IcareLabs Blog

The IcareLabs AR room is a state-of-the-art anti-reflective coating facility featuring the latest in anti-reflective coating technologies. As the AR manager here at IcareLabs, I'd like to give you a peak behind the curtain to see how we are able to produce these amazing coatings in record time for our customers.

The Heritage Desk and Office occupational lenses are the perfect answer for your patients that work in a variety of settings. From remote workers at home to executives in the office and everybody in between. They provide added near and extended intermediate zones to help these patients see more where they need it. Let's find out how they work and when you should be offering these amazing lenses to your patients.

Gen Z now makes up a significant portion of the consumer market—and their buying power is only growing. As digital natives, Gen Z’s expectations and preferences are unlike any generation before them. If you're an eye care professional (ECP) looking to boost optical sales and build long-term brand loyalty, connecting with Gen Z patients should be a key part of your strategy.  

In the world of optometry, increasing optical sales is essential for practice growth.However, many eye care professionals struggle with the idea of "selling" to patients.The key is to shift the focus from selling to styling, creating an experience where patients feel confident and excited about their eyewear choices.

We've all noticed how things from the past are making a comeback, haven't we? Recently, my wife surprised me with a record player, and I was reminded of how much I loved placing an album on the turntable. The simple act of dropping the needle brought back a flood of cherished memories. Streaming music just doesn't capture that magic. For those who haven't experienced listening to an entire album, you're missing out on a special journey. Many of my favorite tunes were never singles, and you only discover and appreciate them by enjoying the whole album.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause a range of harmful effects on your eyes. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis, which is equivalent to a sunburn on the cornea. These conditions can lead to significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss over time. With the ozone layer thinning once again, UV protection has become more crucial than ever.

Navigating the world of progressive lenses can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor for both opticians and patients. This is especially true for those new to dispensing. This guide aims to help you streamline the process, ensuring successful dispensing and maximum patient satisfaction.

For those who wear prescription glasses, switching between everyday eyewear and specialized lenses can be cumbersome. Fortunately, with Chemistrie Clips now available at IcareLabs, you no longer have to choose between style and convenience. These innovative magnetic clip-on lenses offer a seamless transition for various visual needs while maintaining the clarity and comfort of your prescription lenses.

We all like to believe that every presbyope should wear progressive lenses. In a perfect world, that would be the case. But as we know, the world isn't perfect. So what do you give an older patient that wants a traditional bifocal, but isn't a fan of the line in the lenses? The Shamir Duo™ has you covered.

As we move into 2025, the eyewear industry continues to evolve with innovative frame designs and advanced lens technologies. Staying ahead of these trends is crucial for Eyecare Professionals (ECPs) looking to provide their patients with the latest in style, comfort, and optical performance. Here’s a look at the top frame and lens trends shaping this year.

With over 30 years in the optical industry, I've seen a lot of new products and technologies come and go. Some have been truly groundbreaking, while others were just small tweaks to existing lens designs and production methods. True game-changers are rarity in our industry.

Nuance Audio frames are shaping up to be one of those rare gems that only come around once in a while. You might be thinking, "Revolutionary? Come on, James, it's just another hearing aid dressed up as eyeglasses." And while that might seem true at first glance, I invite you to stick around and read a bit more. By the end of this blog, you might just see things my way!

We recently got a sneak peek at the brand new Varilux® design which will be called the Varilux® Physio® extensee™. This is an exciting leap forward in technology for both Varilux lenses and their Physio lineup of progressives. This blog will cover the planned launch timeline as well as peek into the expected new technology that drives this design.

As eye care professionals, we know that a single pair of glasses often isn't enough to meet all of a patient’s visual needs. Yet, many patients still try to “get by” with just one. Imagine if they applied that same mindset to footwear—wearing heels to the gym or sneakers to a formal event. It sounds ridiculous, but that’s exactly what many are doing with their most-used sense: their sight.

Hot off the heels of the 2025 Transitions Academy comes the launch of the latest photochromic lenses, Transitions Color Touch. These new lenses are designed to appeal directly to patients looking to have just a touch of color in their photochromic lenses when not activated. Let's dive into everything we know so far about these new lenses in our latest blog.

We're excited to announce that we are processing the new Shamir Driver Intelligence progressive and single vision designs in-house here at IcareLabs. These amazing new designs bring a unique opportunity for your optical to drive high-end branded sales with a design many patients are falling in love with. Let's find out why these designs are so special in this blog.

It's a New Year and that means it's time to start setting your 2025 sales goals. Now with the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, what are you focusing on to ensure you have the best sales possible in your optical shop? We've created this blog to cover 6 key drivers that will help you accomplish this in the months ahead.

At IcareLabs, we know that efficient and affordable shipping is essential to keeping your optical business running smoothly. That’s why we offer a Pay-Per-Box shipping policy that’s as flexible as your needs.

Well, 2024 certainly has been a year for the history books here at IcareLabs. We had plenty of ups and a few big downs, as I'm sure most of you can relate to (specifically if you live here in Florida). All in all, this was definitely a year to remember, and I'm so glad that I've been able to share it all with my Icare family.

Let me share a little secret with you... your job is really challenging! There's something unique about selling a medical device in a retail environment. Working with the public, even in the best conditions, isn't for the faint-hearted.

The ideal scenario would be selling people products for their hobbies, where they get to buy fun things to enjoy their favorite activities. In this blog, I'll share how to create a strategy to help you sell more progressive lenses that really works.

One of the key advantages of partnering with IcareLabs is our intuitive online portal, which provides easy access to a variety of essential features. These include tracking job statuses, creating shipping labels, reviewing statements, paying bills, viewing up-to-date pricing, and most importantly, online ordering. To ensure a seamless experience, we've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our online ordering system.

One of the reasons our customers love doing business with us is the exceptional quality and versatility of our house brand line of freeform digital lenses. Our Heritage lenses are specially crafted to meet a wide range of visual needs, making them the perfect solution for patients who require customized vision correction. Whether you're looking for a daily wear lens or something to elevate your activities, the Heritage line has a design to fit almost anyone's lifestyle. Recently, we’ve expanded our offerings to include specialty lenses tailored for Sports and Driving, providing an even broader range of options for your patients.

Boost your store's revenue by mastering the art of selling multiple pairs of glasses and sunglasses to each patient.

Driving might seem like just another part of our daily routine—something we do without a second thought. But in reality, it’s like a high-stakes game of high-speed chess! Zipping down the highway at over 60 miles an hour, we're part of an intricate dance with fellow drivers. This daily drive requires skill, anticipation, and split-second decisions—nailing those lane changes, perfecting your blinker timing, and smoothly tapping the brakes. And above all, sharp vision is key.

How to Mount Lenses Into Metal Frames: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mounting optical lenses into metal frames requires precision, care, and a clear understanding of the process to ensure the best fit and performance. Whether you're a seasoned optician or someone handling this task for the first time, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to mount lenses into metal frames efficiently.

In today’s competitive optical industry, it’s not just the quality of the eyewear or the latest technology that drives success—exceptional customer service can be the game-changer. In a field where product offerings are often similar, the experience your clients have in your practice can be what truly distinguishes your brand from others. Here’s how superior customer service can set your optical practice apart.

Choosing the right lens material for your patient’s glasses is a crucial part of ensuring their visual comfort, safety, and satisfaction. One of the most popular options, particularly for those with specific lifestyle needs, is polycarbonate. This material offers numerous advantages but also comes with certain limitations that should be considered. Here’s a guide to help you determine when polycarbonate lenses are the right choice for your patients.

