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Call us for more information: 800.800.1550 www.dactechnologies.com

PROFESSIONAL

OpticalLabProducts.com

O P T I C A L

L A B

2019

& IDEAS

FOR THE LABORATORY

JULY

PRODUCTS

P R O D U C T S One-to-One • PG 4

GENERATORS:

A LAB’S MVP

PG 6

Product Focus• PG 12

Lab News • PG 15

GIVE YOUR LAB THE

ULTRA ADVANTAGE • • •

OpticalLabProducts.com

Essential products for every lab.

Superior coatings for all substrates 44R: The fastest, most reliable automated coating machine

www.ultraoptics.com

JULY 2019

1

Camber Steady lenses produce a

“WOW” EFFECT when wearers use them for the

FIRST TIME IMAGE STABILITY FOR COMFORTABLE VISION Camber Steady is a premium progressive lens with a unique architecture. On the front surface, the Camber lens blank provides the ideal base curve, offering unbeatable visual quality. The back surface utilizes a personalized progressive design developed using an innovative and patented method, Steady, which dramatically reduces lateral distortion.

Steady Camber is a trademark of Younger Mfg. Co.

100%

OF WEARERS REPORTED

93%

OF WEARERS REPORTED

86%

OF WEARERS REPORTED

FULL SATISFACTION WITH CAMBER STEADY

ADAPTATION PERIOD 1 DAY OR LESS WITH CAMBER STEADY

MINIMAL LATERAL DISTORTIONS WITH CAMBER STEADY

For more information on Camber Steady and inMotion lenses visit iotamerica.com ADAPTED TO NIGHT DRIVING inMotion single vision and progressive lenses have a specific night vision zone that helps compensate the refractive error difference that occurs between day and night. This provides the wearer with superior visual acuity, reducing stress and visual fatigue so common when driving at night.

Night myopia optimized zone 180º distance zone 45% larger intermediate* zone 14.6% less astigmatism *Four meters focus distance.

inMotion is a trademark of Indizen Optical Technologies.

In The Lab

CONTENTS

JULY 2019

OPINIONS

OPINIONS 01 02

In the Lab

04

One-to-One with Daniel Crespo

Rollins on Marketing

FEATURES 03

Advisory Board Member Profile: William Heffner, IV

06

Generators: A Lab’s MVP

08

Driven by Doctors

10

COLA Spring Meeting: Networking, Learning and Of Course, Golf!

12

Digital Lens Designs in Reach

RUNDOWN 13 15

New for the Lab Lab News

EDITORIAL STAFF VP, EDITORIAL | John Sailer • JSailer@FVMG.com EDITOR | Cara Aidone Huzinec • CHuzinec@FVMG.com ART DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION & WEB MANAGER | Megan LaSalla • MLaSalla@FVMG.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS | Eric Rollins • EricRollins@Comcast.net ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS | Ronald Cooke, Jr. • William Heffner, IV Don Kirman • Kenneth Lin • Tom Schroeder • Neil Torgersen

BUSINESS STAFF PUBLISHER | Terry Tanker • TTanker@FVMG.com VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING | Debby Corriveau • DCorriveau@FVMG.com REGIONAL SALES MANAGER | Eric Hagerman • EHagerman@FVMG.com

www.Facebook.com/OpticalLabProducts www.Twitter.com/OLP_Magazine www.Linkedin.com/company/Optical-Lab-Products

OpticalLabProducts.com

DESIGNING & PROCESSING Go Hand in Hand

S

o much goes into lens processing, from deciding lens designs and what software to use to which generator is the fastest...

How do labs figure this all out?

Lens Processing Technology is this month’s theme, and this issue gets you up to speed on new equipment and lens designs.

LENS DESIGNS: Do not miss One to One with IOT’s Daniel Crespo, who talked not only about lens designs and what the company can offer labs, but also about his start in the industry and the company’s relationship with Younger Optics. OLP also features OptoTech in this month’s Product Focus (see page 12).

The German company, known for its sophisticated equipment, also has its own line of lens designs that are coincidentally used by this month’s featured lab, Black Lab Optical (see page 8). Started by a group of ODs for doctors, this lab based in Phoenix aims to provide ECPs with convenience, customer service and first-class lens designs to prescribe patients. As owner/ COO John McManus said, “Being doctor owned and doctor

driven is where we feel we found success. We target the needs of the practice with options of top tier quality products.”

PEOPLE: FEA Industries’ Bill Heffner is featured as this month’s Advisory Board member profile (page 3) who talked about staying competitive, working with his father and how the lab is positioning itself for growth. For those who missed COLA’s Spring Meeting in April, The Vision Council’s Lori Treadwell did a great job of re-capping this annual event.

TECHNOLOGY: And where would lens processing technology be without generators? On page 6, OLP outlines the latest from Schneider, Satisloh, Coburn and OptoTech, plus customer feedback. On pages 13 and 15, respectively, please find the latest products you can use for the lab and lab news.

Cara Huzinec is Editor of OLP. CHuzinec@FVMG.com.

