The Focused View: Empowering Eye Care Professionals

In this episode, we are joined by Joy Livingood Gibb, a veteran in the optical industry with nearly 40 years of experience. From independent optician work to mobile services and now practice management in Utah, Joy has seen it all, and she's still as passionate as ever. Throughout the conversation, Joy shares her journey from wearing glasses at six years old to becoming a practice manager, ed...

When it comes to running a business, wellbeing isn't just about yoga classes, lavender oil, or taking a day off on your birthday; it's about empowering yourself, taking control, and creating systems that actually reduce stress. In this episode, Dr Leanne Faulkner, founder of Fortitude at Work, joins us to explore the reality of business wellbeing; how financial strain, lack of boundaries...

In this episode, we are joined by Louise and Teiger Sceats, the creative mother and son duo behind The Elusive Miss Lou . From eyewear that tells a story to their family mantra of quality, comfort, and fit, they share how they built a brand rooted in artistry, authenticity, and spreading joy.  Throughout the conversation, Louise reveals how her design journey began through Jono Hennessy, where she...

For years, behavioural optometry has been labelled as controversial. But what if the results speak louder than the scepticism? In this episode, we are joined by Adrian Vecchio, optometrist and director of The Eye Collective , to explore the power of specialising with passion and purpose in optometry. From discovering behavioural optometry early in his career to building a thriving independent prac...

What if you had a support network ready to answer your questions, guide you through your first grad role, and remind you why you chose optometry in the first place? That's exactly what Young Optometrists Network provides!  In this episode, we are joined by Celine Zhang, Ann Tran, and Yeghia Gharibian from Young Optometrists (YO) Network, a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to supporting op...

Ever wonder how optometry practices in the US compare to those in Australia and what we can learn from each other? In this episode, we are joined by Erich Mattei, President + Chief Vision Officer of Akrinos , to explore the landscape of independent practice, the impact of private equity, the evolving scope of practice, and how technology & consumer behaviour are reshaping the industry in the U...

What does it really take to go from being a new optometrist to owning two thriving independent practices before 30? In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Amanda Duffy, an optometrist and co‑owner of two practices, to talk about her journey as an eye care professional, her mindset, and the steps she took to confidently step into ownership. From building patient-first businesses to managing a...

Everyone loses when thousands of optical assistants are untrained. It's not their fault; it's just that they're out there performing optical services that they haven't got any idea about. – James Gibbins In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by James Gibbins, Director of Education at ACOD and one of the legends in Australia's optical industry, to dive into the two crit...

What if the real price of avoiding difficult conversations at work is losing your best team members and holding back your business growth? How much longer can you afford to stay silent? In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined again by Opticare’s Commercial Manager, Joanne Scott-Dostine, to dive into one of the most avoided yet essential parts of practice management: navigating difficult conversa...

What does Digital health really mean in the context of optometry beyond the buzzwords? Nicola Mountford unpacks one of the most relevant topics in optometry as technology continues to reshape the healthcare landscape. In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Nicola Mountford, Optometry Advancement Advisor at Optometry Australia, to explore the evolving role of digital health in optometry. Nico...

"Sustainability doesn't have to be special, it can just be a normal part of eyewear manufacturing process," - Chris Savage's take on championing small batch eyewear manufacturing, environmental responsibility, and timeless design aesthetics. In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Chris Savage, a renowned eyewear designer and founder of Objekt Eyewear & Spexcycle , to...

If your team isn't showing up the way you want, it might be time to look at your leadership. Because the truth is, thriving optical practices aren’t built on sales alone. They’re built on strong leadership, intentional training, and a team that feels seen, supported, and inspired. In this part 3 episode, Michael Nasser is back again with Kayle Ashlee, the founder of Spexy, a training platform...

