Six years ago, at the end of my 13 year-long expedition to becoming an ophthalmologist, I stood at the precipice of fellowship graduation and found myself gazing out into the uncertain horizon of my future career. With the ink on my diploma still fresh, I took the bold leap of purchasing a large cataract and refractive practice — a dream realized, but one for which I felt very much ill-prepared. 

It was not only the intricacies of cataract surgery or refractive procedures that left me bewildered, but the new, uncharted territory of practice ownership that perplexed me as well.

The art of practice management 

It’s a common paradox faced by many eye surgeons: While we dedicate years of rigorous training to master the art of surgery, honing our technical skills to perfection, we are often ill-equipped in the art of practice management and business acumen. 

Fortunately, in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern eye care, many digital technologies have emerged to assist with the intricacies of practice management, marketing and clinical workflows to optimize practice efficiency and growth, which ultimately serve to improve our patients’ outcomes and experiences. These are the topics that we highlight in this month’s issue.

In this issue

Embracing cloud-based technologies can revolutionize our practice’s operations. Integrated electronic health records systems, scheduling software, multimedia for patient education, telemedicine platforms and streamlined diagnostics for cataract surgery can increase efficiency, reduce administrative burdens and improve patient outcomes. Cloud-based solutions also enhance data security and facilitate collaboration among staff and colleagues, no matter where they are located.

As ophthalmologists continue to incorporate cash-pay services into our practices, including refractive and cosmetic procedures, office-based surgery (OBS) is becoming more
popular for its convenience and efficiency. It also provides a more personalized experience for patients in addition to streamlining your practice’s workflow. To be successful, it is important to meet regulatory requirements, invest in the necessary equipment and maintain a high standard of patient safety. We discuss the latest updates and give tangible advice to surgeons starting out, including tips for building an OBS suite.

With rising overhead costs, shrinking reimbursements, mounting regulations, and the growing presence of private equity, many believe that the road to practice ownership is no longer feasible. As a result, a growing number of ophthalmologists have found themselves in employed positions, where autonomy often takes a backseat to institutional constraints. Despite these challenges, several ophthalmologists today embody the resilient entrepreneurial spirit and have proven that building a successful practice is not only possible, but highly desirable. I am especially proud of the young ophthalmologists, my dear colleagues, who share their practice building journeys and give practical advice on navigating ophthalmology practice ownership in today’s landscape.

We also highlight a surgeon who shares her pearls for incorporating aesthetics into your practice, not only as an additional marketing and revenue stream for practice growth, but as a holistic addition to comprehensive treatment for healthy aging.

Finally, for practice growth, social media has become a powerful tool for brand awareness and marketing. We highlight how one high-volume cataract surgeon uses social media, specifically YouTube, to grow the premium arm of his practice by sharing informative educational content and captivating patient testimonials.

It is an honor to be guest editor of this month’s issue of Ophthalmology Management, and I thank our contributors for sharing the latest technologies and insights for maximizing practice efficiency and growth in the ever-changing landscape of eye care. OM