Positive Impact event explores opportunities of niche contact lenses

Delegates heard about the business potential of operating a specialist contact lens practice at the launch of Positive Impact’s Specialist Club on 9 July.

The event, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Wembley, was attended by 60 practitioners, who spoke to exhibitors and participated in interactive CET sessions on specialist and niche contact lenses.

Optometrist at Leightons Opticians, Indie Grewal (pictured), shared with delegates how he had maximised the commercial opportunity of contact lenses at his St Albans practice following the 2008 recession.

During his presentation, Mr Grewal said: “Create a spreadsheet that contains patients who have yet to succeed in contact lenses, as well as a wish list for future contact lens patients. That way when a new contact lens comes to market, you're in a position to respond in a targeted way.”

He added that providing contact lens services to patients can offer a “huge sense of satisfaction” for practitioners. “Whether that be putting a young child into contact lenses, or fitting a frustrated presbyope with multifocals, there is contact lens solution available for most patients,” he explained.

Other speakers at the event included clinical director at UltraVision, optometrist Lynn White, who spoke about fitting soft contact lenses, and professional services manager at Menicon, Josie Barlow, who gave an overview of orthokeratology and myopia management.

Speaking about the Specialist Club meeting, Ms Barlow said: “This event highlighted that the practitioners who attended were really engaged in the new bespoke devices available to them and the research that details the efficacy of such contact lens options.”

Positive Impact’s event was organised in collaboration with contact lens manufacturers SynergEyes, Menicon and UltraVision with support from Contamac, Entod and the British Contact Lens Association.