Power Hour Optometry

Optical is often the most overlooked revenue driver in your practice — but not for Kayla Ashlee. As founder and CEO of Spexy, and the creator of FrameTurn®, Kayla has trained hundreds of optical teams on how to turn product conversations into moments of trust, clarity, and connection.

Efficiency isn't just about cutting costs — it's about finding new growth opportunities, and two major innovations are leading the way forward. In this final installment of our Power Hour Innovator Series, Eugene Shatsman sits down with the teams behind Barti and Teem — two companies transforming how practices run smarter, not harder.

In this episode of Power Hour, renowned author and customer experience strategist, Dr. Joseph Michelli, joins Eugene Shatsman to explore how practices can craft emotional, memorable, and loyalty-driven experiences that set them apart. With a track record that includes Starbucks, Mercedes-Benz, Ritz-Carlton, and Zappos, Michelli unpacks how optometry practices, no matter the size, can apply the same principles used by global giants to delight patients and strengthen practice growth.

Most practices think buying the latest technology will automatically boost revenue — but Dr. Sage Hider says it's not about what you buy, it's how you use it.

This isn't a clinical episode, it's a human one. Kenneth Hines, known online as Professor Hines, is a celebrity photographer with a global portfolio. Despite depending on his eyes to make a living, he quietly lived with deteriorating vision, avoiding the eye doctor for over a decade. It wasn't cost. It wasn't access. It was something deeper.

Some patients walk out feeling wowed. Others walk away — and never come back. What's the difference? It's not your prices. It's not your credentials and the experience. In this eye-opening episode of Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman sits down with Shareef Mahdavi — industry consultant, speaker, and author of Beyond Bedside Manner — to expose one of the most overlooked (yet most profitable) parts of practice growth: the patient experience.

Most practices think about growth in terms of marketing — but what if the real advantage lies in how you use technology to engage patients before they even pick up the phone?

Optometry is facing some of its biggest challenges yet — from Medicare reimbursement cuts to scope expansion battles and new legislative threats that could redefine the profession. If you think these issues won't impact your practice, think again.

Forget routine exams — eye care's future just walked off the showroom floor at Vision Expo East 2025, and we've got your VIP ticket right here. Host Eugene Shatsman caught up with top executives from CareCredit, ZEISS, Silhouette Optical, and RevitalVision to uncover the innovations that had the industry buzzing. Whether it's turning patient conversations into profitable treatments, groundbreaking lens technology, eco-conscious eyewear, or brain-training breakthroughs, this is your chance to tap into what's next — before your competitors do.

Most practices stop at routine eye exams — but what if your practice could unlock new (cash-pay) revenue streams and provide high-value specialty care without feeling like you're selling to patients? Dr. Jordan Dau started Dau Family Eyecare from scratch, transforming it into a technology-driven, specialty-focused practice that sees 100-150 patients per week and is expanding to a second location. In this episode, recorded live from Vision Expo East in Orlando, Dr. Dau shares how he structures patient interactions to seamlessly integrate specialty services — so they feel like the next natural step, not a sales pitch.

Building a thriving optometry practice isn't about luck — It's about strategy, efficiency, and data-driven decisions. Dr. David Cockrell has spent over 40 years refining the formula for success, turning his practice into a 12,000 sq. ft. powerhouse where five doctors each see 40 patients a day, without sacrificing quality of care.

Innovation isn't just reshaping tech—it's transforming eye care, and your practice can be at the forefront. Ruth Yomtoubian, innovation leader at VSP, joins Eugene Shatsman to discuss the cutting-edge trends shaping eye care's future. Fresh from CES, the world's largest tech show—she reveals how AI, data, and multi-sensory tech are redefining healthcare and why optometrists need to take notice.

Hiring good staff is hard. Keeping them? Even harder. Staff turnover, burnout, and lack of reliability and engagement are part of a challenge that most practices face today: an ever-present staffing puzzle.

Every practice owner understands the cost of making a change, but what about the cost of staying exactly the same?

