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Evaluating Sublease Opportunities: Key Questions Every Optometrist Should Ask

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Selecting the right sublease location is a critical business decision that can significantly impact your income, patient mix, and long-term professional satisfaction. Each sublease opportunity is unique—some are turnkey operations, others are newly developed locations, and some come with an established patient base. Understanding what to evaluate and which questions to ask can help you make an informed and strategic decision.

When gathering information, it is important to speak with multiple stakeholders, including recruiters, regional managers, and store managers. Answers may vary depending on the source, so asking the same questions of each party—on separate occasions—can help verify accuracy. If a previous doctor practiced at the location, speaking directly with them can provide valuable insight and help avoid unexpected challenges.

Finally, remember that most lease terms are negotiable. A thorough evaluation upfront can protect your practice and position you for sustainable growth.

Operational Structure and Clinical Autonomy

  1. How are appointments scheduled, and what is the standard appointment length?
  2. What expectations exist regarding walk-in patients?
  3. Will you have autonomy to practice according to your preferred model, such as medical optometry, vision therapy, or contact lenses?
  4. What level of administrative and clinical support is provided by the staff?

Staff Experience and Responsibilities

  1. How long has the staff been employed at the location? Staff longevity often reflects stability, engagement, and operational efficiency.
  2. What responsibilities does the staff handle for your practice, including appointment scheduling, pre-testing, insurance verification, and authorization processing?

Financial Terms and Lease Considerations

  1. What is included in the rent (equipment, staffing, calibration, office supplies, etc.)?
  2. What is the current rent, and are increases expected in future years? Be aware that basing rent on a percentage of doctor income is illegal in some states.
  3. For newer or lower-volume locations, is there flexibility to adjust days or hours based on patient demand and seasonal trends?
  4. What restrictive covenant applies to the location, and what is the geographic radius? These terms are often negotiable and can significantly affect future practice options.
  5. What are the termination provisions for both parties, including required notice periods and lease duration?

Historical Performance and Patient Retention

  1. If another optometrist previously practiced at the location, why did they leave, and what was their weekly schedule?
  2. Were patient records retained at the location or transferred elsewhere? If patients followed the departing doctor, this may impact initial patient volume and serve as a negotiating point for rent or hours.
  3. What were the gross optical sales for the location over the past year? Doctor revenue often approximates 22% of optical sales, though this varies based on insurance mix and medical services offered.
  4. What percentage of sales come from outside prescriptions, indicating the strength of local marketing efforts?
  5. What proportion of patients are new, self-pay, or vision plan participants? A healthy, growing location typically sees 25–40% new patients.

Volume Expectations and Growth Potential

  1. Are patient volume reports available for the prior optometrist or projected volumes for new locations? A sustainable schedule typically supports 8–12 patients per day before expanding days or hours.
  2. For new locations, recognize that building a patient base often takes up to three years. Confirm whether your contract allows you to practice at additional locations during this period.
  3. Are you permitted to sell products within your office? Product sales can contribute up to 20% of gross revenue and may offer additional growth opportunities.

Competitive Landscape and Strategic Planning

  1. Does the lease include a split-lease provision allowing another doctor to practice on days you are not present? This arrangement should be reviewed carefully to ensure it aligns with your long-term goals.
  2. What is the competitive density in the area, including private practices within five miles and corporate opticals within ten miles? Understanding competitor schedules can help you strategically select hours and days that maximize patient access.
  3. Can the optical guarantee a minimum number of patients per week?

Final Thoughts

A sublease can be an excellent opportunity to build or expand your practice—but only when approached with a clear understanding of the operational, financial, and competitive factors involved. Asking the right questions and negotiating thoughtfully can help ensure that the opportunity aligns with your professional goals and sets the foundation for long-term success.

Playing Defense in Optical Sales

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Optical sales account for 60% or more of revenue in many private practices. Traditionally, we’ve focused on KPIs like capture rate, staff bonuses on upgrades, and maximizing insurance reimbursements. The higher the capture rate, the higher the compensation for optical staff. The logic has been simple: the higher the capture rate, the stronger the practice.

But here’s the problem: the strategies haven’t changed. We continue to hear the same tactics—discounting, price-matching, negotiating with labs, or private labeling. Meanwhile, the landscape has shifted. Online retailers have sold tens of millions of pairs of glasses so far and will continue to grow. Managed care increasingly directs patients to optical chains, and online retailers like Zenni sell glasses for $15—an impossible price point to compete with. Even corporate opticals are struggling to keep pace with the online market.

