Still chewing on the idea of edging? Expert advice + stats from our EB exclusive research will help you decide if in-office finishing is right for your business

there are myriad reasons for bringing your edging (or even lens surfacing) in-house:

To compete with other practices or optical shops by offering one- or two-day turnaround.

To increase customer service.

To have more control over the quality of the lens jobs and reduce returns.

To simply save on wholesale lab fees.

But how do you know making this substantial investment is the right decision for your business…or even where to start?

Here, we lay out several pieces of advice plus a few questions you should ask yourself to help you decide if in-house edging or surfacing is for you—culled from edging equipment experts in the field. All statistics are from ECPs surveyed for EB’s 2017 Market Trends Report.

Got Jobs?

Equipment representatives will tell you that in-house lab equipment pays for itself in reduced lab bills, retained profit, and increased business. That’s true, but be sure your return on investment (ROI) will be where it should be.

Before making an investment, have an ROI calculation done by an equipment vendor.

This calculation weighs your typical month’s lens jobs (type and volume) and your wholesale lab’s cut fees versus the cost of uncuts and your monthly capital loan payment. It’s the first, and most vital, step in your process.

How Much Is Enough?

Edgers come in a variety of levels and price points, the premium models with all the bells and whistles and the value lines with just the basics.

The higher-end edgers will be able to handle a wider variety of jobs and specialties like custom shapes and bevels, drilling, and higher base curves. Entry-level machines may not include drilling, or won’t have built-in tracing, and will have fewer bevel choices.

If you don’t have a lot of lens jobs that need these kinds of options, why pay for features you don’t use? But if you do sell them (or want to sell them), don’t limit yourself with an underperforming machine.

Where Will It Go?

Space is often at a premium, so trying to fit in an edging lab isn’t always easy. Thankfully, small footprints (even desktop) is a trending feature in the equipment category.

And, though some practices are making their in-house labs a focal point in their opticals, today’s small footprints and all-in-one design constructions make it possible to place the equipment anywhere. EB has been told stories of lab equipment in supply closets, hallways, and in the corner of staff break rooms. Little more than a water supply is needed.

Loan Or Lease?

Edgers can range from $30,000 to six figures. There’s ancillary equipment like blockers and tracers (if not built in) to buy as well. Leasing is a popular finance option, as it allows for upgrades once the lease is up, yet capital loans often carry tax and cash flow benefits. Check with your accountant or business manager about which is right before you make your final decision. Your financial payout may be dependent on your payment terms.

What Do Your Plans Allow?

Some major visioncare plans, like EyeMed, now reimburse ECPs who edge in-house and bill through the plan. That, in turn, has had a huge impact on some practices that would otherwise be forced to have pre-approved labs handle all the work.

—Susan Tarrant