JULY 2019

1

OPINIONS

Rollins on Marketing

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS...

Open the Door headaches to sore backs, and other complaints. There have been other academic studies reporting increased production and decreased error rates for patients with computer glasses versus those without.

At this point he mentioned he didn’t think there was really any evidence that blue light-blocking lenses really do anything.

By Eric Rollins

A

few weeks ago, I was talking about lenses with an executive for a smaller eyecare group. I mentioned that most practices do very little with computer lenses despite the fact that most experts report that about 70% of patients exhibit some form of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), ranging from blurry vision to

I told him that he hadn’t really been looking very carefully for evidence. There are plenty of resources that support both the correct refractive powers of computer lenses and the blue light suppression for both cumulative blue light damage as well as circadian rhythm interruption hurting our sleeping patterns.

A few years ago, I was talking with an optometrist about prescribing anti-glare lenses (or,

as we used to say, AR-coated lenses) from the chair.

He told me that he didn’t really like to “sell” from the chair. I responded, “I don’t blame you.

You didn’t get into this profession to ’sell’ things that people don’t need, and neither did I.” I commented that he was wearing anti-glare lenses himself, so why was he wearing them? He said, “I wouldn’t have a pair of glasses without an anti-glare treatment.”

These are missed opportunities: for us, who benefit from the sale of these products, and for patients, who benefit from the refractive and protective qualities. Anti-glare lenses are pretty much a “given” in this day and age, but if you have customers who have low percentages of them, it’s time to pay them a visit and figure out why.

Computer lenses are another story. Most practices have less than 5% of their lens products in computer lenses, despite the fact that 70% of their patients need them. Start by getting a pair yourself and using them.

Then, make sure your customers are using the lenses and recommending them for their patients. The fact that we sell so few pairs of computer lenses means that we could be caring for our patients’ visual needs at a much higher level.

Eric Rollins is a veteran of the optical retail, frame and lab industries. His firm, Rollins Consulting, LLC, consults with the three Os to improve profitability. Email him at EricRollins@Comcast.net.

DIGITAL VISION TAKES OUR CUSTOMERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL Do you feel stuck at your lab with manual workarounds? Do simple tasks seem harder than they should be?

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Our industry leading system provides tools to streamline, automate, and integrate all aspects of your business. Our consulting partnership ensures you're never left wondering what to do next.

As an independent company focused solely on the optical lab industry, our only agenda is your success.

Phone: 503.231.6606 Fax: 503.231.4943 6805 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland, OR 97202

www.thedvi.com

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JULY 2019

OpticalLabProducts.com

William Heffner, IV

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

OLP WELCOMES

WILLIAM HEFFNER, IV, AKA “OTHER BILL,”

TO ITS ADVISORY BOARD

“Being able to keep costs manageable while giving customers the turnaround they want is a goal of labs, and trying to stay cost effective in today’s economy is exactly what we are trying to do.” – BILL HEFFNER HOME IS WHERE THE LAB IS When your father opens a lab in the basement of your childhood home, the lab really is home.

“Over the years, I’ve spent time at one point or another doing most jobs around the lab. After being involved with the lab business to that extent, it becomes less of knowing I wanted to go into it to it simply being a part of who I am,” Heffner said.

And so went Bill Heffner’s childhood, working downstairs during summer vacations taping and de-taping lenses for his father William Heffner, III, owner of Morton, PA-based FEA Industries, Inc. Heffner, who is FEA’s director of marketing, IT and sales, has worked there full time for 10 years.

“Quite a lot has changed, not only in the lab, but also in the landscape of the industry,” he said. “We’ve accomplished a lot in terms of making the lab more productive and better able to move it into the future.”

THE LAB FEA processes about 1,500 jobs per day and recently installed RAX systems (“Problem Solver” OLP, May 2019) to streamline inventory management. The lab also recently changed its lab management software to DVI. “This is much more involved than simply adding a piece of equipment, as it changed our entire lab process and our entire way of doing things,” Heffner said. “While this kind of switch is always painful at first, it’s something that will allow us to better streamline our growth and processes so we can continue innovating into the future.”

OpticalLabProducts.com

FEA also processes its own brand of lenses. The Eagle range, Heffner said, offers ECPs high-end digital lenses minus “the bells and whistles.”

“The most important thing is that lenses are easy for patients to wear — they don’t usually come back when patients are properly fit with the designs,” he said. “Let’s face it: This is probably the most important statistic about progressive lenses that most people care about.”

Apart from Eagle lenses, Heffner says FEA stands out in the very nature of its independent status.

“We really are independent, and by that, I mean we don’t handle most of the insurances or any of the larger branded products,” he explained. “We’re more focused on giving great products at great prices and not just offering the same old branded products that everyone has.”

In addition, Heffner said that as more independent labs close, it offers larger independent labs such as FEA more opportunity to offer ECPs what they want.

“Being able to stay competitive is becoming harder, both due to the industry and the economy in general,” he said. “Being able to keep costs manageable while giving customers the turnaround they want is a goal of labs, and trying to stay cost effective in today’s economy is exactly what we are trying to do.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY And what’s it like to work with his father?