The future of optometry lies in expanding scope of practice, leveraging AI for administrative tasks, and moving beyond reliance on optical sales alone.

So, what happens when all the traditional “offense” strategies fail? After exhausting every effort to capture the sale, it’s time to think differently: play defense. Just as in sports, defense can win championships—why not use the same approach to strengthen our profession long-term?

Here’s how I play defense when patients are determined to buy glasses online—something many of them have done for years without issue:

  1. Contact Lenses for New Wearers – Introduce them as affordable, practical alternatives: (Ortho K, daily lenses, extended wear contact lens.
  2. Refractive Surgery – If the patient is a candidate, recommend LASIK as a glasses-free option.
  3. Cataract Surgery with Premium IOLs – For appropriate patients, discuss lens implants that reduce or eliminate the need for glasses.
  4. Presbyopia Drops (e.g.,Vizz) – Offer cutting-edge solutions for patients who want freedom from reading glasses.

Playing defense isn’t about giving up on optical—it’s about protecting the value of our profession. Stop fueling online retailers. Too many ODs avoid this approach out of fear it will hurt their dispensary if they fit cl or rx a presbyopia drop. But when a patient is already set on purchasing elsewhere, refusing to play defense only fuels online retailers and undermines the role of optometry. By expanding the conversation and offering alternatives, we provide real value, build trust, and protect our profession in the long run but not supporting our competitors.

Fitting Specialty Lenses in Corporate Optometry

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Fitting specialty lenses, such as scleral lenses, in corporate optometry offices presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While these lenses offer immense value to patients with complex vision needs, the logistics of offering them in a corporate setting can raise questions about feasibility, profitability, and professional autonomy. Here’s a closer look at the factors influencing the fitting of specialty lenses in corporate optometry offices, along with insights from industry professionals.

Offering Specialty Lenses: The Corporate Setting Dilemma

Some optometrists working in corporate settings express concern about whether they can offer specialty lenses like sclerals to their patients. While the corporate structure may not facilitate insurance-based billing for specialty lenses, there is no barrier to offering them as a private-pay service.

The corporate environment may feel restrictive, but that the location of practice should not limit an optometrist’s ability to offer advanced care. Optometrists should be able to fit specialty lenses no matter where they practice. Many corporate optometrists have implemented sclerals in their practices and expressed hope that other sublease owners can share their experiences of success within corporate settings.

The Profitability of Specialty Lenses

One of the key advantages of offering scleral lenses is the potential profitability, particularly when they are offered on a self-pay basis. Specialty lenses like sclerals are often not fully covered by insurance, making a cash-pay option appealing for optometrists. Offering these services privately allows optometrists to charge what they are worth! Cash-pay basis approach allows optometrists to bypass insurance complications and ensure they are fairly compensated for the specialized care they provide.

Market Demand and Competition

When considering offering specialty lenses in a corporate setting, it is essential to understand the market demand. Optometrists need to assess whether there is a patient population in their area that would benefit from scleral lenses and whether there is competition from other practitioners fitting these lenses.

It is important to differentiate between patients who would benefit from scleral lenses and those who truly need them. Understanding the exact demand in the local market is critical to ensuring the success of a specialty lens service in any setting.

Navigating Corporate Logistics

One of the more practical concerns of offering specialty lenses in a corporate optometry office is navigating corporate policies and logistics. For instance, how do you plan to order sclerals in a a corporate setting? Do you have to set up your own account? What if you are not allowed to sell contacts at your sublease? Having it in your contract clearly laid out is very important.

For optometrists in corporate environments, it may be necessary to seek written approval from the corporation. Having a clear understanding of corporate policies around specialty lenses can help avoid complications down the road.

Overcoming Insurance Barriers

Insurance challenges are another common issue for optometrists offering specialty lenses in corporate settings.

This sentiment is shared by others who feel that corporate optometrists are sometimes limited by insurance structures.

Conclusion

Fitting specialty lenses in corporate optometry offices is not without its challenges, but it is entirely possible. With careful consideration of private-pay options, profitability, market demand, and corporate logistics, optometrists can successfully offer scleral lenses and other specialty lenses in a corporate setting. By charging fair prices and navigating corporate hurdles, optometrists can provide high-quality care to patients who need it most, regardless of the practice environment.

