Defocus Media Eyecare and Optometry Podcast Network

Persol has spent more than a century building a reputation for timeless Italian craftsmanship, authentic design, and a deep connection to cinema. This summer, those values come to life through one of New York City’s most iconic outdoor events. Beginning July 2 and continuing every Thursday through August, Persol will serve as the presenting sponsor of Movies With A View at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a free outdoor film series that has become a beloved summer tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike. During the Defocus Media podcast, Wesley Wu shared that the vision behind the activation extends far beyond traditional sponsorship. The goal, he explained, is to bring “a slice of Italy” to Brooklyn and create an experience that attendees will never forget. Rather than simply showcasing the Persol name, the event has been thoughtfully designed to immerse guests in the brand’s heritage through interactive photo opportunities, giveaways, games, branded refreshments, picnic-inspired experiences, and other activations that celebrate Italian culture and craftsmanship. Every touchpoint reflects the same attention to detail found in every handmade pair of Persol eyewear. The partnership also represents a natural extension of Persol’s longstanding relationship with cinema. According to the accompanying announcement, the activation draws inspiration from Persol’s Spring/Summer 2026 campaign while celebrating the brand’s historic presence in film. For decades, Persol eyewear has been worn by legendary actors including Marcello Mastroianni, Steve McQueen, and Jude Law, reinforcing the brand’s reputation as an icon of cinematic style. As Wu explained during the podcast, Persol and the film industry share the same core values—craftsmanship, authenticity, creativity, and storytelling—making Movies With A View the ideal stage to celebrate both the brand’s heritage and its future. Whether you’re an eyewear enthusiast, an eye care professional, a fan of Italian design, or simply searching for one of the best free summer events in New York City, Persol’s Movies With A View activation offers a unique opportunity to experience the brand beyond the optical shop. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Brooklyn waterfront, attendees will discover why Persol has remained one of the world’s most respected luxury eyewear brands for more than 100 years—through memorable experiences, meaningful storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

As optometry continues to evolve, doctors have more opportunities than ever to specialize, adopt new technologies, and collaborate with industry, but lasting success is built on something far more important than equipment or titles: trust. During a conversation recorded at the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) conference, Dr. Harbir Sian, Dr. Julian Prosia, and Dr. Kulvir Singh discussed the importance of evidence-based decision-making, ethical industry partnerships, and the power of OD-to-OD collaboration. They emphasized that putting patients first, seeking unbiased advice before making major investments, and building strong relationships with colleagues ultimately lead to better outcomes for both patients and practices. Topics Covered : Put Patients Before ProfitsCollaboration Beats CompetitionBe Careful with Big InvestmentsBuild Relationships, Not Transactions Put Patients Before Profits As technology and specialty care continue to evolve, optometrists are faced with more choices than ever. But regardless of reimbursement, equipment investments, or industry relationships, one principle should remain constant: do what is best for the patient. The panel emphasized that clinical decisions should be driven by evidence and outcomes—not by the need to justify a purchase or maximize revenue. Patient-first care ultimately creates stronger practices and better long-term success. Collaboration Beats Competition One of the biggest themes of the discussion was the importance of OD-to-OD referrals. No doctor can do everything, and that is okay. When practitioners collaborate and refer patients to trusted colleagues, everyone benefits. Patients receive the best care possible, trust grows, and the profession becomes stronger. Whether it’s dry eye, myopia management, specialty lenses, or surgical co-management, building relationships with colleagues creates better outcomes than trying to do everything alone. As Dr. Kulvir Singh noted, “There’s not much competition at the top—it’s always at the bottom.” Be Careful with Big Investments New technologies can be exciting, but expensive equipment should never be purchased based solely on sales promises. Before investing, doctors should seek unbiased opinions from colleagues who have firsthand experience using the device. Evidence matters. Independent studies, real-world outcomes, and conversations with trusted peers provide far more value than marketing materials alone. A machine that sits unused becomes an expensive piece of furniture. Build Relationships, Not Transactions Industry partnerships can be valuable when they focus on education and improving patient care. Companies that invest in doctors and provide meaningful support create lasting relationships rather than simple transactions. Likewise, attending meetings and conferences allows practitioners to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and learn from one another. Those relationships often become some of the most valuable assets throughout a career.

