Wanna Know the Best State to Practice Optometry? (Spoiler: It’s NOT California)
Let’s be honest.
Choosing the best state to practice optometry used to be about licensing laws and population density. But if that’s all you’re thinking about, you’re doing it wrong.
Today, the smartest, most profitable optometrists are choosing where to practice AND how to monetize smarter — not harder.
Because here’s the kicker…
️ Even if you open in a dream city, if your business model sucks, you’ll be stressed, broke, and drowning in insurance BS.
What if I told you that the real secret weapon isn’t just geography — it’s recurring revenue?
BoomCloud™ and subscription-based care models are flipping the old-school “fee-for-service” model on its head — and it’s making ODs rich and patients loyal as hell.
Let’s dive into how location + memberships = unstoppable growth.
Texas or Florida? Nah, Try This Instead…
You’re an optometrist. You went to school forever, finally got that license, and now you’re staring at a map like a lost pirate:
“Where should I plant my flag? Which state will actually help me thrive?”
Let’s talk numbers :
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Oregon offers full scope of practice (laser procedures, baby!)
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Alaska pays optometrists an average of $168,790/year (BLS, 2024)
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Utah, Idaho, and North Carolina rank high for low OD saturation, fast growth, and high patient demand
But here’s the reality check :
If you rely solely on volume and insurance reimbursement, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Beverly Hills or Boise.
Your income still caps. Your stress still maxes.
But there’s another way…
“I Can’t Control Location… But I Can Control My Model!”
Let me tell you about Dr. Marcus Shaw.
He opened in a so-so city in Colorado. Not bad, not amazing. But he made one genius move that changed everything:
He partnered with BoomCloud™ to launch his vision membership program.
Now, instead of relying on insurance checks (that feel more like IOUs), he gets paid like clockwork every month.
His game plan?
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$30/month membership
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2 exams/year
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20% off lenses & specialty services
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Dry eye treatments included
Result?
He stacked MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) like a Netflix CEO.
Dr. Shaw’s BoomCloud™ Metrics:
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532 active members
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$36,000 MRR
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$432,000 ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue)
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Patients on the plan spent 3.6X more than non-members
He said:
“I don’t chase patients anymore. They chase us.”
Boom. THAT is the power of recurring revenue + patient loyalty.
What Really Makes a State the Best for Optometry?
It’s not just salary, population, or licensure. It’s this:
A state that lets you maximize revenue per patient while minimizing insurance dependence.
Top States by Criteria:
State | Why It Rocks |
---|---|
Utah | Pro-business laws, low OD saturation, cash-friendly patients |
Texas | High demand, growing metros, decent insurance mix |
North Carolina | Great demographics, retirement + tech migration |
Oregon | Full-scope care + forward-thinking legislature |
Florida | High volume, lots of retirees, perfect for memberships |
Ready to Build a Membership Empire?
If you’re serious about thriving — not surviving — then stop thinking in “per-visit” terms. Start thinking in MRR, ARR, and LTV (lifetime value).
Start a BoomCloud™ Membership Plan Today:
Here’s how to crush it:
Go to BoomCloudApps.com
Create your tiered membership (starter, premium, VIP vision club, whatever)
Include:
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1-2 exams/year
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Lens discounts
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Dry eye treatment packages
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Emergency visit access
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Cosmetic perks like blue light lenses or Ortho-K
Membership Math = Predictable Profits
Membership Patients vs. Traditional Patients:
Metric | Traditional | Membership |
---|---|---|
Avg. Spend/Year | $250–$300 | $750–$1,200+ |
Frequency | Every 18–24 months | Every 3–6 months |
Retention | ~40% | 85%+ |
Lifetime Value | ~$800 | $3,500+ |
Do the math. Even if you only get 300 members at $30/month, that’s $9,000 in monthly revenue — on autopilot.
BoomCloud™ Memberships: What’s Included?
Here’s a peek into what forward-thinking practices are offering their patients :
Membership Perks (Steal These Ideas!):
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✅ 2 comprehensive exams/year
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15–25% off lenses + frames
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Quarterly dry eye therapy sessions
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Discounts on eye drops and supplements
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Emergency exam access
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Text-based patient concierge
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Blue light, anti-fatigue lens upgrades
Why Insurance is the Real Enemy (Hot Take Alert )
Let’s call it what it is:
Insurance is a bloated, slow, outdated, profit-vaporizing middleman.
You do the work, they delay the pay. You play by the rules, they change the rules.
With memberships?
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You set the terms.
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You get paid up front.
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You build real value-based relationships with patients.
Case Study #2: From Burned Out to Booked Out
Dr. Hannah Lee in North Carolina opened her practice in late 2022. First year? Brutal. She fought with VSP. Patients ghosted after one visit.
Then she went rogue.
She launched a BoomCloud™ Gold Vision Club:
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$40/month
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1 wellness exam
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1 medical check-in
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25% off frames
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Priority scheduling
Within 6 months:
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386 members
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4.2X increase in per-patient spend
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+43% treatment plan acceptance
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$18K MRR
Now? She’s opening her second location.
Final Recap:
✅ Best state to practice optometry? The one where YOU control your revenue
✅ Launch a membership plan with BoomCloud™
✅ Watch your MRR + ARR explode
✅ Retain patients like crazy
✅ Stop chasing new leads — optimize revenue per patient
Want to Be the “Netflix of Optometry”?
Then stop thinking like a healthcare worker. Start thinking like a subscription boss.
Membership is the ultimate optometric cheat code:
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Predictable income
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Loyal patients
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Higher spend
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No insurance drama
With the right model — you can win in any state.
Even… New Jersey (okay, maybe not everywhere ).
Next Steps:
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Sign up at BoomCloudApps.com
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Build your plan
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Promote to existing patients
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Track your MRR, ARR, and smile like a boss
If you’re gonna practice optometry, practice profitably.
Your state? That’s just geography.
Your model? That’s your empire.