Admitting that it’s complicated like “any relationship,” Heffner said they each bring their own ideas and collaborate when things overlap.

“Having a clear separation of work and not-work helps to build a successful working relationship,” Heffner said. “When you’re in the lab, being related doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not the job goes out. At the end of the day, we need to make sure our customers are happy, and that’s what we all strive for.”

JULY 2019

3

ONE TO ONE: DANIEL CRESPO

Q&A Q: How did you get your start in the optical industry?

A: I come from the academic

America talks to OLP about the company’s lens designs, private label lenses and what it offers wholesale labs.

This idea of independence was very ingrained in our DNA, and the U.S. is the country where you see more independent labs by far. I would say there is a more diverse ‘ecosystem’ of labs of different types and sizes

side of optics. I got my PhD at the University Complutense of Madrid, working on light propagation through diffraction grating systems as part of the Applied Optics Research group.

Q: When and why did

Q: What was your role

IOT decide to open an office in the U.S.?

in the founding of IOT and why did you want to start a company like IOT? A: IOT was founded by professors Alonso and Quiroga, and me, as a spin-off from the University Complutense of Madrid. We wanted to use the knowledge we had in optics and keep doing research and development, but we also wanted to work for the industry and face the real challenges and pressure from customers, beyond the purely academic and sometimes too bureaucratic work at the University. This combination of passion for innovation and a sense of adventure was the founding impulse for IOT, and I believe that it is still what drives all of us in the company.

4

The president of IOT

JULY 2019

than any other parts of the world. U.S. labs were much more receptive to the technologies and services that we had to offer.

A: We started working in the U.S. in 2008. IOT started as a company that would offer independent technology to independent optical laboratories. This idea of independence was very ingrained in our DNA, and the U.S. is the country where you see more independent labs by far. I would say there is a more diverse “ecosystem” of labs of different types and sizes than any other parts of the world.

U.S. labs were much more receptive to the technologies and services that we had to offer. We do about 50% of our worldwide business in the U.S.

Q: What services do you offer to wholesale labs?

A: It is our declared mission to offer the technologies and services our partners need to manufacture the best lenses in the world. That means that besides the lens design software, we try to provide a very complete range of services, which are as important — or more — as the designs themselves. We get involved with each lab in helping them improve their free-form process until the lens quality is as good as it can be. This requires a constant interaction between the lab and our technical team that is based here in the U.S. We also help them build the right portfolio of lenses, providing marketing materials, training, and everything they may need to sell these lenses to their customers with a high level of confidence. In this regard, each lab works very closely with one of our business development managers who are also based here in the U.S.

In addition to lens designs, we also now offer our own independent photochromic lenses, IOT Neochromes. We will soon be offering more technologies that laboratories need to create other types of high-added-value lenses. We want to expand the range of technologies and services we offer so a lab can get an independent solution from us for any high-added-value lens they may want to make.

Q: Talk a little bit about IOT’s digital lens designs. How many do you offer and what excites you about the technology you use?

A: We offer a very broad portfolio of designs, plus we are constantly developing bespoke designs for customers who have special requests. We offer all imaginable types of progressives, with different levels of personalization or optimized for different lifestyles. We offer optimized single vision lenses, with reduction of oblique aberrations, or optimized for wraps or sports. We offer designs for indoor use, with different approaches to near-intermediate powers to use with computers

OpticalLabProducts.com

or in an office space and lenses for pre-presbyopia, digital bifocals and more. We are known for the variety and flexibility of our lens designs. Some people call our lens designs “the lenses that will never say ‘no.’” One of our most recent developments is Evolens, a lens design that will use feedback from users and machine learning to try to provide systematically the best possible lens for each wearer.

This is very exciting. We are trying to put the lens designs in touch with the wearers at the store, and I believe great improvements can come from that.

Q: Why should a lab consider producing private label lenses?

What do labs need to consider?

A: Thanks to free-form and digital lens manufacturing, any lab can have the tools in house to make the best lenses in the world. The lenses they can make with their equipment and our software and support can match anything else that is out there in the market. All lenses produced by any lab are, in a sense, private label. The quality of a lens is decided by the quality of the lens designs, the quality of the materials, the quality of the process, the quality of the treatments and the quality of the services provided by the lab. A lab must take care of all these elements, and every lab produces their own, unique lenses even if they use the same machines or designs, branded or not. Our job at IOT is to help each lab make the best lenses they can.

Q: When a lab comes to IOT wanting to purchase a design,

what is the process from the initial meeting to the launch stage of the product?

