about the site
Optician Now was created for Opticians and those seeking certification or licensure to have one central place to find all kinds information relating to the Optician profession as a whole. There really is a lot that goes into being a great Optician.
I’ve tried to include all aspects of Opticianry including why one would want to become a Certified Optician, ABOC exam preparation resources, NCLE exam prep, where you can earn continuing education credits to maintain your certification and general optical training materials. These are not only good resources for an Optician but also good to have on hand for those who are new to the industry or for other staff members who could use the knowledge.
The business section includes all of the other aspects of running a practice. Opticians should have knowledge of the business side of things like automation services, buying, EHR Software, and other things of course, which is why I also have current Optometry industry Podcasts.
I’m always updating and adding to the site’s content as I find new resources. If there is something you find value in that would help others in our industry and should be included on this site, please let me know here.
about the founder
Carissa Dunphy is an ABO Certified Optician who has been working in the eyecare industry since 2008, and in healthcare for several years prior. She grew up in a house where her parents ran their small business in the home office and she began learning all of the elements of running a business at an early age. Seeing the hard work of her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic and the desire to do and see a job well done.
Carissa served on the local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for three years, was a featured contributing Optician in Vision Monday Magazine’s year long Millennial Project, and has been interviewed on many industry podcasts. She currently authors the Real Deal column in INVISION Magazine and is a guest contributor for several other industry publications. Carissa is the Vice-Chair on the Communications & Website Committee and a co-host for the OWA Talks Podcast for the Optical Women’s Association. In 2022, she was named an Innovator in the Most Influential Women in Optical by Vision Monday Magazine, was awarded the Leadership Scholarship Award from the Optical Women’s Association and in 2023, was an Eyecare Business Game-Changer Awardee. Carissa has also published several ABO and COPE approved continuing education courses.
Carissa’s formal education is in technology as a Certified Computer Applications Specialist, graduating Phi Theta Kappa, with additional coursework in Bioethics, Justice, Economics, Communications and Digital Marketing. Before working in the healthcare industry she spent several years working for an internet startup and also a web hosting and live-streaming company where she provisioned servers and built websites for other small businesses. During this time Carissa hosted over 60 live video podcast episodes which ranked as the #2 Marketing and Management Video Podcast in iTunes, second to the Harvard Business Review. Her podcast and small business blog has been highlighted on MSN Money, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, GeekWire, StartupNation, The Shark Tank Blog, Barbara Corcoran’s Facebook page, Mark Cuban’s Twitter feed and various other websites.
Carissa felt that her previous knowledge and experience of working in and with small businesses, helping people, and her love for Opticianry and technology would be a great combination, and Optician Now was created.
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If you’re looking to market to opticians or ECP’s in general, let’s chat about how we can work together.
credentials
American Board of Opticianry, Certified
Computer Applications Specialist, Certified
ABO Ophthalmic I & II Approved Speaker
Google My Business Certified
SEO Certified, HubSpot Academy
Digital Marketing Certified, HubSpot Academy
Social Media Certified, HubSpot Academy