IcareLabs Blog

Why Polarized Lenses are an immediate win for your patients and your optical practice

Why Polarized Lenses Are a Win for Patients & Opticals

Feb 25, 2026 11:39:04 AM

If there’s one lens upgrade that consistently delivers real, noticeable value to patients and stronger margins to the optical, it’s polarized lenses. They’re not just a “nice add-on”—they solve everyday visual problems patients didn’t even realize could be fixed.

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Make Eyeglasses from Scratch?

Feb 25, 2026 10:56:18 AM

Imagine, if you will, a post-apocalyptic world where  wholesale optical labs like IcareLabs no longer operate. <Gasp!> What could you use to make prescription eyeglasses from scratch? How would your patients see to find you? Who could supply the squinting masses with eyeglasses?

Seems far fetched, doesn't it? Well, we found a video with a guy who did just that. One of the guys at How to Make Everything has done the unthinkable. We're talking about making glass from sand and a frame from a tree he personally downed with an axe he crafted from aluminum foil. Okay, I made the axe thing up - but he really did make glass lenses and frames from scratch.

How'd they turn out, you ask? Let's just say it's very complicated and required a lot of steps. Gotta give the guy credit for trying...

Check it out:

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Is a digital or traditional progressive better and why?

Traditional vs. Digital Progressive Lenses: An Optician’s Perspective

Feb 13, 2026 8:41:18 AM

At IcareLabs, we believe progressive lenses are only as good as the design, processing, and real-world compensation behind them.

As Eye Care Professionals (ECPs), you already know patients tend to focus on brand names and price. But the true difference in progressive lens performance comes down to how the optics are engineered — and whether they’re optimized for how the frame is actually worn.

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The benefits of FL41 on your patient's glasses

The Benefits of FL41 Tinted Lenses

Feb 4, 2026 10:15:00 AM

In a world filled with screens, fluorescent lighting, and bright sunlight, many people experience uncomfortable sensitivity to light — a condition known as photophobia. For those affected by migraines, benign essential blepharospasm (BEB), or chronic ocular pain, certain wavelengths of light can trigger symptoms ranging from eye strain to debilitating headaches. That’s where FL-41 tinted lenses come in: a scientifically studied optical solution designed to reduce light-induced discomfort and improve quality of life.

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How Vertex Distance affects your patient's experience with their glasses.

Vertex Distance: What It Is & Why It Matters for ECPs

Jan 27, 2026 9:30:01 AM

Vertex distance is one of those optical terms that can be confusing to patients — and even to new opticians — but it plays a critical role in accurate eyewear prescriptions, especially for high-power prescriptions and specialty lenses. In this post, we break down what vertex distance is, how it impacts lens performance, and why taking it seriously benefits patients and practices alike.

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What Eyecare professionals can expect from EssilorLuxotticas new SWITCH Vision Innovation Summit

SWITCH: Vision Innovation Summit – What ECPs Can Expect

Jan 26, 2026 9:15:00 AM

The future of vision care is evolving faster than ever — driven by advances in artificial intelligence, diagnostics, smart eyewear, and personalized health solutions. In response to these shifts, EssilorLuxottica has introduced the SWITCH: Vision Innovation Summit, a three-day, future-focused event designed to explore how innovation, data, and design are reshaping vision care at scale.

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2025 IcareLabs Year End Review by Danny Payne

IcareLabs 2025 Year-End Review

Dec 22, 2025 3:03:36 PM

As 2025 comes to a close, I look in the rearview mirror to many blessings, some sadness, and several operational hurdles we have had to navigate. Even though it doesn't feel like another year has come and gone (where did the time go?), I'd like to reflect on all the year had to offer myself and the entire Icare family.

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7 ways to build a winning team culture for your optical shop in 2026

7 Ways to Reduce Retail Optical Employee Turnover in 2026

Dec 16, 2025 4:11:02 PM

Employee turnover has become one of the biggest hidden costs in retail optical. By 2026, the challenge won't be just finding staff—it’s keeping good people once you’ve invested time training them. With rising patient expectations, more complex lens technology, and continued workforce shortages, optical practices can no longer treat turnover as “just part of retail.”

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Transitions SFT Now Available at IcareLabs

Introducing Transitions® SFT™ Bifocal and Trifocal Lenses

Dec 9, 2025 1:22:59 PM

The optical industry has been waiting — and the wait is finally over. Transitions Optical and Younger Optics have officially unveiled a breakthrough innovation designed specifically for bifocal and trifocal wearers: Transitions® SFT™ lenses in polycarbonate composite. Launched on December 2, 2025, this new technology delivers the ultra-responsive performance that single-vision wearers have enjoyed for years, now optimized for multifocal users.

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