If you are the owner of a small optical or optometry office, you probably are fully aware of this, but we felt it worth sharing for those who were not. Starting January 1, 2024, most small businesses will have to report information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Beneficial owners are individuals who own or control the business.

Discover how to enhance your patient's natural features and express their personal style by selecting eyeglass frames that perfectly complement their face shape.

Earn Rewards with Transitions Optical’s PointsPlus Program: A Guide for Eyecare Professionals

Are you an eyecare professional (ECP) looking to add value to your practice while offering top-quality products to your patients? Transitions Optical's PointsPlus program is an exciting opportunity for eligible eyecare practices across the United States. By participating, your practice can earn points for every pair of Transitions lenses sold, which can be redeemed for a variety of valuable rewards.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division recently announced a proposed notice of rule-making to update and revise the regulations that govern the exemption of certain white-collar employees from minimum wage and overtime pay. These rules can directly affect your optical practice. 

The summer months can be challenging for the optical industry, with many customers on vacation or simply postponing their eye care needs. However, this period doesn't have to be a downturn for your business. By implementing strategic initiatives, you can turn the summer slump into a season of growth. Here are some effective tips to help you generate more business during the summer months.

We are proud to announce that as of June 26th, we've successfully installed our brand new MEI Racer Swift edger. This has been no small feat as we had to completely redesign a large section of the lab and carefully coordinate with all of our departments for over a year to accomplish this with no disruption to your patients' jobs. So why did we put so much effort into this? Find out in our latest blog.

The Federal Trade Commission finalized updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rule, also known as the Eyeglass Rule, on Thursday, June 27. This marks the end of a thorough multi-year review aimed at boosting competition in the prescription lens market and empowering consumers with more choices.

Patient flow is a critical component of any healthcare practice, including optical clinics. Efficient patient flow ensures that patients receive timely care, enhances patient satisfaction, and improves the overall productivity of the practice. Here are some key strategies to improve patient flow in an optical practice:

We recently marked our 56th anniversary, a milestone made possible by our incredible customers and dedicated employees! This past year has brought challenges, surprises, new equipment, and a wealth of learning experiences, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Our industry does a decent job of preaching the importance of sun-wear for adults, but when it comes to children, we seem to drop the ball. It's time we step up and educate parents on the significance of sun and UV protection for our little patients.

In our ongoing quest to always be America's easiest lab to work with, our amazing customer portal provides all of our customers with 24/7 access to everything they need. This includes Rx ordering, payments, statements, and more. One of the best features available is real-time job tracking as your work is going through our lab! This blog will explain the various codes you'll see on the job status screen and the estimated turnaround time.

IcareLabs was excited and honored to be named as one of 2024's best places to work in the Tampa Bay area. This outstanding accomplishment not only highlights our company's success, but also emphasizes its dedicated focus on the well-being and development of its employees.

I was honored to join our Operations Project Coordinator, Anita, to help fit and dispense glasses to children in need within our community with our partner Eye Q Eyewear at a local YMCA. 

Just like millions of people worldwide, I was glued to the final round of the Masters Tournament on April 14, 2024. The winner, Scottie Scheffler, blew us all away with his poise and confidence, clinching his second green jacket in 3 years.

Social media has become an integral part of how we communicate, connect, and share information. For eyecare professionals (ECPs), leveraging social media platforms can be a powerful tool for building brand awareness, engaging with patients, and educating the public about eye health. However, it's essential to navigate this landscape thoughtfully and ethically to maximize its benefits. In this blog post, we'll explore how ECPs can effectively utilize social media to enhance their practice.

We've all committed to it, and the majority are sticking to it: "No lenses outside of ANSI Standards." As an industry, we rely on ANSI to define what's acceptable and what's not. If a pair of lenses meets ANSI Standards after being fitted into the frame, we can be confident that the patient will receive functional glasses.

Are your single vision patients looking for some relief from their digital devices? Our new Heritage Relief digital single vision lenses will be exactly what the doctor ordered to help reduce your patient's eye strain. Let's find out who these designs are best suited for and what they can do in our latest blog.

It's quite surprising to learn that 75% of current eyewear patients expressed their interest in purchasing Transitions® prescription lenses if given the option. This statistic highlights a significant opportunity for eyecare providers to cater to their patients' needs and preferences more effectively while increasing average sales price (ASP).

In today's digital age, online reviews wield significant power over businesses. While positive reviews can boost your reputation and attract new customers, negative reviews have the potential to tarnish your image and deter potential clients. However, negative reviews aren't necessarily a death sentence for your business. In fact, they can be valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth if handled correctly.

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the kick-off to National Reading Month which celebrates and encourages reading for all ages. Here at Eye Q Eyewear, this classic children's author has a special place in our hearts as we design and manufacture the Dr. Seuss collection of children’s eyewear.

We've decided to partner with our favorite local lab (IcareLabs, of course!) to offer a promotion in celebration of Dr. Seuss and National Reading Month! From now until the end of March, we will donate $1 for every Dr. Seuss frame sold by IcareLabs. Even better, they have generously offered to match us 1 for 1 with a donation for a total of $2 per frame! 

Hot off the heels of the 2024 Transitions Academy, the new Transitions Gen S lenses will be hitting the market soon. What are the launch details? Are demos available? What makes these new lenses so great? Find out all of that and more in this blog.

EssilorLuxottica has announced that they will be discontinuing several older lens designs within the Varilux product line at the end of this month as part of a push to simplify their product offerings. This will benefit us all and make choosing the correct lens for your patient easier than ever. We'll take a look at what products are going away as well as give you recommendations for replacements in this blog.

In today's digital age, data reigns supreme, especially when it comes to understanding your business and its online presence. For optical practices looking to enhance their marketing strategies, improve patient engagement, and boost overall success, leveraging powerful analytics tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is essential. In this blog post, we'll delve into the reasons why optical practices should embrace GA4 and how it can revolutionize their operations.

Years ago, polarized mirrored lenses could only be done with custom coating. These days we now have the option to get pre-coated mirrors too. So what is the difference and is one better than the other? This blog will cover all the ins and outs of both custom coat and pre-coated polarized mirror options. We think you'll agree there is a clear winner between the two!

Safety lenses and safety frames are an established and consistent section of the overall optical market with prescription safety being a built-in segment of business required by many employers for their employees to safely do their jobs. So the question is, what are you doing to make sure your optical is also getting its fair share of this business?

In the heart of IcareLabs, beyond the machinery and technology, lies a bond that goes beyond the business realm – a connection that considers our accounts not just as clients, but as an integral part of our extended family. For 56 years, this family has been the cornerstone of IcareLabs, shaping it into the optical powerhouse it is today.

Discover the cutting-edge technology and exceptional vision quality of Varilux progressive lens technology. Varilux has been at the forefront of progressive lens innovation for years. With each new iteration, the technology and design have continued to evolve, providing wearers with an unmatched visual experience. From the early days of the original Varilux and Comfort lenses to the advanced materials and manufacturing processes used today, the evolution of Varilux has been driven by a commitment to excellence and a desire to meet the ever-changing needs of your patients.

As the year 2023 comes to a close, many of us have likely already started making New Year's resolutions. Setting goals and making plans for the upcoming year are undoubtedly important. However, I would argue that it is equally important to take the time to reflect on the past year.