Gearing Up for Insurance Week: Strategies for Success

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The end-of-year rush is here, and for many practices, Insurance Week marks the busiest and most chaotic time. Patients come in to use their benefits before they expire, creating an increase demand for appointments,and high demand for optical products. To make the most of week 52, here’s a breakdown of best practices for scheduling, operations, and maximizing efficiency.

1. Optimize Your Schedule

  • Extend Hours: Consider opening earlier or staying later to accommodate more patients. Starting an hour earlier and staying an hour later can accommodate at least 6 patients a day. Open your appointment book on Sunday as well.
  • Eliminate Bottlenecks: Reduce or postpone follow-up appointments to free up slots for comprehensive exams or high-priority visits. Start to recall your patients to come in earlier in the month. Be mindful of insurance benefits and ensure they can do so.
  • Weekend Coverage: Add weekend hours to cater to patients unable to come during the week. Sunday can be a great day to add additional coverage to accommodate patients and the day doesn’t have to be long either. It will open the rest of the days to accommodate walk ins.

2. Streamline Insurance Verification

  • Pre-Verify Benefits: Check insurance details for scheduled patients ahead of time to minimize delays.
  • Encourage Prep Work: Ask patients to provide their insurance information in advance to streamline the process.

3. Boost Efficiency

  • Train Staff for Speed and Accuracy: Make sure your team is well-versed in processing claims quickly and answering insurance-related questions.
  • Stock Up on Essentials: Ensure your trial lenses, year-supply contacts, and optical inventory are ready to meet increased demand. A fully stocked inventory prevents delays and improves patient satisfaction.
  • Lean on Technology: Use software or apps for scheduling, patient reminders, and insurance lookups to reduce manual work. Online appointment books have been a great way to attract new patients.

4. Marketing Strategies

  • Benefit Reminders: Start early! Sending reminders in November helps to spread out the rush.
  • Leverage Digital Channels: Use email campaigns, social media, and Google Ads to reach patients. Highlight the urgency of using their benefits before they expire.
  • Local Ads: If you’re in a competitive market, traditional advertising can still make a big impact. Google ads that target patients looking for same day appointments and ease of booking online.

5. Maximize Sales Opportunities

  • Promote Year-Supply Contact Purchases: Encourage patients to use their remaining benefits on full-year supplies of contact lenses, offering discounts or rebates when possible.
  • Upsell Multiple Pairs: Frame promotions or second-pair discounts can help patients make the most of their insurance.
  • Last-Minute Packages: Create bundled deals for patients who want to maximize their vision benefits and get the best value.

6. Prepare Mentally and Physically

The busy pace can be draining. Ensure your team has what they need to succeed:

  • Fuel the Team: Keep coffee flowing or stock up on snacks to keep moral high. Providing a paid lunch during that week will encourage more cooperation.
  • Encourage Breaks: Overworked staff can lead to mistakes and burnout. Make sure your team gets proper breaks, even during peak hours. If you can take off Christmas Eve as well, which is traditionally slow, it is recommended as a trade off to the busy week.

Final Takeaway

Insurance Week doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By extending hours, optimizing schedules, and preparing your team, you can meet patient demand while maximizing revenue. With the right strategies, you’ll not only survive but thrive during this critical period.

Cash Pay Models in Optometry: Risks, Rewards, and Real-World Experiences

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The debate over whether to drop vision plans from an optometry office is one of many issues optometrists face in the Corporate Optometry Facebook group. Eliminating low-paying vision plans can lead to increased profitability, but there is the fear of losing patients—and potentially income—when dropping these plans. While many success stories highlight increased net income, some wonder if the opposite could happen, leading to a decline in revenue. Let’s look at both perspectives, drawing from real-world experiences shared by optometrists in the Facebook group.

The Fear of Patient Loss and Income Decline

One of the main reasons optometrists hesitate to drop vision plans is the fear that patients will leave the practice due to the increased costs. One OD stated that if a patient is complaining about a $10 copay why would they want to pay out of pocket for an eye exam? The concern is that patients are used to utilizing their insurance benefits in optometry offices and if you don’t take insurance they will go elsewhere where they do take their plan.

While this fear is valid, some optometrists have found that the financial hit isn’t as severe as they anticipated, or that they actually ended up making more money by focusing on higher-value patients and services. New cash-pay models have emerged with dry eye, aesthetics and myopia management. These models have expanded to only specialty practices that focus on that niche. These offices are established offices with years in the community and tens of thousands of patients. A cold start private office or new sublease might need to rely on certain plans to keep the lights on. There have been buying groups that have programs to increase reimbursements from certain plans. This might be something to look into if your patient demographic is heavy with that plan.