Can you truly build a human connection with your patient in just one minute? In part two of our conversation, Kayla Ashlee returns to share how “adult pacifiers,” aka our phones, are quietly killing patient relationships. She reveals how soft skills, when used intentionally, can restore and create an unforgettable patient experience. Kayla shares strategies for using soft skills in every patient t...

You can have the best inventory and marketing plan for your independent practice, but if your team isn't trained to back it up, it does no good to you - Kayla Ashlee. In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Kayla Ashlee, CEO of Spexy, a US-based optical training resource that addresses the most critical struggles of independent practices. Kayla discusses the role of structured training a...

What if the advice we failed to give is the very reason our patients are now struggling with eye health issues? At what point will they come back to us, wondering why we never told them to wear sunglasses before it was too late? In this episode of the Elevate Your Practice series, Michael Nasser and Joanne Scott-Dostine, Opticare's Commercial Manager, discuss the often overlooked opportunitie...

She drove patients to the hospital by herself three times because there was no other choice - here's what a rural independent practice co-owner does to go above and beyond patient care.    Kelly O’Brien is the co-owner of Bridge Eye Care , a trusted independent practice in Murray Bridge. Her journey began with a cadet scholarship from OPSM, and she worked for them in various locations for sev...

What does it take to scale an independent practice successfully? In this episode, Michael Nasser talks with Belinda Musitano of Eyes@Optometry to explore how she has successfully built and expanded her independent practice to three thriving locations in Western Australia.     Throughout the conversation, Belinda shared how she transitioned from being an optical dispenser to a practice owner, the k...

You might think to yourself, I'm a good leader! Okay, but does your self-awareness match how your team perceives you?   In this episode, Michael Nasser and Dr. Bethany Fishbein dive deeper into emotional intelligence (EI) and its practical application in leadership development. Dr. Bethany shares the six key leadership competencies, how to evaluate and interpret them, and provides actionable...

Great leaders don't just focus on goals and deadlines. They connect with emotions, too. Emotional intelligence is the secret ingredient that transforms leadership, strengthens optometry teams, and drives meaningful results. In this episode, Michael Nasser speaks with Dr. Bethany Fishbein, a New Jersey-based optometrist and Emotional Intelligence practitioner. Together, they explore the critic...

Are you curious about where the optical industry is headed and what it means for you as an eye care professional? In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Skye Cappuccio, CEO of Optometry Australia , to dive into the Optometry 2040 project , an initiative to shape the future of optometry by understanding key trends, challenges, and opportunities that will impact the profession in the years to...

Are you ready to advance your career in 2025? The optical industry is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead requires more than just keeping up—it demands proactive learning and strategic growth. In this special holiday episode, we revisit insightful discussions on professional development and myopia management, providing you with tools to advance your practice in 2025.    Whether you're an opto...

Are your optical practice and patient data truly secure? With cyber-attacks on the rise and an increasingly complex legal landscape, eye care professionals need to be made aware of how vulnerable their businesses may be.  In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Luke Arundel, Chief Clinical Officer at Optometry Australia, to delve into the critical topic of cybersecurity and legal risks facing...

What makes an optical business successful? According to Dr. Brianna Rhue, it's not just purchasing the OCT (Optical coherence tomography), but investing in technology that makes it easier for patients to do business with you.    In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Dr. Brianna Rhue, a US-based optometrist and founder of Dr. Contact Lens, to discuss innovative strategies and tech resou...

In this special episode, recorded live at the OptiPro Roadshow in Sydney, host Michael Nasser sits down with Joanne Scott-Dostine, Opticare's Commercial Manager, to share actionable marketing strategies tailored for optometry and optical dispensing practices. Whether you want to enhance your website's user experience, boost patient engagement, or make the most of social media, this episo...

As myopia rates surge globally, eye care professionals are faced with the growing challenge of looking for ways to control it. In this episode, Michael Nasser sits down with Jagrut Lallu, a leading expert in myopia management and founder of New Zealand's first myopia control clinic, to understand the science of myopia management and explore technological innovations and collaborative business...