How will the economy shape your practice in the next five years? In this live-recorded episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman and industry expert Dr. Jason Lake break down the economic trends and cost management strategies that will define the future of optometry. Recorded after attending a series of impactful industry lectures on economic forecasts, tariffs, and inflation, this episode brings you real-time insights tailored for optometry professionals.

Optometry is evolving, and the data is clear - 2025 is the year to take action. In this week's Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman hosts Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, and Alysse Henkel, VP of Research & Insights, to uncover two game-changing topics: the revamped Vision Expo East 2025 and exclusive, hot-off-the-press industry data.

Industry leader Jamie Rosin scaled his practice to over 50 locations and grew revenue by millions. Want to learn the exact strategies he used? Keep reading. This episode is all about driving exponential growth in optometry practices - not through guesswork or big leaps, but through small, impactful changes in critical areas. Together, host Eugene Shatsman and Jamie reveal the strategies, metrics, and behaviors that transform a $1M practice into $1.65M while minimizing costs and maximizing profitability.

Optometry has transformed significantly over the last 13 years, but are you adapting quickly enough? In the first episode of Season 13 of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with the show's original host, Dr. Gary Gerber, to reflect on the past, unpack lessons learned, and craft a plan for 2025.

Are you leaving revenue on the table? In this week's Power Hour, Dr. Chris Wolfe reveals how rethinking your metrics can transform your practice. This isn't just about working harder - it's about uncovering the hidden potential in your patient care and business strategy. Dr. Wolfe explains how to use key metrics like revenue per OD hour, patient lifetime value, and prevalence data to uncover hidden growth opportunities in your practice.

What if the key to growing your practice was reimagining your entire approach to business? In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes Ross Bernstein, a renowned business strategist and keynote speaker who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and top organizations worldwide. Drawing from over 25 years of experience and lessons learned from interviewing thousands of top athletes and business leaders, Ross delivers practical, actionable strategies to help you rethink how you approach practice growth.

Are you ready to rethink how your practice generates revenue per patient? Most strategies focus on optical sales, capture rates, or multiple pair promotions - but what if there's a completely different way to approach it? Dr. Todd Cohan shares his exact formula for transforming comprehensive exams into significant additional revenue through his unique strategy.

Have you ever wondered if dropping a vision plan could actually help your practice grow? It's a tough decision, but one that could reshape your patient relationships and increase your practice's revenue. In this week's Power Hour episode, Eugene Shatsman speaks with Steve Alexander, a consultant with over 20 years of experience in eye care, to tackle the question so many optometrists wrestle with.

AI is everywhere you turn these days, but let's face it - talking about it and actually putting it to work are two very different things. We're past the stage of "should I be thinking about AI?" and firmly in the "what can I realistically do with AI right now?" zone. The truth is, if you're not figuring this out, you risk falling behind.

Are technology purchases in your practice delivering the value they promised, or are they just "white boxes in the closet"? In our latest episode of Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman talks with David Keith, a 25-year industry veteran and technology consultant, who breaks down the common pitfalls and winning strategies for making technology work for you.

In the latest episode of Power Hour, Jordon Comstock discusses how membership plans can transform your optometry practice's approach to patient care and revenue growth. With more than 100,000 patients already on membership plans in the dental world, Jordan dives into why this model works, especially for optometry. Instead of relying on managed care companies, imagine having patients pay you directly through a monthly fee you control. This gives you the flexibility to design benefits that align with your practice's needs. In fact, membership patients spend 4.5 times more annually, making this a powerful tool for increasing revenue and patient loyalty.

Are you ready to uncover practical marketing tips that can drive real growth for your practice? In this latest live Power Hour episode from Vision Expo West, Eugene Shatsman sits down with Daniel Rostenne – CEO and Founder of Eyecarepro, to share 10+ actionable marketing nuggets you can implement immediately. From leveraging off-page SEO and backlinks, to boosting your Google Reviews and improving patient engagement with video content, this episode is packed with insights every optometrist needs. Did you know that practices need at least 40+ reviews to be taken seriously, and that 76% of consumers trust a business more when they respond to negative reviews? You will also learn about the power of Google Ads, online scheduling, and why optimizing your Google Business Profile is critical. In fact, 60% of patients prefer booking appointments online, and 26% of online bookings happen after hours - so having an online scheduler is key to capturing these patients. Whether you are looking to enhance patient recall, improve conversions, or dominate local search results, this conversation is filled with data-driven advice from two marketing experts working with thousands of practices.

