Oct. 5, 2023 — The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) and The Vision Council (TVC) presented a preview of new research from CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative during Vision Expo West, revealing that creating and maintaining a positive contact lens culture within eyecare practices requires a multifactorial approach. Beyond the survey results, the organizations offer pathways for patient and business success.
 
The survey found that while 94% of respondents believe their practices already have a positive contact lens culture, only 49% report discussing contact lenses with the majority of eligible patients. This aligns with a survey from earlier this year that found 44% of glasses-only wearers expressed interest in contact lenses but reported that the idea was never brought up to them by anyone at the practice.
 
“The golden thread across our culture research findings is opportunity—opportunity to have more patient conversations, opportunity to enhance certain practice elements to motivate colleagues, and opportunity to better measure the substantial economic value of contact lenses to the eyecare community,” says Stan Rogaski, CLI executive director.
 
Respondents were also asked to rate the importance of more than 20 factors that affect a positive contact lens culture, with product access and advancements topping the list, followed closely by education and training, in-office advocacy, and the emotional and professional benefits staff members gain by prescribing contact lenses.
 
The preview also offered intel on the financial upsides of contact lenses, raising questions regarding tracking and analysis methodologies. Only 47% of respondents reported quantifying the business impacts of contact lens patients compared to patients with other forms of vision correction, and 56% of those say contact lens patients are more profitable.
 
Moderated by CLI board member Charissa Lee, O.D., FAAO, the panel that presented at Vision Expo West included Alysse Henkel, senior director, market research & analytics for TVC, who was joined by 2023 CLI Visionaries Shelby Brogdon, O.D., McFarland Eye Care, Little Rock, AR; Sabrina Gaan, O.D., Eyes on Plainville, Plainville, MA.; and Lisa Hornick, O.D., FAAO, Stanford Ranch Optometry, Rocklin, CA.
 
The full report, “The Culture Calculation: Data-Backed Behaviors for Contact Lens Success,” will be published in mid-October.
 
For more information: contactlensinstitute.org.