Slowly Dropping Plans: A Strategic Approach

A cautious, phased approach to dropping vision plans can help ease the transition and mitigate income loss. Gradually dropping insurance plans was one strategic approach. Some ODs strategically evaluated chair costs and started to drop lowest paying plans. By taking small steps and analyzing the impact of dropping each plan, optometrists can avoid a sudden financial shock and gradually adjust their practice model. Corporate ODs saw cash-paying patients fill the gaps left by insurance-based patients, and they provided receipts for those who wanted to self-submit their claims. This approach allows optometrists to maintain patient loyalty while avoiding less profitable insurance plans. The medical model has been around for a while, as we get more scope in each state, optometrists should utilize their license to the max to diagnose and treat their patients.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

For many optometrists, the key takeaway from dropping vision plans has been not just maintaining income but working more efficiently. When vision plans pay low reimbursement rates, it often forces optometrists to see more patients leading to longer hours and more staffing.

Preparing Patients for the Transition

Patient communication is crucial when transitioning away from vision plans. Many ODs offered advice on how to explain this transition to patients. Some patients will understand the value of the care you provide, and others may leave the practice. However, by encouraging patients to stay—offering them out-of-network benefits, accepting HSA and FSA cards, and providing clear instructions for submitting claims—you can retain a significant portion of your patient base.

Additionally, offering exceptional care and focusing on patient experience can help bridge the gap. Technology and medical model is one way to do that. Stay ahead of the curve and introduce new treatments into your office.

Maximizing Profitability

Even if a medical plan or vision plan patients make up a large portion of a practice’s patient base, their low reimbursement rates often do little to contribute to profitability. By eliminating these low-value plans, optometrists can free up time to focus on more profitable services and patients. Maximizing time with patients can increase the quality of care without having to worry about other financial issues. We can worry about taking care of what is best for the patient.

Final Thoughts: Making the Decision

Dropping plans is not an easy decision, and it requires careful consideration of your practice’s patient base, financial structure, and long-term goals. Optometrists should always accept medical insurance to ensure patients have access to necessary care and get patients in at a reasonable time frame to provide care. Corporate ODs need to read their contracts to work with Optical to know which plans might be mandatory.

While the fear of income decline is valid, many optometrists have found that dropping certain plans leads to a more profitable, efficient, and fulfilling practice. By preparing patients, phasing out plans gradually, and focusing on providing exceptional care, optometrists can thrive without relying on certain plans.

Great Expectations in Eye Care

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Reflecting on the past years, I’ve encountered many different people whom I admired for their significant accomplishments. I followed them on LinkedIn, read their articles, and tried to engage in conversations with them, ask them to mentor me. Inquiring about their perspectives on the industry, future predictions for eye care, strategic approaches, and influencing visions has always been a passion of mine. Discussing how shifts within our industry can echo throughout, both in the present and a decade down the line. There’s an innate futuristic inclination within me, driving my ambition to achieve various career milestones. For me, it’s not just about embracing challenges; it’s about thriving on them. I deeply respect individuals within our field who challenge the established norms, remaining independent of sponsor influence or fear-based tactics. I looked up to successful entrepreneurs who embodied the vision I had for myself – to be a self-employed business owner, enjoying the freedom to chart my own course.

Early in my career, I held executives in high regard, believing that their expertise extended across the expansive landscape of eye care management, spanning numerous locations. Their leadership titles carried significant weight in my mind, and I admired them for their accomplishments in steering large organizations. However, this perception was met with disappointment as I embarked on my journey as an aspiring entrepreneur. Engaging with these executives, I discovered that many lacked a comprehensive understanding of the latest industry trends or specific business metrics. Some even reacted negatively to my inquiries, which puzzled me as a young optometrist eager to discuss innovative strategies and business model implementations. Reflecting on these interactions, I now realize that their frustration stemmed from their own uncertainty and lack of answers rather than any fault of mine for asking questions.

Over the years, some interactions proved fleeting, ending after brief encounters at conferences without any further continuation. In contrast, a few interactions did lead to minor opportunities, primarily benefiting the executive involved. The underlying notion behind these one-sided opportunities was the promise that their network would be made aware of our collaboration, only for no mention of it.