Low vision care is often misunderstood, but in this episode of Power Hour, Dr. Richard Shuldiner shares how he's defying industry norms with a low vision practice that generates $600,000 annually - while seeing just 6-8 patients per week! With decades of experience, Dr. Shuldiner has developed a highly profitable, patient-centered model that breaks down the barriers many optometrists face when considering low vision care.

In this must-watch episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Jim McGrann, former CEO of VSP Vision and current CEO of Advancing Eyecare, to address the pressing concerns of eye care professionals (ECPs) and explore the future of optometry in an AI-driven world. As one of the most influential figures in the industry, Jim offers a unique perspective on VSP's role in the evolving landscape of vision care and shares insights on how practices can thrive despite the challenges posed by managed care.

Welcome to the Vegas Innovators Series, where we bring you cutting-edge insights from some of the brightest minds in optometry and ophthalmic care. In this special episode, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with industry leaders - Brant Southwell, Dr. James Rynerson, Cindy Braden, Cassandra, and Jim McGrann, each with game-changing innovations that are reshaping the way we think about eye care. From migraine relief to dry eye treatments, billing efficiency, and revolutionary AI tools, this series showcases what's next for the industry.

How would you like to see more dry eye patients in your practice? What if you could enhance your treatment protocol while driving dry eye conversion rates? In this episode of Power Hour, we present a proven formula for success based on the experiences of two industry greats - Dr. Paul Karpecki and Dr. Shane Swatts. These leaders in dry eye care share actionable strategies that can transform your practice and boost patient outcomes.

Optometry has been stepping up to meet the demands of modern healthcare for decades. In this week's Power Hour episode, host Eugene Shatsman and Dr. Nate Lighthizer, Dean of NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry, dive into how the profession is continuing to evolve and push boundaries.

Are you feeling a squeeze in your practice over the last few months? You're not alone. Patients are shifting spending habits and doctors are reporting in across the whole industry. The biggest repository of industry data is at the Vision Council and in this episode your host Eugene Shatsman goes behind the scenes to learn what doctors are thinking, how consumers are spending, and what opportunities we have on the horizon.

The optometry industry is at a crossroads, and the future holds both challenges and opportunities. In this episode of Power Hour, Dr. Amir Khoshnevis, the President and Chief Medical Officer at the largest network of private practice optometrists in North America – Vision Source, offers his unique perspective on navigating this complex landscape.

What does it take to grow an optometry practice by 562% in just five years? How do you scale from a single location to three, while maintaining a patient-centered approach? In this eye-opening episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dr. Tyler Mills and Dr. Brian Samartino to discuss the strategies, mindset, and processes that have driven their extraordinary success.

What's the secret behind this week's Power Hour guest, Dr. Brianna Rhue's, incredible success in enrolling 500 children into her myopia management program with an 80% conversion rate? It's more than just offering a solution; it's about understanding the families she consults and meeting them where they are.

Eye care is brimming with innovation, but rarely does the industry collaborate on what's inevitable - change. In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman is joined by John Walborn and Jeff Poe from Sanitas Advisors, two industry veterans, as they explore the dynamic changes shaping the future of eye care, from groundbreaking technologies to strategic business models that promise to redefine patient care.

In the UK, more than 50% of hearing aids are sold through optometry practices. In the US, the number is almost nothing. Why? And what are industry players – big and small – doing to change that? Find out in our latest Power Hour episode. Your host Eugene Shatsman is joined by industry innovators Jed Grisel, ENT physician from Amplify Hearing, and Doug Breaker, from MDHearing. They discuss how integrating hearing services into optometry clinics transforms hearing care, making it more accessible and affordable.

