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Welcome to Optometry Simplified.

In this biweekly newsletter, I've curated the best resources to help you grow personally and professionally.

My mission is to find what's best for my patients and my practice.

Here's what I've found...

Links I Liked

Which is more important? Axial length or refractive error?​
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I admit, I use refractive error only to manage my myopia patients. I don't deny the benefits of measuring axial length, but there are significant costs to the practice in terms of cost and space. Andrew Pucker, OD, Phd, reviews the evidence for both. Review of Optometry​

Want to grow a full-scope optometric practice?​
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Don’t ignore where the profession is headed. A recent article by Joseph Munsell, O.D., Dipl. ABO outlines the current landscape of laser procedures in optometry, and it’s worth your time. Review of Optometric Business​

Supplements for our patients with inherited retinal disease?

Is it a placebo or true preservation? A recent article surveys the current and ongoing research regarding some promising supplements for inherited retinal disease.
​Retina Today

Research I'm Reading

How do you detect glaucoma progression in high myopes?​

This article analyzed 118 eyes of glaucoma patients with high myopia (-6D or more). Which better correlates to progression: optic disc vessel density or retinal nerve fiber layer thickness? Ophthalmology​

What is the global prevalence of color deficiency?

A recent paper investigated the prevalence of congenital color deficiency by region, ethicity, type, and severity. They estimated that 4.38% of males and 0.64% of females are color deficient. Ophthalmology​

Deep Thoughts

"There is no future in private practice healthcare."

Says the former CEO of Texas State Optical on a recent 2020 Money podcast with Adam Cmejla.

It’s tempting to hear that and think he’s simply acknowledging the pressures of a changing healthcare landscape.

But that mindset overlooks a critical truth: the future of private practice is still incredibly bright if we, as practice owners, adapt and stay true to our purpose.

Here are 7 reasons why Chris Wolfe, OD, and I believe in the future of private practice:

1. Hyper-Local Focus is Key: The most enduring competitive advantage for private practice is its ability to stay hyper-local, serving the unique needs of the community. When our systems, teams, and doctors are focused on solving the actual problems of our patients, we create a value proposition that corporate chains cannot replicate. Authentic understanding and tailored solutions build trust and loyalty that extend far beyond what a national brand can offer.
2. Patient Relationships Are Our Strength: Private practice thrives on the depth of relationships we can build. We have the time and freedom to know our patients, understand their concerns, and provide personalized care that can’t be duplicated in an assembly-line environment. Technology and telemedicine may enhance care, but the human connection we foster is irreplaceable.
3. The Flexibility of Ownership: Unlike corporate models constrained by rigid policies, private practices can innovate quickly. We can adjust schedules, adopt new technology, and introduce services that meet our patients’ needs without layers of bureaucracy. But flexibility is only an asset if we intentionally use it to improve care and operations.
4. Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship: Too often, discussions about the future of optometry focus on whether young ODs are willing to “hustle” or own a practice. The reality? Many want purposeful alignment between their work and meaningful impact. Comprehensive optometry is the purpose. Our challenge is to run practices in a way that sustains it: with clear systems, data-driven decisions, and a strong team culture. We must operate profitably, not to position for a quick sale, but to pay our teams well, invest in our associates, and create financially viable pathways for future partners.
5. The Power of Comprehensive Optometry: Our schools prepare graduates with advanced clinical skills in ocular disease management, but execution in practice requires structure. We must be clear about the purpose of a comprehensive exam and the intent of problem-focused follow-ups. Too often, newer doctors try to resolve every clinical uncertainty in a single visit rather than strategically building a care plan that serves the patient’s needs, ensures continuity, and works within the realities of a modern U.S. healthcare system. Done well, comprehensive care is the best thing for our patients’ long-term vision, ocular health, and overall well-being, and it strengthens community trust.
6. Cultural Ownership: We own the culture of our practices. That means hiring for values, building cohesive teams, and leading intentionally. A strong, unified culture can withstand market pressures far better than a fractured one.
7. The True Value of Ownership: Private practice ownership is more than financial. It’s about control over how care is delivered, how your team is treated, and how you engage with your community. That freedom allows us to build something lasting and deeply personal.

Independent optometry isn’t dying. However, the former TSO president's prediction may come true if we remain in outdated, reactive models.

The future of private practice depends on our willingness to stay hyper-local, stay profitable for the right reasons, and create practices that future associates are excited to join, not desperate to escape. That’s how we serve our patients, our communities, and our profession for decades to come.

It truly is there for our taking. We have to reclaim the entrepreneurial spirit enough to get it.

Practice Performance Partners Pick

One of the most overlooked procedures in eye care may also be one of the most impactful for our patients with dry eye disease.

What procedure is that? Punctal occlusion.

According to 2023 Medicare billing data, only 3,148 optometrists billed at least one 68761 code (~27,500 ODs billed something to Medicare that year), even though dry eye prevalence in patients over 65 is conservatively estimated at 15%.

This means that less than 0.3% of the Medicare population received punctal occlusion as a treatment—a massive gap between prevalence and care delivery.

Why? Potentially, it's because of the confusion around billing and coding.

Here's Chris Wolfe, OD, on his recent podcast unpacking the details of billing and documentation strategies for punctal occlusion:

Can you do me a favor? If you found any of these resources helpful, share this newsletter with one of our colleagues!

See you in 2 weeks!

--Kyle Klute, OD, FAAO

1515 S 152 Avenue Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144
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