Key Takeaways * Teem virtual assistant services for optometrists improve scheduling, patient communication, and follow-up consistency across multiple locations * A virtual assistant in optometry reduces staffing costs by over $20,000 per role compared to full-time, in-office team members * The real growth opportunity in optometry is operational; the money is in the phones, where virtual assistants capture missed calls and convert more patient appointments Dr. Monica Miller, Optometrist and Multiple Practice Owner Virtual assistants in optometry are becoming a critical solution for practices looking to scale across multiple locations without increasing operational complexity. For optometrists managing growth, the challenge is not clinical care, it is maintaining consistency in scheduling, communication, and patient flow. In this conversation with Dr. Adam Ramsey and Dr. Monica Miller, a clear theme emerges: growth does not break practices; systems do. As practices expand, operational gaps surface, and without structure, they lead to inefficiencies and lost revenue. This is where virtual assistant services for optometrists begin to play a critical role by creating systems that support scalability, consistency, and performance. In Partnership with Teem Table of ContentsWhat Broke First When Scaling Multiple LocationsBuilding a System That Can Scale Across LocationsCreating Consistency Across the Patient JourneyThe Financial Reality of Virtual Assistants in OptometryHow to Implement Virtual Assistants in a Multi-Location Optometry PracticeFinal ThoughtsCall to Action What Broke First When Scaling Multiple Locations As optometrists expand from one location to multiple, the first breakdown is rarely clinical. It is operational. Phones go unanswered. Scheduling becomes inconsistent. Follow-ups are missed. Each location begins to operate differently, creating variability in the patient experience. Many practices respond by hiring more in-office staff, but this often increases cost without solving the root issue. The real problem is a lack of structure. Virtual assistants in optometry are beginning to address this by creating consistency in the areas where breakdowns most frequently occur. Building a System That Can Scale Across Locations Once workflows became clearly defined, the role of virtual assistants began to take shape across all locations. Scheduling became more structured, patient communication more intentional, and follow-ups more dependable. With support from Teem virtual assistants, these processes were no longer dependent on individual staff members. Instead,

Myopia management, also known as myopia control, has rapidly evolved from a niche specialty into one of the most important areas of modern pediatric eye care. Yet despite advances in research and treatment, misconceptions continue to influence conversations between doctors and families. Many parents still believe worsening nearsightedness is simply inherited, while some clinicians remain uncertain about axial length monitoring, spectacle therapies, and lifestyle recommendations. As childhood myopia rates continue to rise worldwide, separating fact from fiction has never been more important. In Partnership with CooperVision In this Defocus Media MythBusters episode, Dr. Jennifer Lyerly welcomes Dr. Justin Kwan, Head of Myopia Management at CooperVision, to tackle the most common myths surrounding childhood myopia and provide evidence-based strategies every optometrist can use in clinical practice. Dr. Justin Kwan, Myopia Management Expert Table of ContentsWhat Is Myopia Management?Myth #1: “Myopia is Just Genetics”Myth #2: “Screens and Video Games Are Causing Myopia”Myth #3: “The Prescription Changed, So Myopia Control Isn’t Working”Myth #4: “Can’t My Child Just Get LASIK Later?”Myth #5: “My Child Is Too Young for Contact Lenses”Myth #6: “You Need Axial Length Measurements to Practice Myopia Management”Myth #7: “Progressive or Anti-Fatigue Glasses Are Effective Myopia Control Treatments”Myth #8: “Axial Length Always Changes Before Prescription Changes”Myth #9: “The 20/20/20 Rule Prevents Myopia”Myth #10: “Apple Screen Distance Alerts Are Enough for Myopia Control”How Can Optometrists Explain Myopia Management to Parents?Where Can Doctors Learn More About Myopia Management? What Is Myopia Management? Myopia management, or myopia control, refers to evidence-based treatments designed to slow childhood myopia progression by reducing excessive axial elongation and lowering the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy associated with high myopia. Rather than simply prescribing stronger glasses every year, modern myopia management focuses on preserving lifelong ocular health through early intervention. Myth #1: “Myopia is Just Genetics” Perhaps the most common misconception parents express is that childhood myopia is inevitable because one or both parents are nearsighted.