IcareLabs Blog

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.