Today we’d like to introduce you to Nimesh Pathak.
Nimesh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I pursued a career in medicine because I wanted to make people’s lives better by improving their vision. In 2010, after years of hard work and training, my career as an eye surgeon began in earnest. Unfortunately, there were some major changes occurring in the field of medicine at that time. Due to declining reimbursements and other troublesome insurance company tactics, there had been a general trend of increasing pressure on medical professionals. Most physicians were being forced to see a higher volume of patients in the same amount of time.
The first five years of my career were not as glamorous as I had envisioned. As a young ophthalmologist, I joined a large eye care group as an associate. I found that my group, much like other large eye care groups in the region, functioned as a factory that just churned out a large volume of patients. It did not matter that the patient experience was akin to visiting the DMV. Gone was the patient-doctor relationship that was so sacred to the vocation of medicine. After 5 years of being a cog in this wheel, I decided that there had to be a better way, and I struck out on my own.
I established Lucent Vision in 2016 as an ophthalmology clinic where a personalized patient experience was a top priority. Our office location and staff size were small by industry standards, but this is what allowed us the ability to spend more time with patients. As a dedicated entrepreneur I learned many different business skills on the fly so that I could continue to have a lean and efficient business. Since our operating costs were lower and more manageable than our competitors, we were able to limit our daily patient appointments. We also focused on being contracted with insurance companies and payors that compensated us fairly for our work. Our business was able to grow rapidly due to word-of-mouth marketing from patients who were impressed by their experience. Most importantly, I was able to re-establish the sacred patient-doctor relationship.
In 2025, our business evolved even further by opening a new location in Fountain Valley. We have refined our mission to exclusively focus on customized vision correction procedures. With investments in technology and training, we are one of the only clinics that offers all six of the major vision correction procedures available to adults. These procedures include LASIK, SMILE surgery, and cataract surgery. Nevertheless, we have not lost focus on our commitment to the patient-doctor relationship. The patient journey and the patient’s relationship with their provider remains our top priority.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our business has faced a number of different headwinds over the last several years. In the spring of 2020, we were forced to cease our operations for several months due to the COVID pandemic. At the time, non-essential medical and surgical care was postponed. We were forced to exhaust our emergency funds so that we could continue to meet payroll and rent expenses. Fortunately, after a couple of years of treading water, we were able to slowly return to a more stable baseline. Another major challenge has been the the continued decline in insurance-based physician reimbursements. As all of our operating expenses continue to rise, it has become increasingly difficult to offset the declining reimbursements. Nonetheless, by optimizing our efficiency and expanding our services we have been able to avoid any major changes to our operations. And finally, the consolidation and acquisition of medical practices by corporate entities and private equity firms has made competition even more intense in the surgical vision correction space. These larger entities have limitless marketing budgets and they also enjoy the benefits of “economies of scale.” Our small business continues to be successful despite this competition because of our ability to deliver excellent outcomes with a much more personalized experience for patients.
We’ve been impressed with Lucent Vision, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lucent Vision is a surgical vision correction clinic that has locations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Our mission is to deliver the benefits of clear unaided vision to our guests in a personalized manner. We are one of only a few vision correction clinics that offers all of the major vision correction procedures available today. These procedures include LASIK, SMILE (Small incision LASIK), Implantable Contact Lens, Custom Lens Replacement, and Premium Cataract Surgery. Along with our outstanding outcomes, our primary focus is to deliver an amazing patient journey. In a world where medical care has become impersonal, our staff excels at personalizing your experience every step of the way. Our business has grown over the last decade largely due to word-of-mouth marketing and our amazing reviews.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
There are a few important professional resources that help me do my best at work. Since I am a solo doctor, I enjoy having a connection to the larger refractive surgery community through an organization known as the Refractive Surgery Alliance. This forum is a worldwide group of vision correction surgeons that work collaboratively to share their knowledge of the field. I also participate in a countrywide group of solo ophthalmologists known as SoloEyeDocs. This forum is comprised of solo ophthalmologists who work collaboratively to share their knowledge about how to successfully run a private ophthalmology business. For my own personal growth I have used the Waking Up app. This app has allowed me to stay committed to a daily mindfulness meditation practice. I owe a great deal of my success to the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern where I was able to attend a business school curriculum geared towards physicians who are looking to bring innovation to the business of medicine. Lastly, my greatest resource has been my family. From the beginning, my wife and two daughters have supported my dreams and have carried me through all of life’s challenges. Being a business owner has given me the time and independence to enjoy my favorite hobby: traveling with my family.
Pricing:
- We offer free consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LucentVision2020.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentvision2020
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lucentvision2020
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7VBlgL82zszBlU1xe82qLA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lucent-vision-long-beach
