Patient Recall Service for Optometry: How to Keep Patients Coming Back (and Spending 4X More)

August 21, 2025
Topics: Vision
Written by: Lisa Rasmussen

If your “patient recall system” is a stack of postcards gathering dust in the front desk drawer, I’ve got bad news…

You’re bleeding revenue.

Here’s the truth:

  • Most optometry practices lose 20–40% of patients every year simply because they forget to rebook.

  • It costs 5–7x more to get a new patient than to keep one you already have.

  • And yet… most practices still treat recall like a side chore instead of a profit-driving machine.

What if your recall strategy didn’t just get patients back in the chair, but also increased revenue per visit by 2–4x?

The secret: combining a patient recall service with a membership program.


Story: Dr. Emily’s “No More Empty Calendar” Breakthrough

Dr. Emily ran a busy suburban optometry practice. Business was good — except for one nagging problem:

Her schedule was full-ish.

A few no-shows here. A few “I’ll call you when I’m ready” patients there. And a lot of patients simply vanishing after their yearly exam.

Her recall process?

  • A single email reminder.

  • A few phone calls.

  • No consistent follow-up system.


The Change ️

She switched to a patient recall service that was fully integrated with BoomCloud™ and used it to not just remind patients… but enroll them into a membership program that guaranteed they’d come back.

The new system:

  • Automated reminders by text, email, and phone

  • “Members get VIP recall priority” messaging in every touchpoint

  • Exclusive membership perks in every recall email (discounts, free cleanings, early access to frame lines)

  • Easy online booking linked directly from the reminder


The Results (First 12 Months)

  • Patient recall rate jumped from 52% to 89%

  • Membership enrollment hit 43% of active patients

  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): $28,000

  • Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $336,000

  • Membership patients spent 3.6x more than non-members

  • Average revenue per patient increased by 72%


Recall Alone Isn’t Enough — You Need Loyalty-Built In

A patient recall service is great… but it’s reactive. It’s saying, “Hey, don’t forget us.”

A membership program makes it proactive: “You’ve already paid, and you get perks every time you come in, so let’s book your next appointment now.”

Think about it:

  • Patients in a membership plan plan ahead

  • They’re more consistent with visits

  • They spend more per visit (frames, lenses, specialty care)

  • They become long-term advocates for your practice

Fact: Membership patients spend 2–4x more annually than non-members.
Fact: Increasing retention by just 5% can boost profits by 25–95% (Bain & Company).


How to Combine Patient Recall Service + Membership for Maximum Impact

1️⃣ Automate Multi-Channel Recall

  • Email + SMS + phone reminders = higher response rate

  • Include direct booking links in every reminder

  • Add a “Member Priority Scheduling” tag for urgency


2️⃣ Use Recall Touchpoints to Sell Membership

Example email:

Subject: “Your Eyes Deserve VIP Care — Book Today”

Body: “As a Vision Club member, you get priority scheduling, exclusive discounts, and free annual frame cleanings. Don’t miss out — book your next appointment today.”


3️⃣ Track Revenue Per Patient (RPP)

BoomCloud™ analytics let you measure exactly how much more members are worth compared to non-members — and use that data to optimize offers.


4️⃣ Turn Every Visit into a Future Booking

Before the patient leaves, your team should:

  • Pre-book their next visit

  • Show how their membership benefits apply to future appointments

  • Offer a small bonus for booking early (lens cleaner, microfiber cloth, etc.)


Case Study: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Metric Before Recall Service + Membership After Integration
Recall Rate 52% 89%
MRR $0 $28,000
ARR $0 $336,000
Avg. Spend per Patient $340 $1,230
Membership Enrollment 0% 43%

Why It Worked:

  • Automated recall reduced no-shows and gaps

  • Membership made visits “automatic” for patients

  • Increased patient spend by promoting upgrades & extras


Fun, Edgy Recall + Membership Marketing Ideas

  • VIP Recall Contest → Every member who books within 24 hours of a recall message is entered to win a pair of designer sunglasses.

  • Membership-Only Flash Sales → Send a recall email announcing a 48-hour frame sale just for members.

  • Seasonal Reminders with Personality → “Fall into better vision — book your check-up before pumpkin spice season is over.”

  • Family Recall Bundles ‍‍ → Offer group appointment scheduling for family memberships.


Why This Works in Any Economy

When people are part of a membership program, their mindset changes:

  • It’s not “Do I want to spend money on an exam?”

  • It’s “I’ve already paid for this, I should use it.”

That’s why pairing a patient recall service with a membership program:

  • Keeps visits consistent even in slow seasons

  • Increases loyalty and referrals

  • Creates predictable, recurring revenue


Stop Leaving Recall Revenue on the Table

If you want:

  • A patient recall service that keeps your schedule full

  • A membership program that boosts revenue per patient

  • Automation that saves your staff hours every week

…then BoomCloud™ has the tech and templates to make it happen.


The Bottom Line

Patient recall service for optometry is important — but it’s only half the battle.

Combine recall automation with a membership program, and you’ll:

  • Boost recall rates

  • Increase patient spend

  • Build loyalty that lasts years, not visits


Your Resources to Get Started:

My Top Podcasts

How Smart Practice Owners Attract, Retain & Create Recurring Revenue

Get the book that’s helping over 65,000  practices ditch insurance, boost cash flow, and create financial freedom with a patient membership program.

Membership Plans For Optometrists

vision-membership-plan-ebook Creating a patient membership plan is the smartest strategy to implement in your practice. You will increase patient satisfaction & loyalty, Increase predictable recurring revenue & increase sales!

Fire The PPOs!

Say goodbye to PPOs and hello to a thriving, independent dental practice. Don’t miss out – your journey to financial freedom starts here!

Subscribe to Our Podcasts!

Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. This helps practice & clinic owners to create recurring revenue & improve loyalty via membership programs. Jordon is passionate about Music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas. Schedule a demo of BoomCloud™ and learn how membership programs can improve your business. Here are more dental books to improve your practice

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