Every industry was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly pivoted to provide services in a safe and touchless way. This was a big challenge for the eye care industry, given that the industry hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years. However, My Eyelab has been providing telehealth eye exams since 2016 and believes this was the push the industry needed to provide its patients a modern way of visiting the eye doctor using telehealth technology.
My Eyelab was the first vision care provider to break through the industry norms. With an early vision, My Eyelab developed their own proprietary telehealth software technology to deliver a more convenient, affordable and efficient exam process to patients.
Now a year and a half into using this technology, the question on many people’s minds is– has telehealth gone mainstream? The short answer is yes, and many factors lead to this conclusion.
THE CHANGE IN POLICY
The initial COVID-19 spike allowed for some changes to be made in telehealth throughout the U.S. Many providers, such as Aetna, allowed telehealth to be covered under insurance to enable patients to see doctors during the pandemic. Many of those policy changes have been adopted, and others may become permanent if patients and physicians continue to offer telehealth. Another model being adapted is a hybrid health plan allowing for in-person and remote visits with your doctor.
TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS
Since April of 2020, telehealth has been adopted by about 17 percent of all outpatient/office visit clinics, according to McKinsey & Company telehealth analysis. My Eyelab’s telehealth technology gives patients the option to receive a personalized eye care treatment plan and prescription with minimal in-person interaction and without a doctor being physically present. Through the technology and redesigned equipment, a technician captures all the needed measurements, and then a board-certified, state-licensed doctor reviews the results and provides the patient’s prescription digitally. From there, the patient can pick from a vast selection of frames and contact lenses.
IMPROVED BUSINESS MODEL
Close to 75 percent of Americans need corrective eyewear, and with that kind of demand comes the need to continuously innovate and improve the My Eyelab brand and its services. This new telehealth business model has allowed eye doctors and technicians to keep their jobs and allowed franchisees to stay in business during the pandemic, all while keeping everyone safe.
SIMPLIFIED EXPERIENCE FOR CONSUMERS
At My Eyelab, the eye exam experience is easy and efficient. A national network of eye doctors is available at any time to review patient charts and provide prescriptions remotely, combined with an in-person pre-test led by in-store trained patient coordinators. This allows My Eyelab to provide comprehensive eye exams from open to close, not just when convenient for the doctor but when necessary for the patient.
ATTRACTIVE TO FRANCHISEES
The technological advancements of telehealth have made eye exam experiences faster, affordable, convenient and safe in all atmospheres. My Eyelab is leading the industry by creating an eye care retail future for its customers that aligns with modern-day trends and provides its franchisee with a business model to survive any climate. Access to eye care is an essential service for millions of people, and My Eyelab wants to be at the forefront to provide the best services possible for its patients and franchisees.
Many businesses completely shut down during the pandemic, and many are still facing the harsh impacts caused by COVID-19. Now is the time for innovation. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to jump back into business, My Eyelab’s business model has proven to be recession-resistant, thanks to its telehealth technology.