A: Labs don’t purchase designs from us. I like to see it more like we make lenses together. The process typically starts many months before they start making any lenses. We start talking about their business, about the kind of lenses they would like to make and the portfolio they want to build. We try to understand their business and their unique needs to see how we can help them. We then normally choose together a set of lens designs that will best match their business strategy, or we develop a new, custom design if they need it. We then start working together on the quality of the lenses and typically perform some quality tests, visit the lab a few times and fine tune some aspects of the process until the quality of the lenses is good. In parallel, we create custom marketing materials to help them train their sales force and get ready to launch their new lenses. Then the lenses will go to the market, and we periodically review the quality and the need to improve or introduce new products. We aspire to creating long term relationships with our customers and being a useful resource that helps them be more successful.

Q: Any specific success stories come to mind?

Perhaps one where you really took a customer’s idea and turned it into a reality that was either unique or challenging in any way?

A: Some cases where we had to develop special lens designs for

OpticalLabProducts.com

children or for low vision are some of the most remarkable.

What I appreciate the most is that some of our customers have been with us for more than 10 years now, and we have gone together through successive waves of improvement and new products, and we feel like those relationships are beneficial and important for both sides. We like to see our customers as partners, doing business together, and hopefully they like to see us that way as well.

Q: Do you have any metrics to show the success of labs adding this product?

A: We know that our technologies are as good as any in the industry. Last year, Caledonian Optical, one of our partners in the U.K., won the prestigious Optician Award for lens product of the year for a progressive lens we developed with them called ARC Steady. Other nominees for the award included the Varilux X series.

Q: How did IOT’s relationship with Younger Optics come about?

A: We met the owners of Younger Optics in 2010. We immediately felt that we shared many of the same values and same ideas about what we wanted to do in the industry and the way customers should be treated. IOT needed investment in the company to grow, and Younger Optics seemed like the perfect match. So, after brief discussions, Younger Optics became the majority owner of IOT, replacing some venture capital we had previously. We agreed from the beginning that

IOT would still be managed and act as an independent company. We have a great partnership where Younger Optics provides a lot of help and support but also gives us freedom to pursue our own goals.

Q: IOT launched InMotion driving lenses last year. What’s unique about this technology compared to other lenses designed to wear while driving?

A: The most unique feature is that it incorporates an area to help with night myopia. A significant percentage of drivers will experience this condition at night, and it will reduce their visual acuity when they need it the most. The inMotion lens should help them with better vision for night driving, becoming a very good lens for driving in all conditions. The technology behind inMotion lenses was recently presented at ARVO in Vancouver, the leading global conference for research in ophthalmic and vision. Because IOT was founded by university professors, it has always been a value to share our learning to help further academic research.

In fact, our other two founders, Jose Alonso and Juan Quiroga, recently co-authored the book Modern Ophthalmic Optics, which is now available from Cambridge University Press. It is our hope that this work will help advance and increase understanding of ophthalmic optics as it exists today

JULY 2019

5

FEATURE STORY:

LENS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

GENERATORS:

A LAB’S MVP

High-speed generators are becoming more prevalent as labs strive to stay competitive with digital surfacing and satisfy demand by providing increased throughput and reducing the amount of needed inventory. Here’s a close-up of advanced generators from four manufacturers: Schneider Optical Machines, Coburn Technologies, OptoTech and Satisloh.

COBALT NXT

COBURN TECHNOLOGIES With on-board engraving of semi-visible marks and auto calibration, the Cobalt NXT from Coburn is capable of producing simple shapes and alphanumeric using a secondary axis, eliminating the need to purchase additional equipment. The Cobalt NXT also features increased speeds for higher throughput and an interrupted cut process to eliminate the need for a granulator. An on-board cold mist/dry cut also reduces the need for expensive waste management.

6

Coburn Technologies • 800.262.8761 • CoburnTechnologies.com

Satisloh North America, Inc. • 800.866.5640 • Satisloh.com

OptoTech • 877.412.8350 • OptoTech.US

Schneider Optical Machines • 972.247.4000 • Schneider-om.com

JULY 2019

OpticalLabProducts.com

VFT-ORBIT 2 SATISLOH

Capable of producing up to 100 lenses per hour, the VFT-orbit 2 offers options such as a second fast tool, an additional cribbing spindle and a proprietary tool holder with an integrated cooling system. The VFT-orbit 2 includes an ultra-fast milling spindle for cribbing and rough surfacing, a milling tool interface for 14-tooth cutter, enabling a higher revolution speed; an orbital-aligned, LEDilluminated working chamber for easier service and maintenance; a V10 B-axis and electrical plug-in system; and a VFT fast tool for accuracy, smoothness and “cut-to-polish” processing. A mechanical engraving and intelligent bypass loader upgrade is also available.

“The auto calibration feature has simplified keeping the machine in tune. A couple of soft key taps and some data input get you off and running quickly.

It will run multiple passes automatically without having to input new data or touch the lens should the first pass fall out of tolerance. The software is very easy to understand, and of course, the increased speed makes this thing a beast.”

- David VanDyke, senior director of laboratory operations, Rx Optical, Kalamazoo, MI.

