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Power Hour · 2024-09-11

The Data Is In: Provider Sentiment, Patient Trends & Vision Expo Preview with the Vision Council

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.

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The optical industry is at a tipping point! In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Alysse Henkel and Ashley Mills from The Vision Council to uncover eye care’s most surprising trends. Armed with exclusive data and insider insights, they dive into unexpected shifts that are reshaping everything from patient spending habits to the future of optometric practices. This isn’t just another industry update—it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the forces driving change in eye care, just days before Vision Expo West reveals its latest innovations.

Drawing from over 60 million patient transaction records and rich consumer insights, this episode offers a comprehensive examination of critical shifts in patient behaviors, optometrist performance, and the impact of inflation on practices. As rising costs challenge profitability and consumer spending evolves, Alysse and Ashley break down what’s really happening behind the numbers.

Gear up for Vision Expo West with this exclusive preview! Get an insider’s look at the must-see innovations shaping the future of eyecare, from AI-powered autorefractors to the cutting-edge Sun and Sport Pavilion. Whether you’re captivated by lifestyle eyewear or the latest in optometry technology, this preview offers a glimpse into the trends and advancements that will transform your practice and patient experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve at Vision Expo West!

Why are more consumers opting for affordable eyewear? How are practices adapting to the inflation-driven shift in patient spending? And how much more are patients willing to pay for eyewear made in the USA. You’ll be surprised by what the data reveals—and even more surprised by how it can improve your business strategy. Tune in!

  • Data-Driven Insights: Understand how over 60 million patient records reveal key shifts in consumer behavior and optometrist performance.
  • Inflation Impact: Learn how inflation is affecting optical practices, from rising costs to changes in patient spending habits.
  • Made in the USA: Discover how much more patients are willing to pay for eyewear made in the USA, and what’s driving this trend.
  • Safety Eyewear Trends: A significant percentage of US consumers use safety eyewear, but few purchase it from their eye doctors—find out why.
  • Vision Expo West Preview: Find out about new AI tools, stylish eyewear trends, and products that will improve care for both patients and practices.

00:02 Introduction to Alysse Henkel & Ashley Mills

01:55 How Vision Council uses data to guide the industry

03:48 Key industry data trends

05:54 Patient retention

09:29 The effects of inflation on optical practices

13:21 Supply chain and technology innovations in optometry

15:34 AI’s role in improving patient care and efficiency.

20:42 Consumer preferences for US-made eyewear.

34:47 Growing use of safety eyewear and insights from new reports

39:24 Lifestyle-focused eyewear trends

 

Connect with Alysse Henkel:

Alysse Henkel is responsible for establishing data management systems and policies that support complex data analysis, developing market modeling systems, and delivering insights that inform strategic business recommendations. 

Before joining The Vision Council, she was a Data Fellow with Harvard University’s Strategic Data Project, where she helped an urban school district enhance its data analysis and visualization. Alysse began her career at Goodwill Industries International, leading efforts to improve national data collection and reporting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, sociology, and German from Lafayette College and a master’s in public policy from George Washington University. 

Website: https://thevisioncouncil.org/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssehenkel/  

    Connect with Ashley Mills:

    Ashley brings more than 20 years of experience in trade association management, marketing, and leadership to The Vision Council. She rejoined the organization as Vice President of Trade Shows & Meetings in January 2016, having previously served as Director of Marketing & Shows from 2003 to 2006. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Ashley resides in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband, two children, and their dog.

    Website: https://thevisioncouncil.org/  

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-a-mills/  

      Connect with Eugene Shatsman:

      Website – https://www.eugeneshatsman.com/

      LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugeneshatsman

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