Does anyone know solid stats on progressive non-adapts?

Question

I work for a doctor that is completely against progressives. According to my remakes at work I only have about 3% remakes-non-adapts on progressive but I still tell patients that we have about 90% success rate on first time progressive users. I overheard the doctor dogging on me saying that these numbers aren't even close to accurate and I do not know what I am talking about. If anyone has an article regarding this that can back up my numbers that would be great. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Nationwide stats will have nothing to do with your office. It mostly depends on the skill of the Optician for recommending the right progressive for the right frame and proper MRP.  I could have 0 non adapts while the optical next door has 50%.

For one thing, if the Optical is part of the same office, your doctor is apparently not interested in making any money. Your patients will go elsewhere and when he asks why there are so few sales you can show him my answer. I work in an ophthalmology practice as the sole optician. On occasion he will recommend, but usually defers to me since I am more knowledgeable in the eyeglass aspect of the practice. When the doctor recommends or does not, many patients take it as gospel. At this point it is difficult to go against what they were told. You are not doing your patients any good by not providing the most up to date lens options.

Compared to 20 years ago, progressive non-adapts are minimal. I very rarely do it any more since mid range vision is much more necessary than it was back then. With proper fitting and explanation on use, more people are adapting just fine. Most labs will give credit for non-adapts so it wouldn't cost the doctor any money to do it.

So if someone asks about progressives do you have to tell them the doctor doesn't recommend them? This takes away all of your credibility as an optical professional and is ridiculous. If the doctor refuses to budge, you should probably re-think your employment there. If you have an office manager that can act as a middleman, have a frank conversation about your feelings and what you can provide for the patients. There is too much competition out there for price and the only defense against it is good knowledgable information and customer service. Some people still care about service though it seems to be dwindling.  Talk to your lab about perhaps getting a free pair of progresives for the doctor to try, if he hasn't already.

One more thing. If you use a local lab that has a sales rep, talk to them about perhaps doing a lunch and presentation to the entire office on the latest technology regarding progressives, A/R, etc. They are intersted in helping you to improve sales, it benefits them too. Your whole office staff can benefit from the info.