Clear Vision, Personal Care

INSIDE THE JOURNEY OF AN INDEPENDENT OPTOMETRY PRACTICE

Lookbook sits down with Sam and Carla Schneider of Monocle Optometry in Fremantle Western Australia, to discuss their practice and how they care for their patients. With Sam and Carla Schneider.

LookBook: Can you tell us about the history of your practice? How did it all begin? MO: We are husband and wife optometrists that decided we wanted our own space to do things right. We had practised for 7 years in Perth and then decided it was time to open our own practice so we could offer proper eyecare and quality products.

LookBook: What inspired you to pursue a career in optometry and eventually open your own practice?

MO: We always worked with the public, enjoyed healthcare and fashion, and this works as a good mix between all of that. We disliked KPI's and time crunch from corporate optometry, and we saw what better selection of frames and lenses independent optometry could have. We also had worked in some independent practices and thought there was certainly some room for improvement!

LookBook: What sets your practice apart from others in the area? What makes it special?

MO: We take 1 hour for appointments as we don’t want to rush things. We have some brands that no one in Perth has and we use Rodenstock's DNEye scanner to help make the clearest lenses possible (only 5 practices in WA have one)

LookBook: How has your practice evolved over the years, and what changes have you implemented to improve patient care?

MO: We continue to grow from word of mouth as people describe the experience here as very different than anything prior.

LookBook: What do you enjoy most about running an independent optometry practice?

MO: Being able to take the time to do things properly, have access to great products, and just treat people nicely!

LookBook: What technologies or equipment do you use to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments?

MO: Heidelberg Spectralis OCT, regarded as the best OCT on the market currently, and Rodenstock DNEye scanner.

LookBook: What brands of eyewear do you stock at your practice, and how do you choose which brands to offer?

MO: We offer handmade, unique, quality eyewear, with brands like FaceAFace Paris, Fendi, Wildgruber, Paul Smith, Maui Jim, and so many others.

LookBook: Can you highlight any specific eyewear brands that are particularly popular with your patients or that you personally recommend?

MO: FaceAFace is always a show stopper, sells very well. Also really cool and unique to us is Veronika Wildgruber.

LookBook: How do you balance offering fashionable eyewear with ensuring that the products you stock meet high standards of quality and functionality?

MO: We're lucky that most people coming in want quality eyewear so it's never been an issue.

LookBook: Why is your work as an optometrist meaningful to you?

MO: We have the opportunity to improve people's quality of life.

LookBook: Can you share a memorable experience or story where you felt you made a significant impact on a patient’s life?

MO: I found a plaque in a fellow's eye, and once he had a carotid doppler done, his carotid artery was 99% blocked, and he was at a very high risk of having a stroke. This finding in theory may have saved his life.

LookBook: What do you find most rewarding about helping patients with their eye health and vision needs?

MO: Offering solutions they never knew existed such as contact lenses or specialised surgical procedures.

LookBook: What are your goals for the future of your practice? Are there any new services or expansions on the horizon?

MO: We'd like to get Topography and offer Ortho K and RGP fitting.

LookBook: How do you see the field of optometry evolving in the coming years, and how is your practice preparing for those changes?

MO: AI is likely going to be interpreting scans to aid with diagnoses. We’re not doing anything differently currently. Just aware of the fact.

LookBook: What advice would you give to someone considering opening their own independent optometry practice?

MO: Do it, it's worth it for the autonomy, and optometry as a profession can be difficult to progress in as an employee in a corporate environment. You reach a ceiling quite quickly.

LookBook: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about your practice, your team, or your approach to eye care?

MO: We love what we do. Treat yourself to proper eyecare and fall in love with eyewear.

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