Are you passionate about growth and success, striving to elevate your optometry practice, but feeling like you've explored every avenue? This week's episode is both inspiring and surprising as host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dr. Jason Lake, a renowned optometrist and leader of the influential membership groups, PERC and Opti-Port. With extensive experience in running a successful practice in Missouri and guiding others to success, Dr. Lake is here to share simple, effective and unpredictable tips to help your practice flourish.

Have you ever thought about how much income your practice might be losing due to mishandled phone calls? Host Eugene Shatsman dives into the nuances of phone call management with Dr. Jeff Lewis - a seasoned optometrist and practice optimizer.

Did you know that 9 out of 10 charts audited have an opportunity? Those opportunities include significant revenue potential for your practice or audit protection. In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dr. Viktoria Davis to uncover quick wins that can help you get paid more for the work you do in your practice while protecting your valuable business assets.

This week's Power Hour is a story of remarkable growth and impact that few can match. Taking you on a practice growth journey with Jamie Rosin, the visionary leader who has transformed Rosin Eyecare from a small practice with just 4 locations into a thriving enterprise with 48 locations in a mere 15 years. But how did he do it? This is a story of remarkable growth and impact that few can match.

Do you want a glance at the future of optometry? In today's episode – you'll hear about diagnostic innovations, pharmaceuticals on the horizon, gene therapies, new treatment modalities, AI and more.

Most people have a complicated relationship with money. We often feel uncomfortable discussing it, yet it's a critical part of our daily lives. That's why, on today's Power Hour episode, host Eugene Shatsman invited certified financial planner Adam Cmejla to discuss common money mistakes practice owners make and how to avoid them.

This week on The Power Hour Podcast, we're excited to share an inspiring story of entrepreneurial success with Dr. Arun Garg, a dentist who has built a staggering 41 companies over the past 20 years. From humble beginnings as an academic earning $42,000 to becoming a successful entrepreneur earning 50 times that amount.

This week, we are thrilled to welcome two exceptional doctors and all-around great humans - Dr. Aaron Law from Eyecare Specialties and Dr. Ryan Stybel from Positive Eye Ons and Look Optometry. These two graduated together and are now about 15 years into their careers, having both built impressive practices and showing no signs of slowing down. As Dr. Ryan Stybel puts it: "Never be complacent. Always push forward."

If you had the chance to sit down with the CEO or leader of a major retail operation, what burning questions would you ask them? On the latest episode of the Power Hour podcast, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with retail veteran Stephanie Pugliese to unpack her valuable insights for optometrists and business leaders alike.

We've heard so many Power Hour listeners express frustration and curiosity about the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) recent ban on non-compete agreements. Today, Eugene Shatsman speaks with legal whiz Ali Oromchian from Dental and Medical Counsel. Is this a disaster for businesses? A win for workers? They break down the new rules, how it affects you, and surprising legal secrets entrepreneurs should know (like mistakes most lawyers won't tell you about). Tune in for a lively discussion that's sure to spark debate – and equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the new employment landscape.

Ever wondered how Disney consistently delivers magical experiences? In this episode of the Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dennis Snow, a customer experience legend who spent over two decades at Disney. Dennis shares invaluable insights from his time at the Disney Institute and reveals how their principles can be applied to elevate your optometry practice. Eugene adds to the conversation by sharing real-world examples and anecdotes from his work with clients, emphasizing the importance of creating "wow" moments and fostering a positive patient experience.

Is Your Optometry Practice Ready for the AI Revolution? Artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just science fiction anymore – it's transforming optometry. In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman and AI expert Dr. Roya Attar dive into the cutting edge of clinical care and practice management.

This week's latest episode of The Power Hour podcast unveils profitable subspecialties in eye care. Host Eugene Shatsman, joined by two industry experts, Dr. Julie Helmus and Matt Rosner - uncover valuable insights and strategies that could revolutionize your practice's profitability. Get ready as a wealth of expertise and experiences is shared in serving often overlooked patient populations with innovative solutions.