Voices of Vision: How Dr. Scott Reins, O.D., Rebuilt His Practice With a Partner Who Understood His Vision
October 13, 2026
A New Beginning After a High-Volume Career
After decades in one of the largest optometric practices in the Midwest, Dr. Scott Reins found himself at a crossroads. The practice had been sold to private equity to help facilitate partner buyouts, but the shift didn’t align with the kind of care he wanted to provide.
“I just got more and more disappointed with the way the practice was headed and what they were focusing on.”
When his contract expired, he and a younger partner made a bold decision: leave the high-volume environment behind and create something more intentional. A practice built around connection, accuracy, and a slower, relationship-driven pace.
The result wasn’t a traditional cold start, they had a huge patient base but were contractually unable to notify anyone. Instead, they quietly built something new from the ground up. And technology was at the heart of it.
CHOOSING A DIFFERENT PRACTICE MODEL AND THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
In the old practice, automated systems were used heavily but mostly by staff. Dr. Reins wanted to do it differently.
“One of our pushbacks on the automated units before was that we didn’t do enough and the staff did most of it… so we decided to go smaller and just use those instruments on our own.”
He envisioned a model where the doctor, not technicians, controlled the automated refraction, blending high-touch care with cutting-edge efficiency.
To bring that vision to life, he turned to the Marco Lombart and Advancing Eyecare team.
“We explained our vision and what we wanted. The Marco Lombart and AEC team came back with a package and helped us set it all up. They added improvements and made suggestions we hadn’t thought of. I don’t know if it would have turned out as smoothly without them.”
Their partnership helped him integrate Marco automated systems into every exam lane, configure remote projectors, remove chairside bottlenecks, and connect data flow across devices.
“The integration eliminates so much. You hit two buttons and it’s all in your computer system. The margin for error goes way down.”
A CONNECTED WORKFLOW THAT MAKES EVERY EXAM BETTER
From the beginning, Dr. Reins and his partner wanted a smaller staff of true experts—people who could master technology quickly and deliver a premium patient experience.
“You don’t need as many staff if you staff it with great people who know what they’re doing.”
Thanks to intelligent integration across his Marco systems:
- Pre-test data flows directly into the exam lane
- Lensometer readings transfer automatically
- The doctor runs every step of the Epic/Marco automated refraction
- Final prescriptions update into their EHR with just two button presses
The impact has been transformative.
“It’s way more accurate. If patients want to see five different choices, I’m sitting back and doing it instantly. It’s still interactive, but way easier on me physically. I’m not exhausted by the end of the day.”
And patients notice immediately:
“The technology truly wows them. With one button, they can see their current prescription versus what we’re recommending. The feedback is instant.”
A PRACTICE BUILT AROUND TIME, NOT THROUGHPUT
At their previous location, Dr. Reins and his partner each saw around 30 patients per day with a staff of roughly 30 people.
Today, their new practice sees 16–20 patients per day with a staff of just 12 total.
The difference is intentional.
“Instead of going from room to room every five to ten minutes, we take our time. We spend 20 to 25 minutes with each patient. It’s more about the interaction and the relationship.”
And yet, efficiency hasn’t decreased, it has increased.
Because the technology handles the busywork, doctors can focus on the human connection: “The equipment lets you be more personal with people. You don’t have to take it back to the dark ages to get personal. Let the equipment do the technical lifting so you can actually talk to patients.”
This shift has also improved clinical accuracy and reduced remakes: “My findings are a lot more accurate. I can be really specific with axes and prism. Remakes have gone way down.”
A SERVICE EXPERIENCE THAT FEELS LIKE TRUE PARTNERSHIP
One of the biggest surprises for Dr. Reins wasn’t the technology, it was the hands-on support behind it.
“That white glove term gets used a lot, but the Marco Lombart and Advancing Eyecare team lived it. We met on a weekend before opening, and they showed up in sweatshirts and shorts with power tools. We all rolled up our sleeves and installed it together.”
More importantly, the partnership didn’t end on opening day: “I’ve got their personal number. If I need something, I text them and they get back to me quickly. If they’re in town, they stop by, even unplanned, just to check in.”
That reliability gives his team confidence and keeps the practice running smoothly.
“With Marco Lombart and Advancing Eyecare, there are no problems, only solutions. They’re as invested in your success as you are.”
WHY HIGH-TECH WORKS EVEN IN A LOW-VOLUME PRACTICE
One of the most common misconceptions Dr. Reins hears is that automation is only for high-volume practices.
“I think the big misconception is you’ve got to be high volume to be high tech. But I couldn’t imagine any high-quality practice that wasn’t high tech today.”
For him, technology is what enables his slower, more relational model, not the opposite.
“The equipment helps you whether you’re high volume or not. It gives you time back so you can focus on conversations that matter.”
And in an era where staffing challenges plague optometric practices across the country, he sees one clear advantage: “By lunchtime on their first day, our techs can run the equipment. You couldn’t do that if it was complicated. It’s intuitive. That makes everything easier.”
ADVICE TO OTHER OD’S CONSIDERING AN UPGRADE
When colleagues hesitate because of economic uncertainty, Dr. Reins offers them a clear message:
“You’ve got to trust and take the leap. Eyecare is only advancing. Patients expect this level of technology. If times are tight, you have to make people feel good about what you’re doing and you can’t do that without the latest technology.”
And when they ask whether Advancing Eyecare is the right partner, his answer is simple:
“They’re a great company to partner with. You’re not in it alone. I couldn’t have done this without them.”
LESSONS FOR TODAY’S OD
- The best technology doesn’t replace the doctor-patient relationship, it strengthens it. By automating routine tasks and reducing manual work, doctors can spend more time focused on conversations, education, and personalized care.
- Connected workflows eliminate bottlenecks, reduce errors, and create a smoother experience for both patients and staff. When systems work together seamlessly, practices can improve efficiency without sacrificing quality of care.
- Successful practice transformation requires more than equipment. It requires a trusted partner who understands your goals and helps you build for long-term success. The right support can make the difference between simply installing technology and fully realizing its value.
