Sightview is transforming eyecare with the industry’s only all-in-one practice technology platform built exclusively for optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians. By combining EHR, practice management, billing, optical, ASC and patient engagement tools in one system, Sightview saves providers time, improves outcomes and strengthens performance at a time when efficiency has never mattered more.
We spoke with CEO Tycene Fritcher who shares how Sightview is working with providers to meet rising demands—and why innovation is key to creating sustainable, patient-centered practices.
How have provider expectations shifted in recent years?
What we’re seeing from eyecare providers is a push for efficiency, especially given their current challenges. We live in a consumer-driven world, and patients want a modern, digital-first experience. That’s pushing providers to adopt tools that their staff can easily manage without needing a marketing or IT degree. Reimbursements are shrinking, forcing many providers to rethink RCM tools and processes as they try to uncover cost savings and new revenue opportunities.
The aging population and talent shortage add more challenges. Older generations are living longer, with increasing rates of cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease. Myopia rates are climbing to almost double what they were a few decades ago, with a significant impact seen in younger generations. The shortage of providers, techs and opticians makes it harder for practices to keep up, and makes time and attention even more precious.
And of course, regulation and payer pressures are always there. CMS continues to raise the bar for MIPS reporting, and in eyecare, there’s the added challenge of managing both medical and vision insurance. Private equity activity is also increasing, with larger groups looking for scalable, integrated solutions that span the entire spectrum of eyecare, from optical to ophthalmology and surgery.
The bottom line: Providers today have more expectations placed on them than ever before. In return, they are increasingly seeking and demanding solutions that save time, improve patient care and boost revenue—all without burning them out.
What strategies can a forward-thinking eyecare practice employ?
Thriving practices are moving away from “this is how we’ve always done it” and embracing technology that makes their lives easier. They’re intentional about technology, and proactively adopt tools that make life easier for staff and patients both now and in the future. A big piece of that is automation. Billing, claims, documentation, MIPS reporting, patient reminders and optical inventory are all areas where forward-thinking practices are automating or outsourcing manual tasks to save time.
Another strategy is leaning on data. Practices are making smarter decisions about operations, patient flow and long-term growth with advanced analytics. Successful practices are using these insights to reimagine the entire patient journey. Simplified scheduling, text communication and modern payment options are no longer nice to have. A digital, personalized approach is the new standard as practices move beyond the status quo.
In what ways is Sightview redefining the patient and provider experience, and how are these tools tailored to the unique workflows in eyecare?
What makes Sightview unique is that we’re truly an all-in-one eyecare platform, and the only one currently exclusively focused on eyecare, and not multiple other specialties. We cover EHR, PM, optical inventory and sales, ASC module, billing, payments, compliance, patient communication and reporting, natively, all in one place—not bolted on with third-party tools. We’ve brought together some of the best technology in the eyecare industry and have unified them into one platform, bringing a truly best-in-breed solution to the market.
Since we’re hyper-focused only on eyecare, we know how these providers work, and our platform reflects their day-to-day workflows. This means efficiency. We’ve had users report that they can complete a full patient exam in just five clicks. That’s unheard of in this industry, but because we’ve designed the technology around the natural flow of an eyecare visit, providers aren’t forced to adapt to a generic EHR. For patients, the journey feels connected and seamless because it’s all part of one system.
Our goal is to give providers back their time. We’re helping practices work smarter, so they can spend less energy on manual tasks and more on delivering great care.
What are the economic benefits of innovation in eyecare, including the creation of new jobs and improvement of patient outcomes?
Eyecare providers are feeling squeezed by inflation, staff shortages and growing demand across all populations. Innovation is how practices boost revenue and become more sustainable.
In short, better workflows translate to better care. Automation in areas like billing, scheduling and intake can save staff hours every week. When providers aren’t drowning in admin work, they can deliver personalized attention to more patients. Tools like AI diagnostics and advanced imaging are also enabling earlier disease detection and treatment, leading to better outcomes and lower costs.
Along with advancing patient care, innovation is becoming a big draw for top-notch talent. The shortages of providers and administrative staff mean it’s becoming more challenging to find experienced professionals. Providers who aren’t innovating or investing in solutions that make their staff’s lives easier are making themselves less competitive in hiring and retaining staff.
Practices that invest in innovation have more efficient workflows, healthy cash flow and satisfied patients, enabling them to scale and offer a wider range of services. This also ensures their teams have a more balanced, rewarding work load.
How can eyecare practices overcome challenges related to outdated technology?
Many providers are hesitant to adopt new technology because they’re already stretched thin, but sticking with outdated or inefficient tools is the bigger risk. Trying to work with outdated tech slows staff down, harms patient satisfaction and limits practices’ ability to grow.
The first step is to audit your workflows. Where are you losing time or revenue? Where are errors happening? Where are staff or patients getting frustrated? Those pain points should guide your priority investments.
From there, start with quick wins. Things like automating billing, speeding up patient intake and streamlining documentation are areas that deliver fast ROI. It’s also important to choose solutions that are tailored to how your practice works. New technology should be built for eyecare and flexible enough to evolve as needs change—and your practice grows.
Finally, prioritize staff training and support. Even the best tools won’t deliver results if your team doesn’t feel confident using them.
At the end of the day, the eyecare practice that moves beyond legacy technology and adopt efficient, tailored solutions will be best positioned to tackle today’s challenges, grow and deliver higher-quality patient care.