Dr. Hayes Blog

Jerry Hayes, OD presents a variety of tips and tactics designed to
bring more dollars to your bottom line. You are invited to
comment on the topics we cover.

Sponsored by Red Tray Purchasing Alliance and HMI Buying Group.


Article Archives


 Advanced search


3 Questions Guaranteed To Increase Your Optical Sales

By Jerry Hayes OD | 8/25/2009 - 9:34 am

You Don’t Have To Be Pushy Or Twist Arms To Sell More Eyewear, You Just Have To Ask The Right Questions

One sure way to increase the amount of optical products you sell and dispense is to ask the right questions, at the right time.

Yet, many ODs are hesitant, even timid, when suggesting eyewear to patients because they don’t want to come across as pushy.

If that’s you,




Hot Topic: Is It Realistic For A Solo OD To Gross $1.2M?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 8/18/2009 - 8:07 am

Dear Readers,

I ended my Aug 3 blog post by asking: “Assuming the demand is there, is it realistic for a solo OD to perform 16 ‘complete exams’ per day at an average of $307 per patient and in the process, gross $1.2M?”

Here is a sampling of the feedback I received from ODs across the country who both think




OD Survey Results: Despite The ‘Great Recession’, Most Respondents Are Still Up The First Half Of 2009

By Jerry Hayes OD | 8/10/2009 - 11:44 am

Dear Readers,

Thanks again to everyone who responded to our Sixty Second Survey. To see the complete results, click here.

Comparing 2009 Production To 2008

The majority (58%) of OD practice owners who responded to our survey show increased revenues for the first six months of 2009 as compared to the same period for 2008.




$1.2 Million Realistic For A Solo OD?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 8/3/2009 - 2:45 pm

Dear Jerry,

I am in my thirteenth year as a solo practitioner in a rural part of southern Indiana. My town has four optometrists in various settings, plus a Wal-Mart Vision Center.

I see patients 35 hours per week and expect to gross $500,000 with a net of 35% in 2009.

I see possibly one private pay patient per day, with the rest being Medicare, Medicaid, VSP and EyeMed.

Here is my question: You frequently discuss the topic of Collected Gross Revenue without any qualifying information such as patient care hours, geographic location and insurance saturation.

I am trying to use your data to evaluate my practice, but