Lab Challenges in Children's Eyewear

Here's what your OLA lab can do to help you increase profits

By Alex Yoho, ABOM

There is a real awakening about children's eyes—and their eyewear—and labs are up to the challenge. Thanks to state and national awareness programs, more parents now understand the need to get their children to the eye doctor early and often.

Today's labs can help you increase your profits in this burgeoning category. To find out some of the solutions labs can provide, we conducted a cyber roundtable. Participants included: Gerry Shaw, owner, Western Carolina Optical, Asheville, N.C.; Steve Sutherlin, president, Sutherlin Optical, Kansas City, Mo.; Chris Bowers, operations, Walman, Minneapolis; Peggy Conway Fleit, director of marketing, Homer Optical Company, Silver Spring, Md.; and Tom Heberling, vice president of pre-production, HOYA, Midwest/Northeast.

Q Are labs in the frame game when it comes to children's eyewear?

Shaw: Yes, we have frame and lens children's packages. We offer a low-end line of children's frames and single vision lenses starting at $17.95, as well as a premium package.

Sutherlin: It's a very important market segment and it is gratifying to know that children can improve their school performance and enhance their quality of life by using our products. We partner for a special Kid's Package that incorporates a frame and high-impact lenses, and offers the options of Transitions and AR.

Fleit: Our goal is to make it easy for the eyecare professional to display kids' frames, then provide a flexible, all-inclusive frame and lens package.

Heberling: We have several package programs directed toward children's eyewear. These packages offer frames and lenses…and AR.

Q How have programs like "See to Learn," "The Children's EyeCare Program," "Check Yearly. See Clearly.," and "Infant SEE" boosted awareness?

Sutherlin: These programs are great because they remind parents of the need to have their children evaluated, so they can achieve their maximum performance. Some states are, in fact, now requiring vision assessments before entering school.

Bowers: A little, but what will and has made a difference is legislation that mandates eye exams. We have seen a few states do this, and I applaud them. When you consider the annual cost of public education is from $8,000 to $11,000 per child, it makes perfect sense to support that investment with good vision.

Fleit: We have a Children's Eyewear Education Kit. The most successful part of the program is a brochure designed for parents titled, "How important are the right lenses for my child?"

Q What should dispensers consider about the challenges in surfacing very small lenses?

Shaw: Usually, you are not surfacing that much, as stock lenses will service most of what you need.

Sutherlin: On plus powers, custom-surfaced lenses should be used to control the thickness.

Bowers: While small diameter lenses are more difficult for the lab, they do not constitute additional cost or delays.

Heberling: Dispensers should consider the frame type since the edge thickness on the lenses can be an issue.

Q What are the edging challenges for kids' eyewear?

Shaw:Your edger must be able to cut a small B measurement. Also, there are some tracers that have difficulty tracing small frames.

Bowers: When we have very small frames, we use a blocking body that is also small. This translates into less surface area for adhesion, which can translate into twisted lenses.

Heberling: Today's edger will handle small lenses. However, if you get below 24mm in any direction, sometimes the lens may need to be hand beveled.

Q What should dispensers consider as doctors prescribe more PALs for children?

Bowers: Probably a usable frame depth as most fashion frames today have very narrow B measurements. They should try to take advantage of progressives with the shortest corridor length possible.

Heberling: They should ensure that there is enough B measurement so they get full add power.

Q What about customizing, AR, and tints on kids' eyewear?

Bowers: The most-requested customizations are cable conversions, temple size adjustments, and hypo-allergenic coatings. It's also possible to add adjustable nosepads to plastic frames.

Sutherlin: AR coatings and photochromics are wonderful additions for children's eyewear. Children are very active—indoors and out—so Transitions is perfect for them in all light conditions.

Fleit: Anti-reflection treatment is very important for children; it improves their overall visual acuity. Today's kids are constantly in visually demanding situations—at home (computer and TV) and at school (with fluorescent lighting).

Heberling: Some tints are used for therapeutic purposes.

To find an OLA lab near you, go to www.ola-labs.org.