ECP Solution Center

New Practice Thrives With NO-GLARE

Christina Curcione, OD & Jennifer Sortor, OD (L to R), co-owners of Ann Arbor Optometry

Ann Arbor Optometry, a fledgling, 2,400 squarefeet, family-oriented optometric practice based in Ann Arbor, Mich., is doing more than surviving in an economic climate that continues to be challenging in this state. In spite of opening only three years ago, the two principles, Christina Curcione, OD, and Jennifer Sortor, OD, fuel success by offering the newest premium technology in lens materials and designs with No-Glare as the cornerstone. Approximately 70 percent of lens sales include No-Glare technology.

RICH IN REFERRALS

“No-Glare has fit into our practice mission to provide the highest quality products and service to patients,” Dr. Sortor says. “When patients receive their new glasses with premium No-Glare, they see better, they look better, and they refer others, which has helped our practice grow. Word of mouth is our biggest referral source.”

In addition to word-of-mouth external marketing, habitual recommendation of No-Glare by doctors and staff members works as an internal marketing strategy.

“With each recommendation, we emphasize reduction of eyestrain due to glare and increased comfort and better vision, especially with nighttime driving,” she adds.

CONTACT LENS CONVERSATION

“When a contact lens wearer wants to purchase backup glasses, they often want the minimum, as the glasses would be a backup,” says Dr. Curcione.

“I talk about the benefits of getting a good pair with AR and other options as necessary,” she adds. “The patient is more likely to wear the glasses and give their eyes a needed break from contact lens wear.”

Additionally, “Dry eye patients who can't wear contact lenses fulltime need a good pair of glasses to alternate with contact lens wear,” she points out. “If they have a particularly dry period of days or weeks, they may need to wear their glasses for all that time, and I recommend No-Glare lenses.”

TOUGH CUSTOMERS

In addition to specialty contact lens and dry eye management, the practice also offers pediatric and development vision and vision therapy and rehabilitation services, as well as treatment of ocular disease and laser vision co-management.

“Thirty percent of our patients are under the age of 18,” Dr. Sortor says. “We promote a kids lens package with No-Glare, as more and more children are using computers and are exposed to glare in the classroom from whiteboards and fluorescent lights. And we like it for the cosmetic value; kids want to look good in their glasses!”