IcareLabs Blog

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!

In September of 2018 we took a look at the differences between fixed corridor vs. variable corridor digital progressives. While this is a good explanation of how to get the best out of each, fixed corridor progressive lenses can give you a new arsenal to keep your patients happy. 

We are seeing more of our customers choosing fixed corridor for their patients progressive glasses and for good reason. This blog will give you best practices when fitting your patients with fixed corridor progressives. The first step is using a product that allows for fixed corridor length. Shamir, Seiko, and our house brands (Legacy and Heritage) give you this ability.

Transitions photochromic lenses are an excellent way to increase patient satisfaction while also helping to increase your optical revenue and positively influence future patient experiences. It's a win-win for both you and your patients!

As a wholesale optical lab, we do not wake up in the morning hoping we can create issues for you and your patients. It is actually the exact opposite. We love the fact that by partnering with you and your practice, we're able to provide your patients with the best vision possible.

The Baby Boomer Eyecare Market

In these days of growing competition, both online and in your local market, it’s important to constantly be thinking about and looking for new ways to stand out in the crowd. You may have worked very hard to establish your practice with the basics – great customer service, competitive pricing and quality products. Wonderful! Do you find that doesn’t seem to be enough? Do you still see your numbers shrinking?

As we’ve suggested in this blog before, it might be time to look for other markets you can go after. Are you learning about Millennials and how to attract their business? Have you taken a look at putting some focus on sports eyewear or children and youth?

In this article, I’d like to make you aware of a great series of feature articles that Vision Monday is presenting that focuses on another important segment of the market, senior citizens. Millennials have taken the lead as the largest group of consumers. However, Baby Boomers are not far behind. And as this segment ages, the number of Americans at risk for age-related eye diseases is increasing.

Today's Informed Consumers

The way business is being done now is very different from the way business was done even ten years ago. Today, 90% of Americans spend at least two hours a day on digital devices. When a consumer is interested in a product or service, they look it up and do research on the Internet. Don’t you? They are a more informed consumer than the customer of the past.

In doing business today, it is not just marketing campaigns with a message of, “We offer this great product, buy it”. It is about building relationships, getting the patient to be interactive with you as their eye doctor, with your staff and with the products you offer. It is necessary to inform the patient as to “Why” what you and your company offers is for them.

We use the frame shape number for a few different things. The first thing we do with the frame shape number is to build the shape with the A and B measurements provided.

After we have done this, we will calculate the ED based on the new shape. Why do we do this?

Lets take this job for example. I have a +2.50 -1.50, with a 58 PD in a 53-21 Drill mount frame.

Frame Measurements have become increasingly important with the addition of digital lens designs. As a lab, we have lost control over the safety margin on lens cutout. The lens designer gives us all of the parameters to process the lens, and we are at their mercy.

Our biggest issue has been the Frame ED (Effective Diameter) measurement. Unfortunately, many have been misinformed about how to measure this.

When we get a job that hasn’t cut out for a customer, what we often see is the LD, or Longest Diameter, placed incorrectly in the ED box. One of the top results in a quick Google search even incorrectly explains how to measure it.