Optometry & vision equipment financing.

Exam lanes and chairs, OCT and retinal imaging, phoropters and autorefractors, visual field analyzers, lens edgers and finishing equipment, dispensary and retail buildouts, EHR and practice software, and practice acquisitions. A full lane or a whole new office can go on one agreement, from a $15,000 usual minimum to $5 million and above.

Selectively, yes. Startup practices are considered when the doctor has strong personal credit, typically 700+, verifiable clinical experience, and working capital left after the purchase; a down payment is usual. An associate buying into or buying out an existing practice with a track record is a stronger file than a cold start. See the startup financing guide.

Yes. New, used, and refurbished equipment are financed from dealers, auctions, and private sellers. Used equipment is underwritten on its remaining useful life at the end of the term, and a private-party purchase adds a lien search, an inspection or appraisal on larger items, and funds paid directly to the seller rather than through you.

Expect 10% to 15% down on used equipment from a dealer and 15% to 25% on a private-party sale, with a rate roughly one to three points above the same equipment bought new. Used exam lanes, phoropters, and edgers finance readily; OCT and retinal cameras are underwritten more carefully because software licensing and manufacturer support affect resale. See the private-party purchase guide.

Many established-business programs start around 600 FICO, and two or more years in business opens the broadest set of programs and the best pricing. Between one and two years narrows the field but stays workable; under one year the file is underwritten as a startup, which typically means 700+ personal credit, relevant industry experience, and working capital left after the purchase.

The score alone rarely decides it: cash flow, the equipment, and money down all move the answer. Full detail is in the qualification guidelines and the credit score guide.

Equipment finance agreements run 24 to 84 months and leases 24 to 60 months, with $1, 10%, or fair market value buyouts. The term cannot outrun the equipment's remaining useful life, so used equipment is often written on a shorter term than new.

Exam lanes, chairs, and edgers last a decade or more and are usually financed and owned; OCT and imaging technology that updates every few years is where a fair market value lease earns its lower payment. The lease vs. loan guide runs one machine through every structure with real numbers.

Most applications get a first response within 1 to 2 business hours, with same-day options on qualified files and approvals in as little as 30 minutes on clean application-only files. Funding follows in as little as 24 to 48 hours once documents are signed.

Application-only decisions, with no tax returns or financial statements, are available up to $500,000 on qualifying files; above that, expect a full financial package. The application starts with a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your score. A quote from the equipment distributor is enough to start on most lane packages.

Usually, yes. For 2026 the Section 179 limit is $2,560,000 of qualifying equipment, phasing out above $4,090,000 of purchases, and bonus depreciation is 100%. New and used equipment both qualify, and financing does not change the deduction: equipment bought on an equipment finance agreement or a $1 buyout lease with nothing down is deducted the same as a cash purchase, as long as it is placed in service by December 31.

On a fair market value lease the funder owns the equipment, so you deduct the payments as rent instead. Run the estimate in the Section 179 calculator and confirm the treatment with your tax advisor.

Yes. Ophthalmology practices use many of the same diagnostics as optometrists, including OCT, retinal imaging, visual field analyzers and slit lamps, and they apply the same way. Deals run from a $15,000 usual minimum into the $5M+ range, on equipment finance agreements of 24 to 84 months or leases of 24 to 60 months.

Application-only decisions go up to $500,000 on qualifying files. Above that, expect to send a full financial package.

There are four main options. An equipment finance agreement lets you own the equipment from day one, with terms of 24 to 84 months. A lease runs 24 to 60 months with a $1, 10% or fair market value buyout, and the fair market value lease has the lowest payment.

An equipment leaseback turns equipment the practice already owns free and clear into working capital. For a practice acquisition or a partner buyout, an SBA 7(a) loan offers a longer term, typically 10 years.

It depends on the amount, the term, the structure, your credit and the equipment. As an example, on an equipment finance agreement at an assumed 6.75% rate, $75,000 financed over 60 months is about $1,476 a month and $250,000 financed over 84 months is about $3,743 a month. On the $75,000 example, a fair market value lease over the same 60 months comes in lower.

These are examples, not an offer. You can set your own numbers in the Quote Builder without a credit pull.

Run the numbers first in the Quote Builder: set the equipment cost, term, down payment, and structure and see an estimated payment in a few taps, with no credit pull. When it fits, one short application and a soft credit inquiry get you matched with a dedicated funding professional who manages the deal from application to funding.