How to Connect with Gen Z Patients So They Actually Say Yes

About this episode

Dr. Steve Vargo and Kayla Ashlee discuss how to effectively connect with Gen Z patients in optical practices.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo sits down with Kayla Ashlee for a fascinating conversation about one of the most misunderstood groups walking into today’s practices: Gen Z patients. Why are so many doctors and opticians struggling to connect with this generation? Steve and Kayla explore how Gen Z’s digital upbringing, constant access to information, and high sensitivity to inauthenticity are changing the way practices need to communicate. They unpack why traditional “doctor talk,” overexplaining, and product-heavy presentations often fall flat—and how these missteps can quietly lead to lower capture rates, weaker trust, and missed opportunities in the optical. This conversation goes far beyond generational stereotypes. It’s about learning how to communicate more clearly, guide more effectively, and create an experience that feels personal rather than transactional. Kayla shares practical insights on simplifying language, improving handoffs, asking better questions, and creating more customized optical experiences that resonate not only with Gen Z, but with patients across the board. Not fully confident in what your practice's numbers are telling you? It's time for a financial…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Steve Vargo

Guest: Kayla Ashlee

Topics covered

• Gen Z patients
• communication strategies
• optical practices
• digital upbringing
• patient experience

Keywords

• Gen Z
• patient communication
• optometry
• trust building
• customized experiences

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IDOC

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