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Eye exams are complex. You measure visual acuity, check intraocular pressure, document refraction data, manage contact lens trials, and still find time to talk to the patient in your chair. Regular medical software doesn’t grasp any of this. It wasn’t designed for the flow of an optometry practice.
That’s why optometry-specific EHR systems exist. They know what a comprehensive exam looks like. They understand vision insurance quirks that drive your billing staff crazy. They connect to your autorefractor, your fundus camera, and your OCT machine without forcing you to manually type numbers from one screen into another.
The question isn’t whether you need optometry software. The question is which one fits your practice. Some platforms obsess over clinical charting. Others focus on patient communication. A few try to do everything under one roof. Here’s what you need to know about 12 systems competing for your attention.
Solutionreach
Solutionreach isn’t actually an EHR. Let’s get that out of the way first. What it does is handle everything that happens before and after the exam itself. Patient communication, appointment reminders, recall campaigns, reputation management, and online scheduling.
The platform integrates with over 400 practice management and EHR systems. So you keep your clinical software, but add Solutionreach to handle the engagement side. Think of it as your front desk on autopilot. Patients get text reminders about appointments. They get nudged when they’re overdue for an exam. They can confirm via text instead of calling your staff.
Optometry practices use it to send notifications when glasses are ready for pickup. The company recently launched a Secure Documents tool specifically to help with FTC Eyeglass Rule compliance, which requires you to provide prescription copies to patients automatically. For practices drowning in phone calls and no-shows, Solutionreach addresses a real pain point. Just don’t expect it to chart your exams.
RevolutionEHR
RevolutionEHR bills itself as built by ODs for ODs, and the specialty focus shows. Over 13,000 eye care professionals use the platform, with a 97% retention rate that suggests people don’t leave once they’re on board.
Cloud-based access means you can pull up charts from anywhere. Multi-location practices especially appreciate this since patient data follows them across sites without complicated server setups. The RevEngage module handles patient communication through two-way texting and automated reminders. RevIntake manages scheduling. Everything connects to a single patient dashboard.
Where RevolutionEHR shines is in integrating diagnostic equipment. It connects with nearly every major brand of ophthalmic equipment and pulls data directly into patient charts. There’s no need to squint at printouts or enter autorefraction results manually.
Users often commend the customer support provided by people who truly understand optometry. On the downside, some find the interface outdated. Others note that there is a steep learning curve during implementation. However, for practices seeking reliable optometry-specific workflows, it’s hard to overlook over twenty years of refinement.
Eyefinity Encompass
Eyefinity is a VSP Vision company, which is important for VSP providers. The platform gathers insurance eligibility and authorizations up to seven days before appointments. This feature saves your staff a lot of time at check-in. VSP claims can be submitted directly through the system, providing real-time status updates.
The newly unified Eyefinity Encompass platform brings together practice management, EHR, patient engagement, and analytics into what the company calls its “core four” functionality. Cloud-based, accessible anywhere, with SOC 2 Type 2 certification for security. That last part matters more than it used to, given how often healthcare practices get targeted by ransomware.
Clinical charting includes exam protocols you can customize by visit type. The contact lens dropdown learns your prescribing preferences over time, reducing clicks for frequently ordered brands. Image management pulls diagnostic images directly into charts with annotation tools.
Eyefinity claims more independent optometry practices use its software than any competitor. Given VSP’s market position in vision insurance, the tight integration makes sense for providers in that network. Outside of VSP, the advantages are less pronounced.
Eye Cloud Pro
Eye Cloud Pro was built by optometrists, opticians, and optical retailers working together. The all-in-one approach combines EHR, practice management, and point-of-sale into a single cloud platform. No juggling separate systems. No wondering if your optical inventory syncs with your patient records.
The platform is especially attractive to smaller practices or those moving from server-based systems. Users often say it is simple and easy to learn. One optometrist noted that they finally switched from paper charts to EHRs after struggling with other EHRs several times.
Point-of-sale integration means your dispensary and clinical sides communicate with each other automatically. When you order glasses, the inventory updates. If you process a contact lens sale, it connects to the patient record. Two-way texting and automated reminders come included instead of needing separate services.
Honest criticism: Some users find the EHR portion less robust than competitors. Reports can feel limited for complex analysis. But for practices prioritizing simplicity and wanting everything consolidated, Eye Cloud Pro delivers without overwhelming your staff with features they’ll never use.