HSC MODULO XTS

SCHNEIDER OPTICAL MACHINES Powered by two motors, the HSC Modulo XTS accelerates up to 40 times the gravitational acceleration. It also features a new, robust milling spindle for heavy duty processing and intelligent algorithms for more efficiency. The HSC Modulo XTS incorporates an encapsulated milling chamber to contain swarf and transfer it out of the machine. The automated Calibration and Verification System (CVS) ensures tools are calibrated independent of an operator and comes equipped with an on-board global interface to connect to the Modulo system.

“The primary reason we chose the XTS, and have subsequently ordered two additional, was that we wanted the substantial throughput gain from essentially the same footprint as our Schneider Smart A. We almost instantly realized the throughput gain and the XTS has been an absolute workhorse in our digital surfacing operations. The XTS has improved our throughput without sacrificing quality, and its robust build is evident in the machine’s ability to maintain calibration throughout our production shifts.”

- Adam Cherry, president/owner, Cherry Optical, Inc., Green Bay, WI.

FLASH-A NG OPTOTECH

Set to make its official debut at Vision Expo West, OptoTech’s FLASH-A NG generator includes a new Beckhoff AX-Servo controller that drives the high dynamic fast tool in combination with a faster lens spindle, a hanging milling spindle for high removal rates, an optimized loader and a new cribbing feature for lenses smaller than 50mm. Together with a revised high precision machine base, the FLASH-A NG can achieve premium surface qualities in reduced time.

“We installed the FLASH generator in April and we’ve done some incredibly high powers through it, as much as 12 diopters of prism. With the FLASH generator, we are basically 99% digital now, running no more than five to six conventional jobs per week. It is capable of handling lenses quicker and produces better finishes so polishing can be reduced. The generator is easy to use, just requires a morning set up for calibration and is less time consuming, easy to operate and easy to understand. The FLASH generator has really been incredible.”

- Chuck Bohler, general manager, Robertson Optical, Columbia, SC.

OpticalLabProducts.com

JULY 2019

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LAB PROFILE:

Black Lab Optical

DRIVEN BY DOCTORS Phoenix-based Black Lab Optical is run by doctors, for doctors.

By Cara Aidone Huzinec

H

aving grown up in New England, John McManus’ nostalgia for the famous tavern and bakery The Black Dog is evident in his lab’s name.

Located in Phoenix, doctor-owned Black Lab Optical was started in 2015 by McManus and three local optometrists: Larry Holle, John Chrisagis and Jack Hostetler.

“They approached me with an idea to open a lab and that’s what we did,” McManus, owner and COO, told OLP. “It’s kind of like a co-op. We developed a legal concept where doctors can buy in, and right now there are 14 of us.”

Equipped with machines from

8

JULY 2019

the industry of what a practice

To be competitive, we must provide the best products and care for our patients. Making doctors profitable and opticians successful is

needs,” McManus said.

And how does an independent

Black Lab Optical’s goal and being ‘doctor owned and doctor driven’ is where we feel we have found success.

lab make its way through a changing industry?

“To be competitive, we must provide the best products and care for our patients,” he said.

MEI System and OptoTech, Black Lab Optical occupies a 3,000 square-foot space and has 17 employees. It’s capable of processing 150 to 200 jobs per day including AR, which comprises about 80% of the lab’s jobs.

Black Lab Optical also processes its own lenses. Black Extreme 4K lenses, an OptoTech lens

design, is a backsurfaced digital lens available. Other digital lenses in the lab portfolio include single vision lenses for sports, driving, computer and office. In addition to OptoTech, Black Lab uses some designs from IOT and processes lenses from Shamir and Kodak.

Making doctors profitable and

“Being doctor owned, we have learned the nuances in

and amazing customer service

opticians successful is Black Lab Optical’s goal and being ‘doctor owned and doctor driven’ is where we feel we have found success. We target the needs of the practice and being smaller and nimble, our team definitely separates us.”

OpticalLabProducts.com

It’s kind of like a co-op. We developed a legal concept where doctors can buy in, and right now there are 14 of us.

Being doctor owned, we have learned the nuances in the industry of what a practice needs.

What’s Running at Black Lab Optical?

SURFACING EQUIPMENT • OptoTech OTB 80 CNC Blocker • OptoTech SmartLAB Powerline • OptoTech Easy Twin CNC Polishers (two) • OptoTech OTL 80 CNC-A Laser Engraver

FINISHING

AR

• MEI EZFit Edger (two)

• OptoTech OAC-75 Vacuum Box Coating System

• National Optronics 7Ex Edger • National Optronics 6ES Edger • National Optronics Dimension Tracer • Tomey TL-7000 Auto Lensometer

Black Lab Optical • 623-850-8156 • BlackLabOptical.com

OpticalLabProducts.com

JULY 2019

9

BUSINESS

NETWORKING, LEARNING AND OF COURSE, GOLF! The Vision Council’s Lori Treadwell re-caps this year’s annual COLA meeting.

By Lori Treadwell, Consultant to The Vision Council

T

he 2019 COLA Spring Meeting, held April 24 to 26 at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, CA, had a diverse group in attendance, including both independent and corporate wholesale and retail optical labs and lab vendors from all aspects of the industry.

