The 20/20 Podcast

About The 20/20 Podcast

Dr. Harbir Sian is an award-winning optometrist based in Vancouver, Canada. In The 20/20, Dr. Sian interviews guests from various backgrounds and industries to share their struggles and successes. Guests include business owners, entrepreneurs, world-class athletes, media personalities, medical professionals, and more. Through conversations with these guests, Canada's number 1 optometry podcast brings clarity to business, entrepreneurship, and eyecare. Dr. Sian also shares his personal experiences through his shorter Eye2Eye segment. In these short episodes, Dr. Sian opens up and provides a vulnerable look into the challenges he has faced (and overcome) in his personal and professional life. The 20/20 Podcast gives you a look through different lenses and helps you focus on your growth.

Publisher

Harbir Sian, OD

Category

business · business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Oct 2019

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

225 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   The Secrets of a High-Performing Optical - Andrew Bruce

   Increasing optical sales doesn’t have to mean becoming more “salesy.” In fact, Andrew Bruce argues that the best optical practices grow by doing the opposite: slowing down, asking better questions, understanding the patient’s lifestyle, and confidently recommending eyewear solutions that genuinely improve how they see and function throughout their day. In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with licensed dispensing optician, educator, consultant, and longtime industry veteran Andrew Bruce to explore practical ways optometrists, opticians, and optical teams can increase eyewear sales while delivering a better patient experience. Andrew shares why one pair of glasses rarely meets every visual need, how a strong doctor-to-optician “transfer of authority” can dramatically strengthen the optical conversation, and why clinicians shouldn’t be afraid to recommend multiple eyewear solutions when they are truly in the patient’s best interest. The conversation also dives into the details that can separate an average optical from a great one: frame inventory, merchandising, premium product, pricing strategy, optical measurements, fabrication, dispensing, and knowing your patient demographic. Andrew explains why empty frame boards can unintentionally communicate neglect, why he prefers broader style selection over stocking multiple colours of the same frame, and why starting with premium options can sometimes lead to better outcomes than beginning with the least expensive product. Whether you’re an optometrist looking to improve optical capture rate, an optician trying to strengthen patient conversations, or a practice owner looking for practical ways to increase optical profitability, this episode is packed with strategies that can be implemented immediately. Key Takeaways 1. Prescribe eyewear solutions — don’t simply sell glasses. Ask patients about their work, hobbies, driving, screen use and lifestyle. Every unmet visual demand may represent an opportunity to recommend a more appropriate eyewear solution, whether that means occupational lenses, prescription sunglasses, a second pair or another specialized option. 2. The doctor-to-optician handoff matters. A strong “transfer of authority” helps reinforce the treatment plan and positions the optician as the expert who will carry out the doctor’s recommendations. Repeating those recommendations during the handoff can increase patient confidence and create a smoother path into the optical conversation. 3. Optical profitability is built on the entire experience. Great product matters, but so do precise measurements, fitting, fabrication, merchandising, inventory turn, frame selection and presentation. Andrew’s message is simple: quality and attention to detail create value — and patients are more likely to invest when they understand that value. About Andrew Bruce Andrew Bruce is a licensed dispensing optician with more than 25 years of experience in private practice and optical management. He holds a master’s degree in ophthalmic optical and contact lens technology and is a Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America. After retiring from private practice, Andrew became a full-time educator and industry consultant through ASB Opticianry Education Services, where he provides optical training, practice management education, and ABO and NCLE preparation. He is also a prolific writer and speaker within the optical industry. Learn more about Andrew and ASB Opticianry Education Services at asbopticianry.com. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/ (http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/)

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   From Myopia Management to Myopia Business: Building the Systems That Scale - Dr. Fallon Patel