Collaborations sometimes led to helping others achieve their objectives, only for my own business goals to be undermined or ideas appropriated without credit. Career advancement often involved navigating through political dynamics. Yet, regardless of these challenges, maintaining resilience and grit has been crucial in upholding high expectations.

Chasing after career dreams usually requires ambition, determination, and the longing for personal satisfaction. No matter the disappointments you may face, understand that the greatest expectations are that you keep you aiming high. Continue to improve and embrace the disappointments, those the the key moments in your career that make you different then others.

What you offer may not always be returned, but aiming high to accomplish more, discover more about yourself, is truly thrilling! It’s important to take lessons from others’ missteps and dare to change the status quo. When you have great expectations you have the ability to make a tremendous impact. You don’t have to conform all the time; forging your own path is empowering. Those who carve out their own journey to success are harder to bring down than those who rely solely on others’ support.

Exploring Anonymous Posts: Insights into the Eye Care Industry

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In the eye care industry, anonymity might be utilized to facilitate open and honest discussions about sensitive topics. This approach could be particularly beneficial in situations where individuals feel uncomfortable or embarrassed discussing certain issues openly.

Anonymous postings emerged within the Corporate Optometry Facebook group prior to Facebook implementing this feature. It provided optometrists with a platform to ask questions they hesitated to post openly. Individuals would privately message the admin, who would then share the question on their behalf. The members of the group placed their trust in the admin, who remained loyal to their commitment to anonymity, even in the face of pressure from larger entities. True leaders demonstrate integrity by refusing to disclose sensitive information when subjected to high-pressure tactics.

With time, this concept gained traction within the eye care community, prompting other groups to adopt it. It fostered a culture of trust and authenticity, contributing to the growth of the Facebook group. Optometrists relied on the group admin to share sensitive content and seek guidance on topics ranging from employers and contracts to medical case.

The trend gained even more momentum when Facebook introduced the option to post anonymously directly in all groups, facilitating its widespread adoption. It’s now a common practice across many groups and has become standard in social media posting. This shift has encouraged people to express themselves more freely without fear of reprisal. While this concept isn’t new, similar platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor have long allowed former employees to anonymously review their jobs.

Anonymous posting carries potential disadvantages, especially if individuals misuse their anonymity for personal gain or to spread false information, or to launch attacks on others. The authenticity that has fostered growth within the Corporate Optometry Facebook group is crucial; members can discern between genuine and fabricated posts. Mishandled anonymous posting can tarnish a brand’s reputation if not executed with care and integrity.This approach allows individuals to share valuable insights and information without the pressure of being identified or scrutinized. It can potentially shed light on issues and help bring attention to them very quickly and create accountability.

I’m pleased that others adopted my approach to anonymous social posts. It’s gratifying to see how it has positively impacted our industry. It’s a reminder that one person’s idea can lead to significant changes in behavior and practices within a community. Absolutely, with the power to influence comes the responsibility to use it wisely and authentically. While anonymous social posts can be a powerful tool for fostering open dialogue and positive change, it’s crucial to consider the potential consequences of posting for personal gains. Maintaining authenticity and integrity in our interactions, even in anonymous forums, is essential to preserving trust and credibility within the Corporate Optometry community.

Overall, anonymous posts in the eye care industry can foster a sense of community, support, and education while respecting individuals’ privacy and comfort levels. It has broken down barriers to communication and empower individuals to speak up about important issues. Giving optometrists a voice to change our industry.

What Does Your Version of Success Look Like in Optometry?

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Many optometrists may find themselves pressured to conform to predefined molds rather than embarking on journeys that align with their personal happiness. When setting out on a career path, it’s common to fixate on the anticipated satisfaction upon reaching predefined milestones. However, pursuing someone else’s idea of success can lead to a challenging and unfulfilling journey.

Checking the boxes doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. Without a clear understanding of what success means to oneself, it becomes difficult to recognize it once achieved. Establishing a personal definition of success provides a tangible goal, fostering a sense of satisfaction and direction. There are so many opportunities to do different things in eye care and enhance your personal fulfillment. Many optometrists find themselves in a state of burn out because they are not doing what they are passionate about. Some individuals simply mimic the journeys of others, attempting to replicate their success by emulating their actions. However, mirroring someone else’s path will never lead to complete fulfillment. Forge your own trail, pursue your objectives in your unique manner, and create your own path to success.

