As an optometrist who constantly searches for ways to drive her business forward, rise above the competition, and offer more complete care to her patients, Dr. Julie Helmus knew she wanted to add Avulux lens technology to her practice as soon as she learned about it. She had patients suffering from migraine and light sensitivity, but before Avulux, no available solutions were adequate. “The market was there,” she said, “but until now, we haven’t had anything to give them. Nothing.”
Approximately one billion people worldwide experience migraine, and 90% of migraine attacks are brought on by light sensitivity, according to The American Migraine Foundation. Unlike alternatives like FL-41 lenses or sunglasses, Avulux’s patented lens technology filters up to 97% of harmful blue, amber, and red light wavelengths and is clinically proven to help people whose migraine attacks are triggered or worsened by light.
Avulux Offers a Life-Changing Solution for Patients Experiencing Light Sensitivity
To say Avulux glasses have been effective for Dr. Helmus’ patients is an understatement. One patient who traveled 48 miles to see her and learn about Avulux, said,“The photophobia is so real for migraine sufferers who have auras and light sensitivity. For months I would do everything possible to resist walking into a department store or a grocery store. Now I’m not afraid of being outside in the sunshine or walking into stores, and that in and of itself is huge.”
Patients often assume that effective management of their migraine symptoms will be inconvenient or invasive, but Avulux lenses are neither. They have no negative side effects and are ideal for patients whose migraine attacks are triggered or worsened by light. Witnessing these patients finally experience long-awaited relief is a priceless experience.
Jessica is an optician in Dr. Helmus’ practice who has been a champion for Avulux since the beginning – for good reason. She explained that there’s no doubt in her mind that Avulux lenses work because as a lifelong migraine sufferer herself, she wears them and gets to experience the same things the patients do:
“It’s life-changing for anyone with light sensitivity. I believe in Avulux. I know it works.”
Avulux Represents Increased Revenue with Minimal Up-Front Investment
The fact that so many people suffer from migraine and light sensitivity makes offering Avulux lenses a smart business decision. Dr. Helmus estimates that as many as 10-15% of her patients may benefit from Avulux specialty lenses. To identify candidates in her practice, Dr. Helmus’ team of Medical Assistants use Avulux screening tools. “Simply asking patients ‘are you light sensitive?’ is inadequate; we empower our staff to dig deeper into the patient’s history using these tools. You’ll be surprised to find many have been suffering for years. Now we have an effective tool to ease their pain.”
Offering Avulux lenses requires minimal extra training for the doctors and optical staff. Dr. Helmus said the math makes it an easy value-add in a practice, both for patients seeking relief and for the bottom line of the business. “I’m always on the lookout for new profit centers for my private practice, and when I can improve my patients’ lives while increasing my bottom line — it’s a rewarding win-win.”
Avulux Helped Dr. Helmus Grow Her Practice Reputation
If the decision to bring Avulux eyewear into the practice is a function of effectiveness and profitability, then there’s also a third variable that Dr. Helmus credits as one of the core reasons that Avulux fits so well with her business model: Helping people living with migraine and light sensitivity get back to the activities they love strengthens the practice’s reputation in the community and provides a unique value proposition that her competition in the Davis, CA, area cannot compete with.
“These patients are insanely loyal and prolific in terms of spreading our name. I’ve never seen that. You don’t get that from myopia management. You really don’t. Relief from light sensitivity can make a world of difference in the lives of a huge number of patients, and as a result, it consistently drives patient referrals and differentiates your practice.”