As we bid farewell to 2023, we are both thrilled and saddened to announce the retirement of Scott Payne and Skip Payne from our organization. It is with a mix of excitement and nostalgia that we reflect on their leadership journey at IcareLabs, which began in the early 2000s following the passing of their father, our beloved founder, John Payne.

Don't let holiday shipping delays cause you undo stress! Discover effective tips to ensure your packages arrive on time and your patients remain happy.

In the vibrant tapestry of our community, IcareLabs stands as a beacon of excellence, integrity, and resourcefulness. These aren't mere words but the guiding principles that fuel our commitment to making a positive impact. When an opportunity arose to align these values with a local non-profit, we leaped at the chance.

As part of our new dispenser series of blogs this week, we're going to dive into some simple tips for taking seg height measurements. Following these tips will not only ensure proper fit but also lead to more comfortable adaptation and overall lens performance.

The optical world has so much to offer to patients needing glasses but there just isn't enough time in the world to explain all of the upgrades and benefits that these features can bring to an individual. That's when posters, brochures, or even displays come in handy!

We've recently expanded our Legacy house brand progressive lenses with the new IcareLabs Legacy MDO lenses. These PALs are an amazing freeform digital design geared towards mobile device users with an extended visual field in both the near and distance zones. Check out what makes this new design so great.

"Price is what you pay; value is what you get" is one of Warren Buffett's most famous quotes. While a lot of people are familiar with this quote, many do not put this into practice. Understanding value vs. price is key for not only your sales dollars but also your patient's satisfaction and return business.

At the end of 2022, we officially launched our Supply Frame program and we had no idea just how popular it would prove to be! Obviously, many of our customers love the convenience of being able to order their patient's lenses and frames together for faster turnaround time. We now have even more Modern Optical frames to choose from.

If you're like most workers in America today, you're probably tired and having trouble sleeping. Work seems to follow you everywhere - from the dinner table to family gatherings and even into bed. It's time for a vacation, or as our friends across the great pond call it, a holiday. Whatever you want to call it, you definitely need it.

Someone once said that knowledge is having the right answer while intelligence is asking the right questions. As eye care professionals, we often have the right answers for our patients. We have gone to school or apprenticed, studied hard, and took the boards. We should know the answers.

Now, we all know that even the most reliable wholesale labs like ours can make the occasional mistake. After all, we're only human, and sometimes things slip through the cracks. But let's face it, there's nothing more cringe-worthy than dispensing a pair of glasses that are just plain wrong. It's a blow to your reputation as an optician and shakes your patients' confidence in your abilities.

Imagine entering a whole new dimension. A dimension that goes beyond sight and sound and delves into the mind. In this world, you would only have one pair of glasses, with no sun protection or glare protection. Style would matter only in clothing and accessories but not in eyewear. Digital eye fatigue would be the norm, expected and accepted.

Email marketing has been around almost as long as the internet. These days though, many practices still either don't use email marketing at all or are not using it to help increase their sales. So what are the best ways to drive patients back to your store for another pair of glasses?

Before becoming the new Onboarding Account Manager here at IcareLabs, I worked for over a year in our finishing department mounting lenses for your jobs. With over 10 years of retail optical experience and being ABO certified, I wanted to share some tips for mounting lenses into Zyl frames. Hopefully, these tips can improve your finishing process to help keep your patients happy.

Mark Twain, in response to a newspaper article reporting his death, hilariously stated that "The reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated". This famous quote could have been used by our industry numerous times over the past few decades.

As most know by now, June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. I am pretty sure that most of us are not planning a big cookout, family time, and presents. It does fall on a Tuesday which already has its own purpose. Who doesn't enjoy Taco Tuesday? I believe tacos cover 4 of the 5 major food groups, but I digress.

In the world of optics, precision and innovation have led to significant advancements in lens technology. Aspheric lenses have gained recognition for their ability to improve visual clarity, reduce distortion, and enhance overall comfort. This article explores the numerous benefits of aspheric lenses and highlights why they should be considered for various applications.

This blog is coming to you live from New Orleans, LA. where Essilor is kicking off training to sales teams on the upcoming Varilux XR and XR track. Tina Farrell, our Director of Account Management, and myself were fortunate enough to be part of these trainings.

Over the years working with ECPs, I was always shocked to hear how many offices don't sell or even offer anti-reflective coating to their patients. Even with more budget-friendly offices, you are doing a disservice to your patients by not at least offering it.

Today we celebrate 55 amazing years thanks to our amazing team members. We would also like to thank the many eyecare professionals across the USA who have supported us over the years.

Let's take a look at what 55 years looks like in numbers.

In our final installment of this three-part series on optical formulas, we are going to look into compound lenses and the optical cross.

As we continue to expand our supply frame offerings, we now have safety frames from Hudson Optical available. As with all our supply frames, you can order them with prescription safety lenses all in one shot directly through your myIcareLabs account. This provides faster turnaround time and better service levels.

When we first started writing blogs and sending out our monthly IcareFocus Newsletter, we did not know what to expect. We are often humbled by the amount of interest in our blogs. We are also sometimes surprised by the success of some and the lack of interest in others.

The newly revamped Crizal portfolio has a coating to meet any patient's needs. As the leader in anti-reflective coatings for over 20 years, Crizal has been at the forefront of bringing new technology to the market for ECPs. Now the new formulations provide five amazing options that continue to outperform the competition.

Gone are the confusing, hard-to-pronounce names. This simplified product lineup makes it easier than ever before to dispense the right Crizal coating to the right patient.

Mirror coatings are back in style and becoming increasingly popular every day. Knowing how to order a mirror coat to obtain the patient's desires can be challenging, but with these helpful tips and information, this process will become a breeze.

Here at IcareLabs, we pride ourselves in making learning a priority. Our sales, marketing, and customer service teams are constantly utilizing different resources to stay up to date with current products. This allows us to share with our customers the benefits of these new products as they roll out.

The Varilux brand continues to grow with the launch of the new Varilux XR progressive launched in June of 2023. These lenses will feature the latest in bleeding edge progressive technology. Let's breakdown what makes these lenses so amazing.

As an eyecare professional, finding ways to have your practice stand out in the sea of big box retailers and chain stores can be a bit overwhelming. One of the best ways to do so is by focusing on a cause for your marketing efforts. So what is cause marketing and how can it benefit your optical shop?

I know that this is going to be a touchy subject for many of you. With the current economy, we are hearing a bunch of noise about consumers not being able to handle it anymore. They have reached their limits and don't have any money left to spend. You are hearing this and in many cases anticipating a substantial drop in exams and purchases. 

In today's modern lab with digital processing and the high percentage of jobs being processed with non-glare coating, cribbing has become the norm.  While many might be used to receiving cribbed lenses, I would figure that some do not understand why.

We're proud to announce you can now order Eye Q frames for your patients. Eye Q Eyewear is a family owned and operated frame vendor. We now offer 16 collections to choose select frame styles from, including Dickies, Ecko Unltd., and Dr. Seuss branded frames. These frames are available to order with our supply frame system making it easier than ever to provide great lenses and affordable frame packages for your patients.

Eyezen™ lenses are becoming more and more popular with patients across the board. The Eyezen family was originally released for young presbyope patients that needed an additional boost but the line has since expanded and they now have options available for almost everyone that wears a single vision lens! 

Another year down and many great lessons learned over the course of this past year. We've completed several equipment upgrades and fine-tuned numerous processes within the lab itself. Along the way, we've zeroed in o areas for improvement in the New Year. Let's take a look at what we learned and what it all means for us heading into 2023.