 

Having a clear vision of personal success serves as a compass, guiding ODS towards fulfillment and satisfaction. Success is not determined by money or accolades. If you are consistently looking for applause for the work that you do, you will never find your happiness in eye care.

As  business owners in optometry, many have found themselves in a roller coaster of emotions. Highs and lows in success. What is success as a business owner? Financial success? How much is enough? When is the right time to evaluate and know you reached your true potential?

The realization of success comes from the impact you can make on others. We as optometrists impact many people,  our patients and our staff. Others advocate for our profession and for people we will never meet, but changed their lives in ways we will never know.

Your definition of success is uniquely yours. It’s not determined by the number of practices you own, the amount of money you earn, or the accolades you receive. Instead, it’s about what brings you fulfillment.

The Opportunities to Integrate AI into your Practice.

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The incorporation of AI in optometry will transform the way we diagnose and provide care to patients. There are opportunities within optometry to leverage AI, utilizing the data from imaging systems and electronic health record (EHR) data. Here are several advantages illustrating how AI can positively influence both patients and the industry.

Integrating AI into remote eye examinations offers the potential to enhance precision in refractions and detect eye diseases at early stages using data from telemedicine assessments. Telemedicine eye exams has not only expanded access to care for patients in rural America but have also addressed the shortage of optometry practitioners in various areas. Additionally, the growing preference among optometrists for remote jobs suggests that the opportunities for leveraging AI in this context will likely continue to expand. AI will provide efficient screening, and diagnostic testing and improve imaging analysis.

With the advancements in analyzing big data, we can anticipate earlier detection of eye diseases and a thorough analysis of the prevalence of advancing conditions. This capability will enable the development of more personalized treatment plans. From a business perspective in optometry, these innovations allow us to confidently see a higher volume of patients each day, facilitating a smoother diagnosis and streamlining the process of referrals for treatment plans.

Imagine the world of Eye Care where AI solutions streamline the approval of prior authorizations, assisting with uncovering KPIs in your practice to make it more profitable and schedule appointments for patients to contribute to a more lean and efficient practice.

Impact with purpose. Envision assisting visually impaired individuals with new AI solutions, delivering care to underdeveloped countries from your living room, and changing the lives of patients with tools that we never had before!

Clarity Unveiled: The Transformative Power of Transparency

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In a recent survey within the corporate optometry sector revealed that 98% of Optometrists expressed dissatisfaction with the transparency level regarding decision-making in corporate optometry. Given the recent industry-wide changes in the corporate sector, numerous Optometrists are turning to the Corporate Optometry Facebook group for updates and the latest information about their respective companies. Optometrists deserve receiving information directly from the company rather than relying on social media for updates.

Over the years, transparency has become increasingly crucial in corporate optometry. Factors such as acquisitions to store closures have impacted many ODs. The expansion of telemedicine, and AI have made notable changes in our industry. In the current recession, marked by high uncertainty, optometrists face reduced lay offs, reduced hours, decreased bonuses, and salaries.

Leadership changes, especially when executives transition to entirely different industries, pose challenges for building lasting business relationships. To ensure long-term success, accountability must extend across the board.

Optometrists seek quality partnerships with in high trustworthiness, recognizing that transparency is the building blocks maintaining trust in professional relationships. In an era marked by low optometrist retention and high turnover, effective communication becomes vital to reduce uncertainty and anxiety among optometrists. ODs involvement in major decisions fosters engagement, ultimately contributing to increased revenue for both the store and the company. ODs want to part of something, help build something greater than just their career. Involve them in discusses, listen to feedback. Decisions made should take into account OD’s careers as well.

There are many metrics on how individuals are tracked by performance, yet being transparent and ethic is not one of those. Many decisions that are made are to benefit an individual. Leaders within organizations need to understand that their decisions many times impact many ODs, families, an entire industry and patient care. If transparency was measured, you would find that many ODs follow and value individuals that might not be a decision maker but a person that is trustworthy and transparent. The moral can change when decisions are made in a collaborative method and open communication on initiatives.

Transparency in corporate decision-making is crucial for creating a positive work environment, maintaining trust, and ensuring the success and growth of both the optometry practice and the careers of individual optometrists. Open communication builds a foundation for better results and higher OD retention and better patient outcomes. Ultimately, the impact of transparency extends beyond just disclosures, it shapes a culture of accountability and collaboration that strengthens any organization. Image an industry with no hidden agendas and the future is as clear as 20/20.