So, You Want to Open an Optometry Practice? Here’s What They Don’t Tell You.
Let’s talk about optometry practice start up costs – Let’s cut through the fluff—starting an optometry practice is EXPENSIVE.
You’ve got dreams of running your own office, setting your own hours, and finally breaking free from corporate chains… until you see the price tag.
Average cost to open an optometry practice? $300,000 – $500,000+.
Need top-tier equipment? That’ll be $100K+ just for a retinal scanner.
Want a great location? Hope you’ve got $50K+ for leasehold improvements.
And let’s not forget…
❌ Payroll for staff.
❌ Marketing to attract new patients.
❌ Inventory for your optical shop.
Feeling overwhelmed? Good. Because today, I’m going to show you how to launch & scale a profitable practice WITHOUT relying on insurance companies & inconsistent cash flow.
The secret? A patient membership plan.
Keep reading to learn how you can:
✅ Reduce financial risk with predictable recurring revenue (MRR & ARR).
✅ Increase optical sales & patient loyalty.
✅ Escape insurance dependence & take control of your revenue.
Let’s break it down.
The Hidden Costs of Starting an Optometry Practice
Meet Dr. Jessica Adams.
She spent eight years in school, $200K+ on student loans, and another $400K opening her dream optometry practice.
Everything seemed great—until she realized:
❌ Her overhead was INSANE.
❌ Insurance reimbursements were slow & unpredictable.
❌ Her optical shop wasn’t selling enough to stay profitable.
Dr. Adams was drowning in expenses and needed a way to generate predictable, recurring revenue. That’s when she discovered membership plans.
And everything changed.
Offer: What Does It Really Cost to Start an Optometry Practice?
Before we talk solutions, let’s break down the real costs of opening a practice.
Start-Up Costs Breakdown
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Leasehold Improvements | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Optometry Equipment | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Furniture & Fixtures | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Technology & Software | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Inventory (Frames, Lenses, etc.) | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Marketing & Branding | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Payroll for Staff (First 6 Months) | $75,000 – $150,000 |
| Legal & Licensing Fees | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Emergency Fund | $25,000+ |
Total: $300,000 – $500,000+ to launch a successful practice.
That’s a LOT of money—especially when you’re waiting for insurance reimbursements to trickle in months later.
Solution? Build a patient membership plan.
How a Membership Plan Creates Recurring Revenue & Stability
Instead of hoping patients return once a year and insurance companies actually pay you, you can:
✅ Offer a membership plan for $20-$50/month.
✅ Provide routine eye exams & discounts on frames/lenses.
✅ Generate predictable monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
Why This Works:
✔️ Patients without insurance get affordable care.
✔️ You get steady income—NO MORE insurance nightmares.
✔️ Members are 2X-4X more likely to buy glasses & contacts.
How much could you make?
If you sign up just 500 members at $30/month…
That’s $15,000/month in guaranteed revenue (MRR).
That’s $180,000/year in additional revenue (ARR).
And that’s BEFORE selling glasses, contacts, or additional treatments!
Want an easy way to manage memberships? Check out BoomCloud™ Click Here
How One Optometrist Added $500K in Recurring Revenue
Dr. Adams was struggling to cover overhead and getting crushed by insurance delays.
What She Did:
✔️ Launched a BoomCloud™ membership plan for uninsured patients.
✔️ Offered a 15% discount on frames & lenses for members.
✔️ Marketed the plan through direct mail & email campaigns.
Results in 12 Months:
1,800 patients joined her membership plan.
MRR hit $45,000/month.
ARR grew to $540,000/year.
Now, Dr. Adams has predictable, recurring revenue—and her practice is thriving.
Want the same results? Check out BoomCloud™
Final Thoughts: The Smartest Way to Fund & Scale Your Optometry Practice
Opening an optometry practice is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. But it doesn’t have to be a financial rollercoaster.
Here’s Your Action Plan to Reduce Risk & Increase Profitability:
Step 1: Analyze Your Costs & Create a Financial Plan.
Know exactly what you’ll spend before launching.
Step 2: Launch a Membership Plan to Create Predictable Cash Flow.
Sell recurring eye care memberships & boost optical sales.
Step 3: Use BoomCloud™ to Manage Your Membership Program.
Automate billing, renewals, and revenue tracking.
More revenue. More financial stability. Less stress.
Ready to build a membership plan that scales? Check out BoomCloud™ and start making your practice profitable & insurance-free.
Resources & Further Reading:
BoomCloudApps.com – The #1 tool for launching & managing optometry membership plans.
AOA (American Optometric Association) – Industry trends & insights on running a practice.
Vision Monday – Expert tips for growing a profitable optical business.