More than 100 participants enjoyed the resort, meetings, extensive networking opportunities and, of course, the golf. Members of The Vision Council’s Emerging Optical Leaders were nominated to attend the COLA meeting by senior executives, and this year, The Vision Council introduced its first ever FastTrack Leadership Summit to kick off the event. Following the Fast-Track Leadership Summit, the COLA meeting commenced with the steering committee meeting and golf tournament held on Thursday.

outstanding individual who actively contributes to the advancement of the optical industry. Last year’s honoree, David Rips of Younger Optics, presented the award to Grossman, the co-founder of Simplify Optics and a former COLA Board technology chairman, secretary-treasurer, vice-president, program director and president. Grossman also carries the distinction of being the first father-son honoree: His father Neil Grossman received the award in 2002.

“I am honored to have received the Goodfellow award from my peers,” Grossman said. “Many incredibly gifted and selfless people have come before me to receive this award, and to be included in such a group is a life-long dream.

It is always appropriate that the Goodfellow Award is presented at the COLA meeting, which is one of the most well attended and influential Left to right: David Rips, Keith Grossman optical meetings that occurs in the optical and Steve Sutherlin industry. As a former COLA board member, I take a lot of pride in seeing this organization TEE TIME flourishing, growing and bringing together people The golf tournament began with plenty of time for from all across our industry.” attendees to gather and network with old friends over lunch.

This year, every hole was sponsored by at least one vendor. Further GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS sponsorships were seen throughout the tournament, with Essilor On Friday, meetings were held to assist all companies with a special committing to fund the drink cart, Quantum sponsoring lunch and the emphasis on California due to the complex issues that affect their cocktail hour held at the Goodfellow Banquet, and Satisloh providing businesses. Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, started the everyone with a sleeve of golf balls. The highlight of the tournament meeting by welcoming everyone. was allowing every golfer a chance to shoot the 9th hole, which en“The COLA meetings provide value to attendees by curating a tailed a shotgun with a dart attached to a ball. Almost all golfers endspace that encourages collaboration and fosters professional growth,” ed up on the green on this very difficult hole! she said. “As the industry continues to evolve, the opportunity to connect with others and confront individual challenges affords attendees GOODFELLOW AWARD an overwhelming sense of community and support.”

The annual Goodfellow Banquet was well attended with more than 90 industry members gathering to honor Keith Grossman, the recipient of this year’s Goodfellow Award, which recognizes an

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JULY 2019

Bart Foster, strategic advisor to The Vision Council, presented a recap of the successful inaugural Fast-Track Leadership Summit.

OpticalLabProducts.com

Later on, Rachel Ayars, consulting practice manager for Paragon Vision Sciences, explained to attendees the value and focus of the Emerging Optical Leaders (EOL) group. Ayars encouraged attendees to reflect on their own organizations and find rising stars that would benefit from joining EOL.

It is always appropriate that the Goodfellow Award is presented at the COLA meeting, which is one of the most well attended and influential optical meetings that occurs in the optical industry. As a former COLA board member, I

talked about recruiting and retaining critical talent. The last presentation of the day was from Roger Arrowood, a retired safety compliance director from Essilor. Jeff Konstanzer, general manager of Costco Optical Lab, National City, volunteered to be the hapless lab owner who is surprised by an OSHA inspector. Arrowood took the group through a typical lab and highlighted some of the obvious violations that could be avoided.

To close out the meeting, the networking lunch allowed attendees to connect and reflect on the information they gathered from each day. The 2020 COLA Spring Meeting is scheduled for April 23 to 24. To view the full slate of topics and presentations from this year’s event, visit TheVisionCouncil.org/COLA.

take a lot of pride in seeing this organization flourishing, growing and bringing together people from all

COLA GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

across our industry.

ArmouRx Coburn Technologies DAC Deliver-It Essilor Eyenavision Ocuco Practical Systems, Inc.

- KEITH GROSSMAN, SIMPLIFY OPTICS

Rick Van Arnam, The Vision Council’s regulatory affairs counsel, gave a government and regulatory affairs update, focusing on the California Prop 65 ongoing issues. Additionally, Michael Vitale, The Vision Council’s senior technical director and Lens Division liaison, provided an update on The Vision Council’s Safe Use Determination application and how it will affect ongoing business practices in California.

Quantum Santinelli International Satisloh Schneider Optical Machinery Signet Armorlite Ultra Optics VSP Younger Optics

Steve Swalgen from Santinelli assembled a panel of industry experts to speak. The “Rightsizing Your Lab-Thinking Strategically, Investing Tactically” panel focused on labs that complete 150-750 jobs per day, including new, independent labs. Discussion circled around how to best evaluate a business model while not over investing in large capacity equipment that is designed for floor plans and throughputs of much greater multi-shift environments.

Following the panel, Scott Axonovitz from Visibly gave the group an update on telemedicine advances including the development of online refracting and how it can affect the industry.