You asked and we listened! Wiley X safety frames are now available for purchase directly through your IcareLabs account.

In our never-ending quest to be the easiest lab in the USA to work with, we've added a large selection of Modern Optical frames. We can now process complete jobs with these frames faster than ever before with no need for you to send the frame to us. We are very excited to provide yet another option to help expedite your patients' glasses without having to sacrifice quality.

In September we covered the science of tinting lenses in part 1 of this series. This month we will finish up with some detailed steps for tinting and applying UV coating, then close with some troubleshooting tips. 

Our world is one of constant routine. Whether it's a morning routine or a physical/mental health routine, everyone has a schedule established.

This is no different from your patients’ eye care routine. If you're already conveying the proper communication, your patients know that it's important to visit for regular eye exams. However, how do you ensure they are actually visiting for these exams? What's more, how do you encourage them to visit your practice for more than just an eye exam?

Many jobs require necessary eye safety equipment which gives you the opportunity for a true second pair sale. If there is one thing patients love when picking out their frames it's having options. Safety frames are no different, so we are proud to announce we now offer the complete line of ArmouRx safety frames. This line has several options to choose from to fit the needs of just about any patient.

The next evolution of Crizal treatments are here with two brand new formulations to meet your patient's needs. Launching today and available here at IcareLabs, the new Crizal Sapphire HR and Crizal Easy Pro anti-reflective coatings will give your patients the best experience on the market today.

Chances are that if you have an in-house finishing lab then you tint your own lenses. In this 2 part series on tinting lenses, we are going to go over some of the basics of tinting while digging into the science behind achieving good results.

Signet Armorlite has just introduced KODAK UVBlue Lens, a prescription lens designed to filter out harmful High Energy Visible (HEV) Blue Light. This new lens will be perfect for most patients concerned about the many hours spent staring at the latest streaming content or TikTok trend. For ECPs, it means KODAK Lens blue light technology you trust is now available in two levels of protection:

With the end of 2022 on the horizon, we are seeing ECPs across the country looking for ways to maximize their profit margins. Most of us in this industry expect the ebbs and flows throughout the year, and with the back to school rush behind us, how do you end the year in the black?

Through our customer feedback, we have learned that the best lab to work with is the easiest. With our recent online upgrades, working with IcareLabs has never been easier!

YouTube is the second largest search engine out there. We use it for entertainment, education, even falling asleep! It’s become an indispensable tool for day-to-day living—especially among millennials.
So why don’t most eye care practices have a presence on YouTube?

Crizal announced two new coatings with their Sapphire HR and Easy Pro. These new anti-reflective coatings will help you meet your patients' needs better than ever before. These anti-glare treatments include new technology within the trusted Crizal formulations that continue to improve the premium AR brand your patients know and trust.

As of July 1st of this year, Google has launched their new Google Analytics 4 standard. As an eyecare professional, what does this mean for you and why should you care?

The answer is simple. If your practice wants to measure, track, and/or increase your website's online presence, then you need to make sure you have this set up ASAP! This blog will help guide you in the basics and where to find everything you or your IT team will need.

We are often asked to add tint to Transitions and Polarized lenses. This is never a good idea and comes with risks in both safety and lens durability. 

Blue light protection for patients continues to be a priority for many ECPs.  The damaging effects of HEV or blue light are just starting to be fully understood. We know your patients are looking for an affordable, clear lens option to protect their vision and overall eye health. That is why in the fall of 2019 we launched our Blue Guard family of lenses. 

Over five years ago, we launched our Heritage line of digital progressives with three offerings. These three designs very quickly became some of our best-selling lenses. Today we are very excited to announce that we have launched six new Heritage freeform digital designs. Along with our proven Heritage, Heritage Plus, and Heritage Ultimate lenses, we have added an ultra-premium design with our Heritage Xtreme.

On top of these four everyday designs, we have also added the Heritage Single Vision, Heritage Office, Heritage Desk, Heritage Sport, and Heritage Driver lenses. These new options will better service SV patients, occupational lens wearers, and patients looking for lenses best suited for playing sports or driving.

Essilor of America is excited to announce the launch of the Varilux Liberty 3.0 progressive lens on May 10th, 2022. Backed by the Exclusive Path Optimizer™ technology, the Varilux Liberty 3.0 is a perfect solution for patients who are new to presbyopia.

Having been in the optical industry for most of my adult life has spoiled me. Like many of you, I have multiple pairs of glasses covering all my needs. For many of us, we probably have multiple pairs for a specific need. This is just what you do when you are in the industry; you try new products and add-ons and enjoy their benefits.

Your practice’s digital presence is often one of the first ways people get to know your business. From browsing your website to scrolling through your Instagram, both current and potential patients rely on your online marketing channels to learn more about what your practice has to offer.

Essilor of America has announced the launch of the new Eyezen® Kids lens for April 12, 2022. This will be an add-on to the proven Eyezen family of lenses.

To better assist our customers and improve thickness and cut-out, we are expanding our database to begin storing frame information, including the shape and measurements of each frame. This is a brand new tool in our battle against thick lenses and cut-out issues.

From working at home to learning online, technology has become an integral part of our lives. Along with the greater need for digital devices, comes the potentially harmful overexposure to High Energy Visible (HEV) Blue Light.

Previously, most of our exposure to HEV Blue Light came from the sun, but now we are also exposed through screens, LED lights, and energy-efficient lightbulbs. The increase in HEV Blue Light exposure could contribute to sore eyes, affect our mood, and disrupt our sleep.

These days there are likely many eye care and optometry practices in your area. It can be tough to show potential clients who you are and get them through the door.

So, you need to show them who you are, and the easiest way to do that is by building up your online presence.

Signet Armorlite believes in supporting Independent Eye Care Professionals and this commitment is clearly on display with the introduction of the Kodak Lens Smiles - a new optical growth program that can deliver up to $15,000 in benefits to your practice.

Author and motivational speaker John Maxwell once said that “everything worthwhile is uphill." While this is a true and profound statement, I don't think that it is something that most of us do not know. So many great quotes speak to this same subject. For example, John Hawkins once said that "if success were easy, everyone would do it."

But why is it this way? Does success have to be hard? Why are the best things in life often difficult to obtain? We could get deep into the weeds with this subject and never find our way out. To avoid this, let’s narrow it down a little. Let’s simply look into being just a little bit more successful in your optical business.

Being on the first page of Google’s search results isn’t a miracle or the luck of the draw. It takes strategy, work, and time to see your website show up. Fortunately, part of this strategy is quick, easy, and free—like setting up a Google My Business (GMB) listing for your practice.

Whether you’re looking to increase awareness of your business or convert search traffic into patients, having a GMB increases visibility. If a Google user has to spend more than 5 seconds looking for an answer, they’ve already moved on.

My name is Tina Farrell and I am so excited to be part of the IcareLabs team. I have worked in the optical industry for over 33 years and have been a customer of IcareLabs for over 15 years. Working with them from the outside only grew my desire to be part of something so special.

While it has been many years since I have dispensed glasses, the memories of troubled patients are still fresh in my mind. I had the blessing of being trained under a master optician back in the days when this still meant something. I wish I could remember half of what he shared with me.

Through this training early in my career, along with hundreds if not thousands of calls working with dispensers over the last 18 years I've been with IcareLabs, I feel I have become pretty good at troubleshooting issues with a pair of glasses.