Barti
Barti represents the new wave of optometry software. Founded in San Francisco, backed by Silicon Valley engineers, and recently closed a $12 million Series A round. The company is also the first and only EHR invested in and endorsed by AOAExcel, the American Optometric Association’s for-profit subsidiary.
The pitch centers on AI. Barti’s AI Scribe captures patient conversations in real-time and generates exam notes automatically. The AI Office Copilot answers phone calls, books appointments, and handles routine inquiries even after hours. The company claims they’re working toward automating 80% of routine administrative work.
Beyond the AI features, Barti consolidates tools that typically require separate vendors. VoIP phone integration means calls happen through the EHR, with patient records popping up when someone calls. Website management, two-way texting, and reputation management all live in the same platform. One practice reported a 78% increase in patient visits and a 36% revenue boost after switching.
The platform displays everything on one tab instead of requiring users to click through several screens. It includes specific templates for managing myopia, binocular vision, dry eye, and other related areas. Younger ODs who are used to modern software might find Barti easier to understand than older systems. However, for those who have been using the same software for 20 years, making the switch could be difficult.
EyePegasus
EyePegasus built its reputation on usability. Fewer clicks. Faster load times. An interface that actually looks modern. The company emphasizes customization, letting you configure exam templates, workflows, and data fields to match how you actually practice.
iPad compatibility is a major selling point. EyePegasus was designed as a native iPad app from the start rather than being retrofitted for tablets. Carry your charting with you between exam rooms. Use the iPad check-in feature to streamline patient arrival. Patients consistently comment on practices using the system, looking “high-tech,” which matters for perception.
The family-run company has a smaller presence than larger companies like RevolutionEHR or Eyefinity. Users say they truly care about helping practices succeed, not just collecting subscription fees. When you ask for features, they often show up in the next updates.
That smaller scale cuts both ways. Some features that mature platforms include aren’t available yet. But the company moves fast. Users report suggesting improvements and seeing them implemented within months. For practices wanting a responsive vendor who treats feedback seriously, EyePegasus offers something different.
iTrust
iTrust operates globally, serving optometrists, optical retailers, eye hospitals, and optometry colleges in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa. The platform focuses on affordability and does not require long-term contracts. This approach attracts practices that are cautious about entering multi-year agreements.
The all-in-one cloud system includes EHR, practice management, optical point-of-sale, inventory management, insurance clearinghouse, and analytics. AI-powered tools include an AI receptionist for managing calls, an AI doctor assistant for exam support, and an AI scribe for documentation. Sound familiar? iTrust is competing directly with newer entrants like Barti on the AI front.
Vision insurance integration lets you submit claims to EyeMed, VSP, Spectera, and Davis directly from the system without switching to separate portals. Real-time claim status updates and denial alerts help billing staff stay on top of receivables.
The platform includes VoIP phone integration, two-way texting, WhatsApp messaging, and even website and social media management. It’s the kitchen sink approach to practice software. Whether that comprehensiveness feels empowering or overwhelming depends on your practice’s appetite for adopting new tools.
OD Link
OD Link was created by Craig Cutler, OD, who started a cold-start optometry practice in 1984 and began developing the software two years later out of frustration with available options. That origin story matters because the system was literally built by someone running an optometric practice who needed something that worked.
The single-screen exam layout gets mentioned repeatedly in user reviews. All documentation appears on one page, mimicking how paper charts worked but with digital capabilities. Users describe it as the closest thing to paper records they’ve found while gaining the benefits of electronic systems.
OD Link runs on FileMaker Pro, which allows significant customization but also means the interface looks different from typical web-based software. It’s available on-premise or cloud-hosted, compatible with Windows, Mac, and iPad. The system integrates with Marco and other diagnostic equipment.
Customer support earns consistent praise. Users mention calling and getting the same person they’ve talked to for years, someone who previously worked in an optometric practice and understands the questions you’re actually asking. For practices valuing stability and personalized service over cutting-edge features, OD Link delivers a reliable workhorse.
MaximEyes
MaximEyes was the first EHR to integrate with the American Optometric Association’s MORE Registry and offers direct reporting to both CMS and the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s IRIS Registry. For practices needing regulatory compliance support, that integration matters.
The system serves both optometry and ophthalmology practices, with customizable exam templates that adapt to different specialties and visit types. A modifiable rules engine suggests diagnostic and procedure codes based on exam findings, speeding up the documentation-to-billing handoff.
MaximEyes offers both server-based and cloud-based deployment options with Android and iOS mobile access. The optical point-of-sale module manages dispensary operations alongside clinical functions. Integration with VSP’s calculator and benefits verification helps practices serving vision insurance patients.
