It seems like it took forever to get here, but we’ve finally reached the point where most areas of the country have lifted nearly all COVID restrictions. Even foreign travel is beginning to open up!  There is palpable excitement in the air – it seems everyone has something special planned in the near future.

Although the pandemic was economically hard for many of us, it was a financial boon to others due to a combination of stimulus checks and forced savings because of limitations imposed by restrictions and inaccessibility. Now that patients are eager to return to activities they have been missing out on and are more than willing to pay for those activities, it’s our duty to make sure that nothing related to their eyes, vision or eyewear limits their enjoyment.  

Conversation Starters for Special Events

At least for the next several months, spend an extra minute with each patient to ask if they have something special coming up now that we’re returning to normal. You’ll find that most of them do. This is an excellent segue for discussing any or all of the following:

• Vacations 
  • “Let’s update your prescription so you can be as safe as possible and also enjoy seeing every detail during your trip!”
  • “Do you have backup eyewear in case of loss or breakage while you’re away?”
  • “Do you have (good quality or prescription) sunglasses to wear on the trip?”
  • “Wouldn’t it be nice to have new contact lenses every day and not worry about carrying solutions and cleaning contact lenses?”
• Special events such as weddings and other celebrations
  • “Wouldn’t you like to look your best for the special event with a new frame?”
  • “Would you like to try wearing contact lenses instead of glasses?”
• Back to work or school
  • “Wouldn’t you like a new look with a new frame when you return?”
  • “Did you spend more time with screens during the pandemic?  Would you be interested in eyewear that is safer and provides more comfortable vision during heavy screen usage?”

This is truly a unique time in all of our lives which presents both obstacles and opportunities.  Taking the time to have this discussion with your patients now is sure to prove mutually beneficial.   If you don’t think you have the time to have this discussion with your patients, tune in next week for some time-saving efficiency tips.