Much like a complex recipe, troubleshooting seems challenging from the outside. However, when broken down into individual steps it becomes effortless. In comparison with cooking, following each step in sequence makes even the most complex dishes seem easy.

It’s no secret that new products create excitement. When you’ve got stunning new eyewear to show off, a trunk show is a perfect way to generate interest in the products — and your practice! So, what exactly is a trunk show?

With this year almost complete, 2021 has truly been a year for the history books; in more ways than we can count. Earlier this year, the 3rd generation of Payne leadership took the helm at IcareLabs. I proudly accepted the position of President alongside my cousin, Tyler Payne, stepping into the Executive Vice President role and my brother, James Payne, as our Vice President of Technology.

We are also blessed to have the brilliant wisdom of Scott & Skip Payne to continue guiding us in their Senior Advisor roles. I know my grandfather would be proud to see how far we have come as a company and as a family.

Last month we asked for some input from our readers, both customers and prospects, on what content they would like to see in our newsletters. We had some good responses; one request was on fixed/variable progressives. While we have dug into this in the past it might be time for a refresher.

Recently we had the opportunity to give back to our community and help enrich the lives of elementary students in our community with the Great American Teach-In. This annual event invites local businesses to come and speak to students directly about what they do and how they do it.

Never in the history of optics have your patients had so many options to choose from. With hundreds of progressive designs, multiple photochromic options, and a vast array of materials it is easier than ever to fill their needs.

We know that cancellations without notice can negatively affect your optometric practice. It’s not always an easy task to provide every patient with the best experience and care from their arrival to their departure.

Doing your best to give your patient an experience that’s hard to forget (of course, in a positive way) will contribute to a decrease in patients not showing up for their scheduled appointments. It will also increase great reviews and word-of-mouth referrals, which can greatly contribute to attracting new patients to your business.

The other day I had the pleasure of reading a very good article featured in 20/20 written by Palmer R. Cook, OD. He dug very deep into Chromatic Aberration and the effects it has on patients.

Part of my job here at IcareLabs is assisting our customers with trouble shooting problem patients. Often the issue is clarity or blur when not looking through the optical center. Lenses work great while looking straight ahead but with even minimal eye movement the clarity goes away. We always look at Rx, base curve, and lens design. This is the lowest hanging fruit.

Keeping employees on the manufacturing floor happy is one of my key goals. Let’s face it, the job can be physically and mentally stressful. I am constantly looking for something to engage the employees in some fun and stimulate some good feelings about how special each and every one of our employees are to IcareLabs.

Transitions lenses have a new digital availability guide now available for all ECPs. This is an easy way to look up all of the amazing Transitions photochromic technology, right at your fingertips. With all of the different combinations currently on the market, it can sometimes be a bit confusing. Luckily, this online guide takes out all of the guesswork.

Over the next year we will try to post a few articles geared towards those who are new in the industry or maybe those looking for a little refresher. We will simply title these our "Optics 101 Series".

To create a good pair of glasses that offer the best optics, fit, and comfort all start with the frame. Frame choice is the foundation that can either make or break the satisfaction for your patient.

The main goal of opticianry is recreating perfect 20/20 vision for your patient. The second goal should be doing this with the thinnest, lightest lenses possible. This will give your patient added comfort and good cosmetics. We are going to break this down into 5 parts of how to give your patient the best overall satisfaction, comfort, and performance of a pair of glasses.

Kodak Lens is one of America's most trusted brands. While many ECPs are familiar with their progressive lens options, did you know they also have premium branded anti-reflective coatings? Let's take a look at all three no-glare coatings offered by Kodak Lens and see how they can best meet your patient's needs.

Following up on the huge success of the new XTRActive Polarized lenses, Transitions will be launching the new XTRActive New Generation technology. We'll take a look at availability, features, and the expected launch date in this blog.

LinkedIn is known as a great social media for growing your professional network or looking for new employees, but you can also leverage it for your retail optical store. All it takes is a little out-of-the-box thinking on your part and you can easily add another online resource for your patients.

If polarized lenses are not an important part of your patient care plan, they should be. Almost everyone could benefit from a pair of polarized lenses as they simply reduce glare better than other products on the market.

While the subject of base curves comes up multiple times a day in my discussions with our customers, I have avoided writing about it for years for three reasons:

1. It is a complex topic that confuses many.
2. It is not seen as important to others.
3. It gets misunderstood by the majority of the rest.

Similar to religion and politics, it's a subject that can destroy friendships. The correct base curve is always a battle of which of 3-key factors is the most important: optics, fit, or cosmetics. But, it does not have to be this way.

Shamir makes two of the most popular occupational lenses on the market today with the Shamir Computer and Shamir workspace lenses. While both lenses are similar, there are key differences that you need to understand to dispense the correct one to the right patient. Once you know when to use which lens, you'll see patient satisfaction increase along with your sales.

When ordering your uncut lenses there are several things you can do to help ensure the best cut out and avoid costly redos. One of the most important frame measurements is the ED, yet we consistently see this has the most confusion on how to get the correct measurement. This blog will show you the correct way to measure a frame's ED.

It can be hard to get reviews for your practice in general. But when a negative review comes through, it can be easy to regret asking your patients to leave one in the first place.

Negative reviews are bound to happen, so when they do, here’s how to deal with them.

Everyone wishes they could boost their sales, right? Increasing revenue for your optical dispensary is as easy as 1, 2, 3 when you use the good/better/best rule of optical sales, educate with needs-based conversations, and shoot those shots for 2nd pair sales. Let's take a look at how implementing this strategy can have a major impact on your bottom line.

One thing we have consistently been asked over the years is how small business owners in the optical industry can give back in a meaningful way to their community. Being able to utilize your unique skills as an OD or an optician is only one step in the process. The Essilor Vision Foundation can partner with you to help provide frames, lenses, and eye exams at no cost to underprivileged children and their family members in your area.

Varilux progressive lenses have been a juggernaut in the optical industry for over 6 decades, and for good reason. Constantly building upon and improving progressive lens technology, they are not a company that rests on their laurels. Let's take a look at why the Varilux family of PALs is still one of the best options available for discerning patients.

We have all been there, shorthanded, and in need of a new team member or two. While this always seems like a daunting task for a small business owner it doesn’t have to be.

With a little preparation and a plan, your next hiring experience could be a good one.

Summer is right around the corner. Many states across the USA reopening (yay). There has never been a better time to offer prescription polarized sunwear for your patients. Understanding how to communicate the benefits of polarized glasses to your patients is the key to dispensing their next favorite pair of sunglasses.

Have a look at the available options here at IcareLabs and questions you can ask them to find the best pairing for your patients.

Few retail businesses around today can get by without having some presence on the world's most popular search engine. Of course, we are talking about Google. Did you know there are several free features Google My Business makes available to business owners?

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. I think we can all agree that he missed the certainty that your customers will not properly clean their lenses. It is not an industry secret that the majority of wearers have some very bad habits when it comes to cleaning lenses.

Facebook certainly isn’t dead. In fact, it’s the world’s third most visited website. And even though almost 2.7 billion people actively use Facebook, the answer to “should I use Facebook” is still: it depends. 

The Varilux Phsyio W3+ launched in the mid-2010s quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Varilux family and has replaced the Physio Enhanced in the Varilux line-up. The Physio W3+ contains several patented technology ensuring your patients will love their new progressive lenses.

