fewer optometry students passing their national board examinations or it just an issue of perception?  The answer may fall somewhere in between. In this episode of the Power Hour Podcast, Bethany has an in-depth discussion with Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President of the New England College of Optometry, about emerging trends in board exam passing rates and whether or not there's a reason for concern.

In their pursuit to uncover the facts, Bethany and Howard discuss issues like the underlying numbers behind the idea that students aren't passing their national board exams as often, potential predictive factors for higher test scores, and the potential need to rethink the support that schools provide to students to better fit their needs.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the current trends in academia and how the nation's foremost institutions like NECO are reacting to the shifting demands of their student body.