Further, Hedley Lawson of Aligned Growth Partners along with Monica Alvarez of Costco Optical and Gina Rosenberger of VSP

OpticalLabProducts.com

Left to right: Steve Swalgen, Santinelli International; Jeff Grumbling, OptoTech; Robb Kohn, A&R; Al Bednar, Coburn Technologies

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DIGITAL LENS DESIGNS IN REACH Known for its advanced lab equipment, OptoTech’s product portfolio also includes high-tech lens designs.

W

ith more than 30 lens designs, OptoTech offers them in all zone-specific designs, such as balanced, distance and near priority. Available in the U.S. since 2010, these designs are offered through customizable lens design software, each one being able to accept position-of-wear measurements and variable assets.

“OptoTech has seen it all when it comes to lens designs, and that makes us the most experienced designer on the market and translates to the best customer satisfaction,” said Damian Hernandez, process

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“OptoTech is in the unique position to know more about lens design than any other LDS on the market because of our history as a machine company.”

– Damian Hernandez, OptoTech

and labs can work with ECP customers to create custom designs.

OptoTech also offers varifocal designs, progressive lenses that can be designed specifically for the customer.

engineer and lens design specialist at OptoTech. “It is important to remember that our company is a quality precision optics machines company, and OptoTech is in the unique position to know more about lens design than any other LDS on the market because of our history as a machine company.”

“OptoTech’s mapping software and machines allow us to verify correct products right after they’re created, while other LDS companies rely on labs in the field and other industry mapping systems to test their products,” Hernandez said. “All of this leads to second-hand information and uncontrollable variables.”

OptoTech also offers specialty designs for pilots, driving,

emerging presbyopic and anti-fatigue designs, plus digital round segments of any requested size and dual-sided designs. All designs are made in house, and OptoTech controls all variables that can often create “unrealistic designs or simply non-repeatable results,” Hernandez said.

OptoTech’s lens design software is available to labs regardless of its brand of equipment,

OptoTech Technologies Inc. 877.412.8350 OptoTech.US

OpticalLabProducts.com

NEW For the Lab

OLEO-GOLD BLOCKING PADS FROM PSI

Made for edging hydrophobic and oleophobic lenses, Oleo-Gold Blocking Pads from Practical Systems, Inc. include a hybrid adhesive to prevent slippage with a high-density foam carrier with torque resistance. The adhesive on the gold-tabbed side is for the lens, while the red side secures it to the block. Oleo-Gold pads are available in a range of shapes and sizes. For more information, contact Practical Systems, Inc. at 800.237.8154, LookToPSI.com.

BPI’S UV-BLUE BARRIER 440 TINT

This pale yellow lens tint has faint green overtones to block high energy violet and blue visible light as well as the upper portion of UVA. The light yellow/green tones do not “overly affect normal color perception” or interfere with traffic signal recognition, according to the company. For more information, contact BPI at 800.225.5274, CallBPI.com.

LENSPRO PRECISION BLOCKING PADS FROM DYNAMIC LABS

Designed to be used on uncoated and most AR-coated lenses, LensPro Precision Blocking Pads include an adhesive that provides a secure hold and remove easily without leaving residue. Dynamic Labs’ adhesive enables LensPro pads to be thinner than standard blocking pads, according to the company. For more information, contact Dynamic Labs at 888.339.6264, DynamicLabs.net.

PHANTOM RESEARCH LABORATORIES INTRODUCES TWO PADS

Two new pads from Phantom Research Laboratories — Ultra-Grip Anti-Slip Pads and Ultra-Hold Anti-Slip Pads — provide secure adhesion to oleophobic premium lens coatings. Apply pads to clean lenses before applying blocking pads to prevent twisting and slipping off-axis during edging. Ultra-Hold Anti-Slip Pads are 28 mm by 33 mm and are available in 500 pads per box; Ultra-Grip Anti-Slip Pads come in two sizes, 26 mm x 40mm and 19 mm x 40 mm, also in 500 pads per box. For more information, contact Phantom Research Laboratories at 800.225.5559, PhantomResearch.com.

OpticalLabProducts.com

JULY 2019

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GIVE YOUR LAB THE

ULTRA ADVANTAGE NOW AVAILABLE IN DRUM SIZE

“The 44R was highly recommended to us by another lab. Ultra Optics is the absolute easiest company to deal with from the purchasing process through installation.

We are thrilled with the 44R. Our yields are virtually 100%. This might be the best machine in our lab.”

- Paul Faibish, President at Plastics Plus

SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY NEED.

GET IT RIGHT. EVERY TIME.

Superior coatings for all substrates and essential products for every lab.

The 44R is the fastest and most reliable automated coater, offering the best coating yields in the market.