Offering high adaptability and lens aberrations, let's take a look at why this lens has become so successful and hear from our resident optical expert on what to expect when wearing these lenses.

Last month I closed off a blog by quoting John Wooden. Of course I knew who John Wooden was, but only after a little research did I find out just what a great man he was. 

John Wooden is most remembered for his years as the head basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins. During a 12 year span his team won 10 National Championships in the late 60s into the 70s. This is success even above what we are currently seeing with Nick Saban at Alabama – Roll Tide!

While his success as a coach is beyond greatness, he is remembered as much for his wisdom as he his for his coaching. He was truly a great man in many ways. He lived a life that was dedicated to others, not just his team, but everyone he came in touch with. 

It being March, with all eyes turning to the NCAA Basketball tournament, I thought I would share 3 of John Wooden’s principles to live by. The core that drove Coach Wooden’s philosophy was based upon a card that his father gave him when he graduated elementary school.

Kodak Lens is now offering free weekly webinars to all ECPs. These webinars are informative and fun while helping teach you about the Kodak Lens portfolio, sales strategies, Kodak Lens branding leverage, and how the Practice Plus program can benefit your optical dispensary.

Plus you can be entered to win a free pupilometer through the end of March 2021!

March has been named Workplace Eye Wellness month by Prevent Blindness, a long-term pioneer in non-profit eye health awareness across the world that started in 1908. They've spent decades researching and collaborating with ECPs with the mission to prevent blindness and preserve sight.

One of their keys to focus on this month is digital eye strain. Here are several great tips you can pass along to your patients (and your employees) to help with this common issue.

Remakes have been, continue to be, and probably will always be a sad part of our industry.
Depending on who you ask, remakes range from 5% to 15% nationally. Remakes are not only
costly and thus frustrating, but they're also a massive negative to your patient.

Let’s remember that your patient is actually a customer. Most importantly they are a customer that you would like to return to you over and over through their lifetime. Remakes for any reason cause your customer to spend the time that they  most likely do not have to come back to your office with any problem, only to be followed up with another return visit to pick up their “fixed” pair of glasses.

Remakes also take up your and your staff's valuable time. The time that could be spent bringing in new business is being spent making an old job right. Whether it is an Rx issue, non-adapt to a progressive, base curve problem, material adaptation, or a simple fitting error, redos cost us all money and time. Regardless if your lab charges for the remakes or not, the truth is this: just like a head-butt, no one wins with a redo.

With all of this in mind let’s look at a few key ways to cut down on remakes.

Ever since we started offering the Guardian Safety Frame line with our stock frames last year, we've had more and more customers tell us they have been a huge success at their practice. This is not surprising considering their phenomenal selection and their great price points!

This blog will breakdown the entire Guardian Safety Frame catalogue so you can determine which frames will work best for your optical dispensary.

Wearing masks has definitely been a task for everyone. The difficulty is patched up even more with those wearing glasses. Fogging issues can be a real and ever severe problem for eyeglass wearers while utilizing the protection of a mask. I personally fall into the glass wearing, category so when IcareLabs started researching this FogAway product I was super excited!

We had tried a couple of other tricks and even a few over the counter products and nothing worked well on lenses with AR coatings. I have to admit that I was a bit suspect, but I was willing to try anything to quit dealing with my glasses fogging up.

After more years than I would like to count of managing teams in both retail and wholesale environments I have learned one very important fact – I would be nothing without my staff. They have always been just as they are now, my greatest resource. A high-performing staff can make a business or practice great while a low-performing staff can kill one. Having a great team creates an atmosphere that is contagious. Your customers will want to be part of it and will continue to come back as a result of it.

It takes work to create good team driven employees that want to serve customers. It doesn’t happen by accident. You will need a focused, strategic, and consistent approach to develop a customer service minded team. Here are a few key factors that could help you develop a team that will represent your practice well while creating a loyal customer base through superior customer service.

Transitions in partnership with Younger Optics have just introduced a revolutionary new photochromic polarized product. By combining all of the benefits of the proven XTRActive Transition product with Polarization your patients now have a product that performs like no other.

It’s 2021, and we are now firmly entrenched in the digital age. With everything from vision screenings to frame try-ons available online, eye care is becoming an increasingly digital business. It’s more important than ever for ECPs to have a modern, updated website.

But there’s so much more to a website than the way it looks. These days, user experience is the name of the game. Your site has to be easy to read, easy to navigate, and easy to understand. Bells and whistles aside, there are a few elements that every great eye care website has. They’re the foundation on which you can build your practice’s online presence.

With 2020 coming to a close, one thing that seems to now be part of the lexicon going forward is a renewed interest in keeping things sanitized. While we hoped this would be over by now, it is very obvious that Covid-19 will remain with us for at least a good portion of 2021.

In the past, simply dusting frames off once a week was about all the "cleaning" we did. Times have changed and our customers are demanding more out of us regarding sanitation. This takes time that many of us do not have, but it must be done.

Luckily, thanks to technology there are more tools than ever before to sanitize your frames and high usage areas in your optical dispensary. Let's take a look at 5 great options that can get the job done quickly and easily.

We are excited to announce 3 more amazing Shamir lens designs are now being processed in-house here at IcareLabs. The Shamir Relax 50, Shamir Relax 80, and the Shamir Genesis HD have officially joined the extensive line-up of phenomenal name-brand progressive lens offerings available to our customers.

As always, everyone gets our always fair, flat pricing included with these lenses. Let's get to know the benefits of each of these lenses along with their key features.

2020 has been an anomaly in many ways. This started off as the year of all things optical. 2020 was going to be 20/20 for our industry. Soon a pandemic rolled in and many opticals across the world were shut down to help control the spread of this unknown and deadly virus. Our economy crashed and when we were allowed to reopen we did not know what to expect. The pleasant surprise for many is the business came back.

Boy, did it come back! Even with the downturn, many people were ready to spend money on new glasses. Q3 was better than anyone could have predicted for our industry. While many are willing to spend good money on good products there are those who continue to be effected by this pandemic. This is not much different than normal times with haves and have-nots.

What progressive are you offering to those on a budget? Do you know these designs? Our industry needs to move away from flattops to grow. Having value options that work is the best way to move your value-minded patient away from bifocals.

One thing that isn't always at the top of everyone's list around the holidays is staying healthy. We are more focused on getting ready for the holidays and enjoying all the good cooking (myself included).

Is your practice encouraging employees to strive for healthy living instead of having that extra helping of mashed potatoes and gravy? Let's look at some easy ways to do just that along with numerous benefits that may surprise you.

What are you doing with your safety business? While many opticals utilize industries in their area to sublimate sales others seem to shy away from safety work.

ANSI prescription safety glasses are required at many businesses and worksites. A vast number of jobs across the country require their employees to wear specialty safety glasses to be able to do their job safely every day.

Hoya Vision Care has just announced that they will be phasing out all of their traditional PALs starting on November 1, 2020. Their announcement mentioned the need for simplification in the offerings. This will have a direct impact on us as we will start seeing our ability to order the Hoya traditional progressive lenses go away sometime in Q4 of 2020.

The PracticePlus program can be your complete office solution for your patients. From help with your in-office displays to name brand lenses and no-glare coatings your patients will love.

The program also includes easy to achieve goals that provide lifetime rebates for your optical. Right now, you can even get double your money back through the end of 2020!

