EYE ON EQUIPMENT

Finding a Way

Big-time surfacing not for you? Explore the in-house alternatives

looking to expand your in-house capabilities beyond edging, but aren’t sure your business is right for a surfacing lab? Many independent retailers are in the same position—and they’re exploring alternative technology that allows them to create lenses on the spot, without the expense of a lab.

“The size and cost of a full in-house lab means a practice must have a high volume of jobs per day in order to justify the commitment,” explains John Corsini, president of Super Optical International. Through alternative surfacing technology, “practices can offer the fast service, competitive pricing, and great customer service without compromising their independent values,” he adds.

Here, we look at two ways that any size retailer can bring the entire lab in-house:

FASTGRIND: From Super Optical, FastGrind is a compact lens surfacing unit that takes up only 5 square feet of space. The computerized system produces digital-quality lenses (with premium AR available). The lens inventory—which is customized for each practice’s needs—comes pre-blocked with a disposable resin block. The lenses are marked for axis and calibrated for exact thickness control. Designs include Super Optical’s proprietary ADDVantage HD progressive and other designs, as well as several brand names and treatments (including photochromic). It is user friendly, run by software that provides step-by-step instructions throughout the process. FastGrind was recently approved by EyeMed as an in-house lab. superoptical.com

Q-2100 DIGITAL LENS SYSTEM: From Optical Dynamics, this proprietary digital process uses free-form generated molds to create a finished Rx direct from liquid plastic. There is no surfacing required, no uncuts to store. The lenses exit the casting system ready to edge. The system can produce progressive, FT-28, or aspheric single-vision lenses in clear or photochromic treatment. The lenses are premium index (thin), lightweight, and drillable, and a high ABBE value (40) and excellent tint absorption. The nanoCLEAR AR System, an in-house AR coating system designed to work with the Q-2100, provides an automated AR, mirror, and scratch coat application process. opticaldynamics.com

These systems are designed for practices with small to medium lens volume that are looking to increase revenue without large capital investments.

“This is a very affordable technology designed for the average-size practice. If you sell a couple pair of progressive or AR lenses a day, this makes strong economic sense for growing your business,” says Michael Yager, vice president of sales for Optical Dynamics.

By collapsing the channel of distribution and producing lenses on-site, ECPs improve service, boost patient satisfaction, and improve practice profitability. Patients benefit from precise optics and just-in-time delivery of eyewear.

—Susan Tarrant