   Myopia management has quickly become one of the most important areas in modern optometry. But knowing why it matters is very different from knowing how to actually build it into a successful practice. In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with Dr. Fallon Patel, multi-practice owner, speaker, and myopia management leader, to break down what it takes to move from simply believing in myopia management to consistently delivering it in everyday clinical practice. Dr. Patel shares the systems that helped her scale myopia management across multiple clinics and a large team. From starting with just one or two treatment options, to developing a "myopia champion," training the entire staff, mapping the patient journey, and creating repeatable protocols that make it easier for every doctor and team member to participate. The conversation also dives into the importance of tracking simple KPIs. As Dr. Patel explains, clinicians may genuinely believe they are recommending myopia management consistently, only to discover that the numbers tell a very different story. Tracking creates visibility, accountability, and an opportunity to improve both patient care and practice performance. Dr. Patel explains why young patients can be excellent contact lens candidates and introduces her "3 Cs" of pediatric contact lenses - convenience, confidence, and compliance. She and Dr. Sian explore why clinicians should be cautious about deciding what a child can handle - or what a family can afford - before the conversation has even taken place. The episode also looks at MySight and MyDay MySight, patient compliance, staff delegation, and why giving families a complete picture of their options may be just as important as the treatment itself. Ultimately, this is a conversation about turning good intentions into action. Whether you are just starting a myopia management program or trying to scale one across multiple doctors and locations, the message is simple: start the conversation, build the system, measure what you are doing, and stop making decisions on behalf of the patient before they have had the opportunity to make them for themselves. 3 Key Takeaways · Keep myopia management simple at the beginning. You do not need every technology or treatment modality before starting. Dr. Patel recommends beginning with a manageable number of options, building confidence, and expanding from there. · Your entire team has to understand the patient journey. Front desk staff, technicians, doctors, and team members responsible for insertion and removal training all influence whether a myopia management recommendation actually turns into treatment. A clear system makes the process easier for both patients and providers. · Track what you actually do - not what you think you do. Simple metrics such as the number of eligible children seen and the number of treatments initiated can reveal the gap between clinical intention and clinical behaviour. Tracking creates the visibility needed to improve patient care and practice performance. **Correction: MiSight is supported by a 7- year study. During the conversation, Dr. Sian and Dr. Patel stated it was 8 years. About Dr. Fallon Patel Dr. Fallon Patel is a multi-practice owner in the Greater Toronto Area with more than 15 years of clinical experience. She is a recognized speaker and key opinion leader in myopia management and contact lenses, with a particular focus on building practical systems that help optometry teams deliver consistent, scalable myopia care. A special thank you to CooperVision Canada for supporting this episode of The 20/20 Podcast and for their ongoing commitment to advancing myopia management education, technology, and resources for eye care professionals across Canada. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/ (http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/)

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Screens, Cosmetics & Dry Eye: What Optometrists May Be Missing - Dr. Etty Bitton

   Dry eye care has changed dramatically over the past decade—but with more diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, in-office treatments, and technology than ever before, it can also feel increasingly complicated. In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with Dr. Etty Bitton, Professor at the Université de Montréal, Head of its Dry Eye Clinic, and a Canadian ambassador for the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), to discuss how optometrists can simplify their approach while staying aligned with the latest evidence in dry eye disease. Dr. Bitton explains why clinicians should start with diagnosis before investing in treatment technology, including the importance of standardized symptom assessment with the OSDI-6 and a systematic approach to evaluating tear-film stability, osmolarity, ocular-surface staining, eyelid disease, inflammation, and other anatomical contributors. She also discusses how the evolving TFOS DEWS III framework moves beyond simply categorizing dry eye as evaporative versus aqueous deficient and instead encourages clinicians to identify the specific structures and mechanisms involved. The conversation also explores several issues increasingly relevant to everyday optometric practice: screen time, incomplete blinking and meibomian gland dysfunction in younger patients; Demodex and its connection with dermatological conditions; cosmetics, retinoids and products used around the ocular surface; and the value of building referral relationships with other optometrists, dermatologists, rheumatologists and specialists. Dr. Bitton's message is ultimately a practical one: before building an advanced dry eye clinic around expensive equipment, make sure you understand the disease, use evidence-based diagnostic tools, and speak the same diagnostic language as your colleagues. 3 Key Takeaways 1. Get the diagnosis right before worrying about the technology. Dry eye management can become overwhelming when clinicians start with IPL, RF, meibography, pharmaceuticals or other treatments. Dr. Bitton argues that the first priority should be a consistent, evidence-based diagnostic process—including standardized symptom assessment such as the OSDI-6. 2. Screen time may be affecting the ocular surface much earlier than we think. Screen use is associated with more frequent partial blinking, which can interfere with normal meibomian gland function. Dr. Bitton discusses seeing significant gland changes even among optometry students in their early twenties and emphasizes the opportunity for earlier patient and parent education. 3. Dry eye history-taking needs to extend beyond the eyes. Cosmetics, skin-care products, retinoids, dermatological conditions and systemic disease can all provide important clues. Asking patients about what they put around their eyes—and developing collaborative relationships with other healthcare professionals—can become an important part of comprehensive dry eye care. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/ (http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/)

Who has been a guest on The 20/20 Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Pavan Avinashi
• Dr Cedrick Mah
• Dr Nathalie Trottier
• Dr Evelyn Lo
• Dr Graham Merry

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

28 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact The 20/20 Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The 20/20 Podcast