NEW YORK—Three innovative independent optometry innovators will discuss the ways they are bringing new ideas to vision care retail and office environments. They'll share best ways to address today’s customers and patients who expect easy, seamless interactions, speedier, more convenient service and new experiences in both retail and health care environments. Brief presentations and a conversation among the three practices will be a featured highlight of Vision Monday's Sept. 18 VM LIVE forum, "Smart Solutions at the Speed of Sight," to be held just prior to the opening of Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.

Another element of the VM LIVE program will be two experienced optical speakers who are embracing new digital telehealth technologies to guide the patient experience. The event will be held at the Sands Convention Center on Wednesday Sept. 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and registration is now open.

These experienced practitioners are modernizing the customer and patient experience. They include Bimal Patel, OD, founder of Focus Refined Eye Care in Houston, Texas. Dr. Patel, a native Houstonian, is in tune with the latest in eyecare technology and fashion eyewear trends. He opened Focus nearly four years ago in the heart of the Montrose District—Houston's major cultural center and destination.

He will join co-founders Kyly Zak Rabin and Myles Zakheim, OD, of Los Angeles-based Zak. Just opened this year, Zak is described by its co-founders as "a 21st century approach to eyecare and eyewear. We streamline the traditionally fragmented process to provide a seamless, one-stop experience that is affordable without compromising quality. We believe in eyecare done better: comprehensive, aesthetic and educational. Our ethos, design, culture, products and services are created and presented to encourage all people to consider their eyes."

Dr. Zakheim is also the founder of Optometrix and has been in private practice in L.A. for over 35 years, with offices in Brentwood, Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

Rounding out the conversation will be the other speakers Perry Brill and Dr. Raymond Brill, Brill Eye Center Kansas City, Kan. The pair take a '"modern" approach to dispensing and embrace a strong, patient-centric focus in their two locations. Perry Brill began his opticianry career in 2012 while attending college at the University of Kansas and obtaining a B.S. in Environmental Studies.

Raymond J. Brill, OD, is a private practice "disruptive innovator" at Brill Eye Center, which he founded in 198, Dr. Brill and Perry Brill are co-hosts of "Eyetrepreneur" a new podcast series and social media platform developed to create enthusiasm and highlight new concepts in eyecare.

Then, sharing views about telehealth's potential in eyecare and how such new technologies can build bridges from the ECP to their patients, will be Daniel Stanton, CEO of Now Optics, whose retail divisions include Stanton Optical and MyEyelab, which have been offering ocular telehealth exams since 2016. Since that time, Now Optics affiliate locations have administered over 580,000 complete eye exams nationwide.

Joining him will be Paul Super, OD, FAAO, of EyeSite Optometric Group, with two locations in L.A. A long-time practicing optometrist, Dr. Super is also a co-founder of EyeCareLive, a telehealth platform which has been using technology combined with eyecare expertise to change the way ODs and MDs work with patients.

"Today's consumers want retailers, ECPs and brands to meet them on their own terms, and in multiple channels… brick, click and more," noted Marge Axelrad, SVP/editorial director of Vision Monday. "VM LIVE is an opportunity for attendees to learn from optical innovators and influential branding experts who are developing creative ideas and digital tools to build customer loyalty, drive engagement and grow sales."

The Platinum sponsor for September's VM LIVE is CareCredit, a division of Synchrony Financial

Details about tickets and how to reserve seats are posted on the VM LIVE registration site.