With MaximEyes, you're not forced into someone else's idea of how an eye exam should flow. You might have to spend more hours configuring things upfront than you would with a more rigid system. But the optometrists who push through that initial phase tend to stay. They've built something that actually mirrors how they think about patient care, not a compromise they tolerate.
VisionWeb with Uprise
VisionWeb pioneered online ordering for the optical industry over 20 years ago. More than 20,000 eyecare professionals use the platform to connect with over 500 labs and suppliers. The Uprise EHR and practice management system extends that ordering heritage into comprehensive practice software.
Uprise was built specifically for optometry with embedded tools like frame catalogs, e-prescribing, patient recall, code verification, and direct integration with VisionWeb’s ordering platform. Place lens and frame orders without leaving the EHR. Track order status in real-time. Eliminate the phone calls and faxes that waste staff time.
The CodeSAFE feature checks for incompatible CPT code combinations and questionable CPT-ICD pairings before you submit claims. Catching coding errors before submission speeds reimbursement and reduces denials.
VisionWeb also offers Revenue Cycle Management services, where their optometry billing experts handle claim filing, work rejections, and manage denials. For practices wanting to outsource billing headaches while keeping clinical operations in-house, the combination makes sense. The company claims reimbursements come 2x faster than the national average through their RCM service.
Crystal Practice Management
Crystal PM has served optometry practices for over a decade with what the company describes as “simple, fast, inexpensive, and effective” software. Over 300 customizable medical record templates are available through their user community, created by practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists who share what works.
The platform offers options for cloud or local server deployment. The Crystal Cloud provides 24/7 access from any device and manages backups and security. A “My Data My Way” service creates daily backups that sync with your practice location. This keeps you in control of your data, even if there is an issue with the cloud infrastructure.
Electronic routing slips follow patients from check-in through checkout, tracking diagnosis codes, CPT codes, product orders, and recalls. Integration with clearinghouses like Apex, Trizetto, Waystar, and VSP enables direct claim submission. The inventory platform tracks frame and contact lens stock with electronic lab submission for most major vendors.
Some users mention the interface looking dated and occasional slowdowns with multiple concurrent users. But Crystal PM consistently gets credit for responsive customer support and straightforward functionality without hidden fees. Everything needed to run an optometric office is included rather than requiring add-on purchases.
VisionPro POS
VisionPro takes a different approach than comprehensive EHR platforms. It focuses primarily on optical retail operations with point-of-sale, inventory management, and patient management built around the dispensary workflow.
The patient chart centralizes demographic data, allergies, balance information, prescription history, and family relationships. The RX management tab tracks current and expired prescriptions with color-coding for easy identification. Create invoices directly from prescriptions. Track lens information and expiration dates.
Inventory management handles frames, contact lenses, and accessories with barcode scanning and automated stock tracking. Marketing tools, employee commission tracking, and multi-location support round out the operational features. The system includes basic EHR capabilities, though practices needing robust clinical documentation might pair VisionPro with dedicated EHR software.
Customer service gets consistently excellent reviews. The company offers 24/7 support and training for new employees. Users describe representatives going above and beyond to solve problems and customize the system for specific practice needs. For optical retailers and practices where dispensary operations drive the business model, VisionPro offers purpose-built tools.
Finding Your Fit
Nobody can tell you which software is "best" because that question doesn't make sense without context. A three-location group with heavy VSP volume has completely different priorities than a solo OD running a medical optometry practice.
Think about what actually drives your revenue. Heavy dispensary? You need strong optical POS integration. Look hard at Eye Cloud Pro, MaximEyes, or VisionPro. Mostly medical billing with minimal frame sales? Skip the fancy inventory features and focus on clinical documentation and coding support.
Don’t underestimate the value of responsive customer support. Every practice hits technical problems eventually. Every practice needs someone who understands optometry-specific questions rather than reading from generic troubleshooting scripts. Check review sites for patterns in support feedback before committing.
Here's something vendors won't emphasize: support quality varies wildly. Every company claims great customer service. But there's a real difference between reaching someone who worked in an optometric practice and reaching a call center reading from scripts. Dig into review sites. Look for patterns. Multiple complaints about the same issue usually signal a real problem.
Before signing anything, get your staff in front of demos. Not just you. The people who'll click through this software forty hours a week. But also remember that ultimately you’re in this for your patients. And it’s your patients who will return when the experience feels smooth rather than chaotic. Ensure that you select your EHR system with them in mind.