A marketing calendar is an excellent internal tool you can use to plan out your year and keep everyone in your office aware of your plans and next steps. Having everyone on the same page is essential to ensure processes and goals are common knowledge. When everyone involved is fully aware of expectations and how you’d like to get there, the chances of success are maximized.

So, how do you begin?

2020 has been a long year. Covid has kept most of us bottled up at home and cabin fever has become very real to many of us. The good news is that we have made it through the summer. Going outside is now bearable as temperatures start to drop across the USA. So why not get out of the house? Our mental health could use a change of scenery and there is no better time than fall to go out and enjoy the fresh air.

Here are 4 simple activities that could help you break out of the monotony of being cooped up indoors.

With designs like the Autograph III and Autograph Intelligence Shamir has become well known in the premium digital progressive world. What many people do not know is they also offer several premium single vision design options too? These are a great option for more discerning single vision patients that are looking for a more natural visual experience.

The Shamir Autograph 3 single vision, Shamir Attitude 3 single vision, Shamir Relax, and Shamir Autograph 2 single vision digital lens designs can help increase your premium branded capture rate while subconsciously preparing your patients for the move into Shamir PALs once they become a presbyope. Let's take a deep dive into each design to see what each brings to the table and the type of patient that is the best fit for each.

Selling is simply about having a conversation with a person and helping them improve their lives. What other industry offers a better life improvement than ours? A recent study showed that people prioritized their vision over any other part of their bodies. We would rather lose limbs than vision.

We get to help create better vision for our fellow human beings every day. There are not many better callings than what we get to do. It should be rewarding, easy, and stress-free but we all know it often isn’t. So what can we do to try and keep it simple and not lose the sale?

A few years back Essilor shook things up a bit when they released the Comfort 2. There was a bit of panic that they might have made changes to the #1 selling PAL in history that might have not worked. Years later we all know that the changes made to the Comfort not only worked but worked well.

Back then Essilor looked into the "visual needs" changes that had occurred over the previous 10-15 years. Through this research, Essilor was able to update to venerable Comfort design to meet the needs of our modern patients.

Well, they have done it again with the launch of the Varilux Comfort Max. As our lifestyles continue to change so do the needs of our presbyopic patients.

Here at IcareLabs we strive to provide ECPs across the country not just with the best selection of high quality lenses for the best prices, but also with tools to help elevate your optical business. We understand that when one optical does well, everyone in our industry benefits from it!

That's a big part on why we write these blogs and provide our Resource Center to all ECPs at no cost, regardless of having an account with us or not. Most opticals across the country are spending a good chunk of their budgets on various marketing techniques, but what are some non-traditional marketing options you could be using to augment your other marketing efforts?

Transitions now offers an amazing and easy-to-use tool to show your patients the numerous color options they have for next pair of Transitions lenses. Being user-friendly and only requiring a computer (or smartphone) with a webcam, your patients can now try before they buy!

Running a business and managing staff has changed a bit over the last 20 years or so. There was a time when just paying your employees a fair wage, insurance, and a safe environment to do their job was enough to keep everyone happy.

Times have changed and so have employee expectations. We’ve all seen how companies like Google offer all kinds of perks to not only draw in good people but more importantly keep up morale.

Here are a few key ideas to make working for you more fun and rewarding. By following some of these you will improve your morale and teamwork. Most of these will cost you very little out of pocket when compared to how much they can boost your team’s morale.

Customer experience has become a hot term in the retail world. There are many folks out there making a very good living helping businesses improve their overall customer experience for their customers.

With all of this, there are many who still confuse customer experience with customer service. In reality, customer service is just one part of the actual customer experience. There are 6 elements to creating a great customer experience.

In January of this year, I posted a blog hoping to draw your attention to 3 important drivers of your business to focus on in 2020. These were capture rate, retention, and increase your average sales price (ASP) per sale.

Who could have foreseen the events that have transpired in our world over the last 5 months? The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken all of us to the core. Most non-essentialbusinesses were closed down for some period of time; many for months.

The optical industry was hit as hard as any. Most offices closed to all but emergency services. Opticals were shuttered or left to just do repairs and adjustments. Overall the industry saw up to an 85% reduction in sales. We are coming back strong but still learning to live in the new normal. While we could debate whether all of this caution was warranted or not, the facts remain, we all lost sales. Increasing your optical capture rate has never been more important than now.

Kodak Lens now has several fantastic custom printed options that your optical dispensary can take advantage of. These tailored options allow you to remind patients about your practice and the multiple options provided by Kodak Lens. Let's take a look at a few of these choices to get a better idea of how they can help your optical business.

Big news for fans of the Varilux family of progressive lenses. The new Varilux Comfort Max will be launching on August 11th, 2020! In this blog, we'll touch on everything that we know so far. We'll also take a look at where this new lens will be positioned among the many great Varilux lens offerings so you can be prepared when this lens launches later this year.

Thankfully, many of you have reopened and have started doing business in this new normal Covid-19 world we find ourselves in now. We are strong and resilient and will recover from this, but things have changed. As 2019 closed out our economy was booming. We were seeing some of the lowest unemployment levels in history, consumer confidence was high, and all was good. Then along came this virus and everything has changed.

Unemployment is at 15% and many believe it is closer to 20% with those on temporary furlough included. The consumer confidence index crashed in April to its lowest point in 6 years. We are starting to hear from a sizable group of economists that we have already entered a recession. In this politically polarized world we live in I am not sure just what to believe. I do think we all can agree that our consumers have to be shaken. Even those not affected by lay-offs or decreases in business will be a bit more conservative with their money.

How can you keep your focus on the success of your optical dispensary?

These days online reviews can make or break any business. More so for small businesses like local opticians, independent ODs,  and optical dispensaries. Of course, a bad review is something most of us strive to avoid, but how can we shift our focus on getting more of the positive reviews to be posted by all of the satisfied patients that love the new glasses you've just dispensed to them?

As optical dispensaries across America begin to open back up, it has never been more important to make sure we are all following the CDC's guidelines to protect staff and patients. This handy guide will give you the best practices for ensuring your frame offerings are disinfected.

With the start of easing restrictions put in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a better time for your optical business to focus on value products, house brand lenses, and house brand no-glare options. Many Americans have found themselves with tighter budgets than usual. These products give you the ability to lower your price points while keeping your margins intact. 

Many practices shut down due to state and federal guidelines that helped us flatten the curve for the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, some practices are still closed but look to be opening soon. Many have recently opened back up. Here are the American Optometric Associations suggestions for re-opening your practice while still practicing safety and social distancing guidelines.

Lens technology continues to grow along with the needs and wants of our patients.  More of them are seeking the best vision possible out of their lenses. While high end, compensated lenses more than fill their needs. They have also become viewed by many as a necessary evil. I believe with better understanding, almost all will see them as a necessary good with a few minor drawbacks.

In the relationship between the lab and the optician, nothing is more agreed on than the aggravation of redoes and remakes. No one wins when a job has to go back to the lab to be redone.

Above all else, the patient has to experience a delay in receiving their new glasses. Often these delays can harm your reputation as an eye care professional. When the delay goes on long enough it could cost you return business and even force a refund and lost sale.

The hard part has been done. Your marketing efforts paid off and you have a new patient. Now comes the next step, what do you to keep them coming back year after year?

Retaining your patient base might be the most important job you have. Your goal should always be to turn a first-time buyer into a stark raving mad fan of you and your business. The good news with this is that it will not cost much. You will not need an expensive marketing program to accomplish this.

