RICHARDSON, Texas—Texas State Optical is debuting a new store model in a recently opened optometric office here. The office, which is owned by Valenta Carter, OD, is the first example of a new store concept for TSO, which secured the location, designed the office and provided a turnkey program of inventory, exam equipment and standard operating procedures, the company said in a statement. The new office design is open, contemporary, has no front desk and utilizes iPads instead of desktop computers for working with patients. The design was developed in conjunction with Eye Designs.

All of the preliminary exam and exam equipment are digital and from Carl Zeiss Vision and Carl Zeiss Meditec with all instruments communicating with each other and interfacing with Eyefinity's cloud based EHR and PMS office system.

Earlier this year, Texas State Optical and Zeiss Vision formed a partnership which includes prescription lens production, stock lenses, equipment and education, and training platforms. The integration with the new Richardson office launches the first “full Zeiss, patient experience,” according to TSO.

John D. Marvin, president and CEO of TSO, Inc. said, "This new approach to helping young, professional optometrists own and operate their own practice provides a friction free process for opening and assures the doctor that they are in a great location, in an office designed to maximize both patient experience and profits. We take all of the hassle out of starting your own practice and do so using expertise otherwise unavailable to a young optometrist."

Marvin said that TSO, Inc. has plans to open more offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area using this model, and also has expansion plans for San Antonio.