As most of our practices are currently shut down, many of us are looking for avenues to still stay connected to our patients. If not through social media, then through email, text, or even phone calls. While all of this can be challenging, thank goodness for modern technology. Our contact lens suppliers have positioned us for such a time as this. Additionally, so have our GP lens manufacturers. Here are five things you can do to stay connected with your contact lens patients and, potentially, still generate a little working capital.
1. Reach out to your patients (social media, text, email) with some thoughts on contact lens wear while in quarantine. Let them know about safety and that they can contact you (call, text, etc.) if they have any issues.
2. Update your website to link to your distributor’s site for ordering contact lenses. My distributor has my practice logo on my page, so my patients think that it is my own site.
3. Connect with patients who have not ordered a year’s supply and have seen you in the last six months. Mention to these patients that it is a good time to consider ordering more contact lenses so that they do not overwear their lenses. Link them to your website, and offer a promotion on shipping. Most of the big distributors are offering free shipping, and I suggest that you pass those savings on to your patients.
4. Connect with patients who are contact lens wearers and are due to see you in the next month or two. Mention to them that you are willing (if you are willing) to extend their prescriptions and will authorize them to buy extra contact lenses to get them through the current state of things.
5. Reach out to patients who have not been in for a GP fitting in the last six months and are scheduled for a visit in the next two months. Discuss with them that you would be happy to order them another pair of lenses to get them by if they need it. Let them know that you are able to extend the warranty on lenses if changes need to be made until we are all back online (if your GP lab isn’t doing this, it should be, mine is).
While we can all rest in our sweatpants during this time, it is now that we can work through all of our to-do lists. It is now that we can stay socially connected to our patients. Try not to distance yourself from them and their contact lens wear. It is now that they need you as much as ever.
READ MORE: https://www.clspectrum.com/newsletters/contact-lenses-today/march-29,-2020