It all starts with you and your staff. Make a few changes and focus on a few tasks and you will see your retention numbers grow.

Here are 8 keys to improving your customer retention.

Across the USA and the world, many of us find ourselves at home or with reduced hours due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We should all absolutely take this extra time to finally get some of those things at the bottom of our to-do lists done around the house, make more memories with our loved ones, and do a little bit more self-care as well.

Even after adding all of that and more into our schedules you may find yourself with the need for something to do. Why not add in some extra optical training for yourself too? Essilor and Shamir have provided two great options that are free for a limited time to help scratch your optical itch during these times.

Essilor has announced the release of the third wave of Transition Signature GEN 8 lenses. This follows the first 2 waves of GEN 8 released in July and October of 2019. This is great news as the roll out for GEN 8 is now complete.

We also have a sneak peek of the new Varilux Comfort Max progressive lens that you won't find anywhere else!

Online marketing for your optical business has never been more important or easier than right now. Social media platforms are here to stay and have been one of the largest influences on our culture in the last 20 years. With all of the various social media services and tools available though, it can seem like a daunting task to market your business successfully even if you're familiar with the basics.

Luckily for you, IcareLabs is here to help! This blog will cover several of the best free and paid options to help ensure your optical dispensary has a great online footprint so your patients can easily find you.

The power of a brand name cannot be underestimated. You see it every day in what sells with your frame selection. Companies and corporations fight for brand name recognition as they understand the value.

A global survey found that 59% of respondents prefer to buy new products with a brand that they know. No other product in our lens industry has a more recognized name than Kodak Lens. While Kodak cameras are no longer hot sellers thanks to the smartphone, the name continues to hold on.

Marketing your optical business in 2020 is vastly different than what it was even just 10 years ago. No, we don't have flying cars like The Jetsons quite yet, but almost everyone has on-demand access to just about any information they want 24/7.

So what does that mean for your optical? How do you make yourself stand out in the sea of white noise that is the Internet? We are going to take a look at 3 tried-and-true options to accomplish your 2020 optical marketing goals in this blog.

2020 is undoubtedly the year of all things optical. IcareLabs wants to make sure you not only meet your optical sales goals for the year, but we want this to be the best year you have ever had!

You, like many others, use the new year to make resolutions and/or promises to make changes in your life. Making a resolution is the easy part, sticking with it is another thing altogether. This is why there is a waiting line at the gym in January and by June you would be surprised if you had to wait for a machine. The number one reason that resolutions fail is that we treat them like a sprint and not a marathon.

We try and make too many or too big of changes that are just too hard to stick with. Let's focus on some small doable goals for 2020. Keep it simple and have some fun. 

We have just finished an update with our state-of-the-art surfacing equipment which enables us to surface the Varilux X Series lenses in-house. With this, we are now able to produce the full line of Varilux digital products in-house along with the full line of Crizal products.

This enables us to be your one-stop-shop for Varilux and Crizal products!

IcareLabs is proud to now offer the new CR-39 semi-finished NuPolar mirrored lenses. What does this mean for your practice? Consistent colors assure you that your patients will be happy with their glasses and redos will always match.

Let's dive into the NuPolar line to see exactly what makes them such a great product for patients looking at polarized lens options.

Always striving to better ourselves so we can better serve our customers, the myIcareLabs.com customer portal has just finished a big upgrade! You asked, and we listened.

After logging into your myIcareLabs account, you can process your check payments with us 24/7. Using our new eCheck option has no extra costs or hidden fees. Simply enter your information and your payment will be posted to your account the next business day.

In the ever-growing world of digital single vision offerings, Essilor and Kodak Lens have just released information on their new designs.

These great new lens options are designed to help patients deal with digital eye strain and visual fatigue.

Let's take a look at each and see what they bring to the table.

Point-of-purchase materials are a key factor in any optical shop to help drive sales. Usually referred to as POP, there are several varieties you can choose from.

No matter which type of POP you pick, they are almost always a net positive for your dispensary. One thing is sure though, if a patient doesn't understand how a product benefits them then they are considerably less likely to purchase it.

Let's take a quick look at the common types of POP and the best ways to utilize them to help increase your optical sales.

Here at IcareLabs, we understand that every job we process is more than just a number. Every lens tells a story. It's your patient that we get to help recreate perfect vision for!

Our customer service team understands this too, which is why we've geared our entire company around being able to provide your practice with the best service possible.

We are able to maintain a 98.3% answer rate. When our accounts call us, we answer!

What is blue light?

Blue light is at the bottom end of the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelength and the highest energy. Blue light is often referred to as violet or violet light. Blue light is just above ultra-violet (UV) in the light spectrum.

Blue light is defined as visible light ranging from 380 to 500 nm. In some circles, blue light is broken down further into 2 segments – Blue-Violet (280 – 455) and Blue-Turquoise light (455-500nm).

Before we get to breaking down the blue light products that we carry here are a few key points you need to know.

In 2018, the US lead the world in sunglass sales. These sales generated over $5.8 billion dollars in revenue.

A 2016 survey found that about 86% of Americans wear sunglasses on a regular basis but only about 12% of Americans wear prescription sunglasses.

Why are we not capturing a larger portion of this lucrative Sunwear market? Where are we missing out? 

You asked and we listened! After getting feedback from our customers that they would like lenses with blue light protection that can be demo'd for patients; IcareLabs is proud to now offer our new Blue Guard lenses that will be able to do just that!

Let's take a look at availability and how this new line will fit into our other house brand and name brand lens offerings. We'll also breakdown what your patients can expect with this fantastic new option providing protection from harmful UV and blue light.

SeaVision was founded in 1991 and has been manufacturing innovative and market-leading prescription dive masks and swim goggle lenses for divers and swimmers all over the globe.

In 1994 when one of our employees and his son were scuba diving off the coast of Florida, he noticed the brilliant colors that his underwater camera had captured. Research showed how light and filters affected the human eye and he came up with a way to use Magenta and Yellow lenses in his dive mask that brought a whole new underwater experience into view.

Fortunately, he worked for one of the largest independent optical lens laboratories in America and was able to put his ideas into production. This allowed other scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers that same opportunity to see the underwater world in a whole new light.

For the last 8 years, we have been proud to offer you our premium house brand IceAR anti-reflective coating. Over this time, it has become a staple product for many of our customers offering a durable 2 year warranty value proposition for their patients.

We are excited to announce the addition of our latest in-house non-glare coating, IceAR with Silk!

With all of the options available in lens designs and materials, we truly are working in the golden age of optics. Never has there been more options and custom-designed products to cover the vast array of our patients' needs. From specialized Single Vision products for young readers to fully compensated digital progressives offering a wide field of views.

While we get plenty of training on these new products I find that many of us question when to use high-index lenses and why. Many do not understand the benefits and fear the drawbacks. 

In this brief article, I hope to clear up some misconceptions while giving you some parameters of when to use high index. 

Here at IcareLabs we believe that every practice should have easy access to the resources they need whether they have an account with us or not. That's why we've redesigned and launched the new IcareLabs Resource Center. Your one-stop shop for all of your ECP and POP needs!

Our family had no idea how drastically all our lives would be forever changed when my grandfather, John W. Payne, founded IcareLabs 51 years ago. In 2008, John was posthumously inducted into the Lab Division Hall of Fame. I am beyond honored to announce one of his sons, and my uncle, Skip Payne, will be inducted into the Lab Division Hall of Fame in 2019!