Power Hour Optometry

Going from one location to two sounds exciting… until  it's  not.   The truth is, scaling a practice  brings on  a completely different level of complexity  than just more patients or an increase in revenue;  it's   new operational pressure points, and a whole new set of problems that  don't  show up until  you're  already in motion.   In this listener-requested episode of  Power Hour , host  Euge...

If your optical felt different in 202 5,  you  weren't  imagining it.   Across the country, practices saw  capture rates slip ,  exam- onlys  rise , and  patients walk out the door with a fresh refraction ,  buying absolutely nothing.  W e know  this  isn't   temporary , so the  Power Hour is   not waiting it out ,  we're  getting proactive .   This week,  Eugene and   Kayla Ashlee , CEO of  Spexy...

In this episode of Power Hour, Eugene Shatsman sits down with Gary Gerber to explore why growth stalls when practices run on autopilot — and how revisiting the basics can unlock revenue, efficiency, and sustainability without adding complexity.

operationally, and financially—is where most practices struggle. A Problem Most Practices Recognize Many practices invest in advanced technology with good intentions—better care, differentiation, growth. Yet months later, the equipment is used inconsistently, reserved for rare cases, or quietly avoided because it disrupts flow. Dr. Brujic explains why this happens so often: Doctors buy equipment t...

When close rates stall around 30–40%, most teams blame price.  What if the real issue is what happens after the appointment? Myopia management is no longer "up-and-coming." It's here, and it's big. In this episode of Power Hour , Eugene sits down with Matt Oerding , CEO & Founder of Treehouse Eyes , to unpack a market Matt describes as a untapped   opportunity, and the uncomfortable reality behind...

What if cutting your staff dramatically could increase your profit margins by up to  30% with capture rates being at 78%?   This week on  Power Hour , Eugene sits down with  Dr. Lauretta Justin , Founder of  Optometry Divas  and creator of  The CEO of You , to unpack a transformation that starts with burnout and ends with clarity, profit, and purpose.   After running a full-scope practice with a t...

What if the biggest shift in your practice this year  doesn't  come from a new piece of equipment, a new hire, or a new plan — but from the way you train your brain to notice joy?   In this episode of  Power Hour , host  Eugene  Shatsman  is joined by  Allegra Cohen (TEDx speaker, author, and Chief Joy Officer of BRAVE LIFE)  for a conversation that blends  neuroscience, leadership, and everyday h...

Every optometrist dreams of running a practice that truly reflects their passion. Few ever rebuild one from scratch to make it happen.   That's exactly what Dr. Stephanie Woo did.   After years of running three full-scope practices, she sold them all to pursue a vision that challenged everything she'd known about optometry — a specialty-only clinic built entirely around custom contact lenses, conc...

What separates the practices that are growing in 2025 from those falling behind?   This week on Power Hour , Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Dr. Jason Lake , General Manager of PERC and Opti-Port , for another data-driven conversation every practice owner should hear.   As one of optometry's top data experts, Dr. Lake manages one of the largest private-practice datasets in the industry , giving him...

Most optometry practices think AI is complicated, expensive, or years away from being practical. This episode proves otherwise. In this first-ever live build on the Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman and AI consultant Abhi Bhattacharya (Amazon Alexa, Athenahealth, VSP Vision) create a working AI voice agent — from scratch — that calls and confirms patient appointments in real time. No long timelines...

Description What can optometry learn from today's entrepreneurs and innovators? In this episode of The Power Hour, Eugene sits down with Ukti Vora (The Nerdy Optometrist) to explore how innovation, technology, and mindset are shaping the future of the optometry. Ukti shares her journey from India to the U.S., offering a global perspective on how optometry is evolving — from independent practices a...

What makes a conference more than just a meeting?   For over six decades, the Heart of America Eye Care Congress has been one of optometry's most enduring traditions — bringing together thousands of professionals, students, and industry partners for education, innovation, and community.   In this episode of Power Hour , recorded live in Kansas City, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dr. Susan La...

Navigating managed vision care can be complex.   Between reimbursements, benefits, and patient expectations, finding the balance between patient satisfaction and profitability is no small feat. But what if the key isn't fighting the system , but understanding lesser-known opportunities that exist within managed care?   In this episode of Power Hour , host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Todd Lasson...

What happens when you bring together some of the sharpest minds shaping the future of optometry and optical retail?   You get an unfiltered conversation that uncovers where innovation meets patient care, where business decisions meet real-world practice, and where industry leadership is steering the next decade of eye care.  

In this special edition of Power Hour recorded live at Vision Expo West, host Eugene Shatsman takes you behind the scenes of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge , co-hosted by VSP Vision Global Innovation Center , The Vision Council , and MATTER , and first time involvement for the Power Hour.   From 50+ groundbreaking submissions to 6 stage finalists and 3 transformative winners, this episode cap...

Ten Patients. $1.2K Each. How Dr. Evie Lawson Rebuilt the Exam and the Business   What if your next growth leap didn't come from seeing more patient s, but from redesigning the visit itself?  

What stories are shaping the future of optometry, and how do we know where the industry is headed?   To answer that, we turned to someone with perhaps the broadest view in eyecare today: Anne M. Cooper , Editorial Director of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine .  

In this eye-opening episode of The Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes back  Adam Cmejla , Cer tified Financial Planner, Founder and Owner of Integrated Planning & Wealth Management, and Host of 20/20 Money Podcast — to pull back the curtain on the relentless "compression" squeezing optometry practices right now.  

Scaling a practice is never easy, especially when new growth often brings growing pains.   But what if you could expand your practice, add associates, and increase profitability without losing momentum — or yourself — in the process?  

If you're in optometry, chances are you've heard of — or are already part of — ODs on Facebook . With over 47,000 members , millions of annual comments , and hundreds of ODs engaging daily, it's the largest and most influential optometry community online.  

In this rare behind-the-scenes episode of Power Hour , host Eugene Shatsman is joined by an all-star panel from the American Optometric Association — Dr. Thomas A. Lucas, Jr. (Director of Advocacy, Texas Optometric Association), Dr. Jacqueline M. Bowen (President, AOA), and Dr. Jon F. Pederson (Trustee, AOA). Together, they pull back the curtain on the legislation, advocacy strategies, and state-l...

In this Power Hour episode, host Eugene Shatsman brings together two of the most respected leaders in the field: Dr. Brianna Rhue and Dr. Thanh Mai . Collectively, their practices manage thousands of active myopia patients across multiple locations. They've guided countless other ODs to success, and they're here to give you a play‑by‑play of what works, what doesn't , and how to take your results...

Ever wonder what your associate doctors should really be producing? Or how to fairly structure pay in today's competitive market?    Welcome to the latest installment of the Power Hour's Quarterly Metrics Roundup , where this quarter's spotlight is on one of the most crucial, and often misunderstood topics: how to pay your doctors properly .  

There's no sugarcoating it: the data shows the eye care industry is facing headwinds.   Patient volume is down. Consumer sentiment is shifting. Tariffs are rattling supply chains, and the future of our biggest industry event is being reimagined.  

Is optometry the next frontier for aesthetic medicine? In this insightful episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Chelsea Kesty to explore a booming opportunity: aesthetic procedures in and around the eye, and how optometrists can responsibly and profitably tap into it.