“ If we imagine eye care as a spectrum , with traditional retail services on the left and medical care on the right , most eye care professionals ( ECPs ) will fall to the left side of the range ,” explained optometrist Aaron Aussie .

“ Optometrists can now help fill in the gaps created by changes in health care today . With increasing market competition , technological advancement in health care and an ageing population , the average optometrist needs to move further towards the right spectrum of medical care rather than just pure retail services now .”

Aussie and his wife , an optometrist , co-founded Flexzoom Optometrist on Apr 2 , 1990 , in Johor Bahru , Johor .

“ For the past 32 years , we have been a group of qualified optometrists providing primary eye care services and knowledgerelated products to the retail market . Under our Flexzoom group , we have a total of 12 optometrists .”

Differentiating from competitors

“ Many optometry shops are opening up , which results in heavy market competition . ECPs need to differentiate themselves to sustain themselves .”

He believes that by investing in the latest diagnostic equipment , ECPs can provide an added-value service which can be advantageous for their business and beneficial for the public .

“ When ECPs identify themselves as a primary eye care service provider , it is not just about regular ordinary eye examinations , but involves a lot of complex and advanced technological instruments .

“ Practitioners must be willing to invest in these instruments because consumers also demand quality healthcare services .

Practitioners need to acknowledge the value of technology and how it brings value to communities .

“ Big optometric practices have always been investing heavily in innovations of instrumentation . However , in recent times smaller companies are following suit .”

Building consumer satisfaction

“ At Flexzoom , we practice medical care as our primary service , with the retail secondary . With the technology of the equipment mentioned , we have the necessary instruments to provide bespoke care for our patients while being the first pit stop before visiting an ophthalmologist .

“ We believe we can ultimately ensure our success by meeting our customer ’ s needs for quality products and superior service .”

He added that using the latest and enhanced instrumentations during the eye examination has further increased consumer confidence and positive impression .

Finally , with technology , various demonstrations or even 3D demonstrations can elevate the understanding of the consumer to lead them to make the right choice of lenses , frames or even contact lenses .

“ They feel satisfied and assured of their decision to make the first visit to

From Left : Jacyln Thye , Paulvinne Tan , Nincy , Aaron Aussie and Siah Wei Ruh .

Medmont E300 Cornea Topographer .

an optometry practice and undergo the examinations ,” said Aussie .

A comprehensive eye health centre

Apart from being a primary eye care centre , Flexzoom , he shared , has been selected as the myopia management centre for the southern region of Malaysia . “ We will bring in two more machines next year and start working on myopia management .”

Flexzoom is the Eye Health Centre by Johnson & Johnson ( J & J ) Vision Care in Johor Bahru .

“ Regarding technology , J & J Vision Care provides us with their online ordering system for ECPs , the My Acuvue app , and their AR virtual try-on service for coloured contact lenses . This further amplifies our customer experience and provides an even better visualisation when deciding between J & J products .

He continued : “ Innovation wise , J & J are the early innovators of daily disposable lenses such as the Acuvue Oasys with a hydroluxe technology ; Acuvue one day astigmatism ; Acuvue multifocal and one day define lenses .

“ As for reusable disposable lenses , they provide a variety of Acuvue Oasys with hydroclear plus ( two weeks ); Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism ( two weeks ); Acuvue Vita ( one month ); and Acuvue Vita for astigmatism ( one month ).

“ By offering specialised lenses for people with astigmatism and myopia , hyperopia and presbyopia , the wide range of Acuvue contact lenses allows us to provide better eye care to our patients and customers ,” said Aussie . – The Health