• UV-XBT scratch-resistant coating offers unmatched adhesion to all lens substrates • AST-1 scratch-resistant coating is the hardest coating in the optical industry • ClearView is specially formulated to offer the

• Capable of running lenses on or off the block to best fit your lab’s coating needs • 130+ lens-per-hour throughput • Best process technologies give you the lowest breakage rates

best lens preparation prior to backside coating • ConsisTint will eliminate white spots and blotchiness for your tinting department Ask Ultra Optics about our other chemistry offerings such as lens cleaner, ink remover, dye additive and IPA.

ultraoptics.com | 763.488.6030

18UO-41950

LAB News

SATISLOH HOSTS 12 TH NORTH AMERICAN SERVICE SUMMIT; RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES More than 110 members of Satisloh’s Technical Service Team attended the company’s 12th annual Service Summit at its headquarters in Germantown, WI, in May. The three-day event covered topics such as quality and consistency in service operations, hands-on machine diagnostics and troubleshooting and electrical power quality requirements. Courses were taught by colleagues and vendor partners.

An opening night dinner celebrated Satisloh’s top three employees who were nominated as part of the company’s SEE (Striving to Exceed Excellence) Program. The three honorees were Lauren Castle, customer service; Nona Baitemal, technical phone service; and Matt Wall, field technical service.

“We are proud that in 2018 we received close to 100 SEE recognition notes where our customers took the time to write to us and call out a Satisloh employee that went the extra mile to solve their need,” said Rich Hughes, president and CEO of Satisloh North America.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are available for the

ISO TC172/SC7 Ophthalmic Optics Plenary meeting, Nov. 4 to 8 in Dallas. Visit http://bit.ly/2I9PcfW for more information or contact Michael Vitale, senior technical director and Lens Division liaison, at MVitale@TheVisionCouncil.org.

THE VISION COUNCIL ANNOUNCES SUMMIT SERIES

Bart Foster, strategic advisor to The Vision Council, is facilitating the 2019 Summit Series, a series of events to address the need to provide learning, mentoring and networking within the optical industry.

The first event took place during the COLA Spring Meeting in April. The Fast-Track Leadership Summit provided future leaders with tools and techniques for a productive career. In June, the Optical Innovation Summit hosted leaders to discuss and debate changes affecting the industry.

Two more events will round out the series: the Marketing Insights Summit (Oct. 15 to 16), a two-day session for marketing executives, and the Executive Leadership Summit in partnership with the Aspen Institute, which is for leaders who seek to build their skill set to inspire and impact their teams will take place in November.

OpticalLabProducts.com

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LAB News

VELOCITY SPIN COATER WINS AWARD FOR COBURN Coburn Technologies’ Velocity Spin Coater was named “Best Value Enhancer (LAB)” by the CiO Vision Plus Awards. One of 17 awards given annually by the Cairo International Optical Fair’s VisionPlus Awards, the Best Value Enhancer award recognizes equipment based on utility, innovation, technology and value enhancement.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this award for our Velocity Coater, especially considering our focus on developing innovative technology for the laboratory market,” said Alex Incera, president of Coburn Technologies. “The Velocity Coater has become the market’s preferred spin coating system, optimizing the yield in many of the world’s largest labs.”

OKIA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE; SHOWCASES NEW PRODUCTS Highlighting two new products — BD8 - Bio Plastics and Bio Polybag — OKIA recently launched a new website to further customers’ focus on eco-friendly products and showcase its green solutions. BD8 - Bio Plastics is a 100% biodegradable plastic that can be naturally broken into carbon, water and bio mass. The Bio Polybag is a biodegradable plastic eyewear bag that breaks down naturally in five years. The website also includes facts about pollution and tips on how to be environmentally conscious. Visit Sustainability.OKIA.com.

IOT RESEARCHERS PRESENT POSTERS AT 2019 ARVO MEETING

Researchers from IOT presented two posters at the 2019 annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), April 28 to May 2, in Vancouver, Canada. Jose Miguel Cleva, vice president of technical operations, and Dr. Eva Chamorro, director of clinical research, presented “Theoretical Model to Predict Useable Areas of a Progressive Lens for Reading and Computer Screens” and “Mesopic Visual Function Attained by a Lens Specifically for Night Driving.”

“We were so excited to be part of one of the most important ophthalmic congresses in the world,” Chamorro said.

“We presented work related to our driving lens, inMotion, and a study related to how wearers look through progressive lenses.”

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OpticalLabProducts.com

infinite gray Polarized: NuPolar Infinite Gray lenses contain a high-efficiency polarizing filter to block blinding glare in all daylight conditions.

Photochromic: NuPolar Infinite Gray lenses contain newly developed UV-responsive photochromic dyes that continuously adjust from lighter than Gray-1 to darker than Gray-3.

When it’s cloudy or shady, the lenses are light gray, with as high as ~35% Transmission.

When it’s sunny and bright, the lenses become dark gray, with as low as ~9% Transmission.

Photochromic performance is influenced by temperature and UV exposure.

Availability: Polycarbonate SFSV Base Curves: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Talk to your Younger Rep today about NuPolar Infinite Gray polarized lenses.

ORDER NOW FROM YOUNGER OPTICS: 800-366-5367 NuPolar is a registered trademark and Infinite Gray is a trademark of Younger Mfg. Co.

Smooth Blocking The new alloy-free technology High Stability High Quality

Alloy-free

Natural-curing

Easily removable

CCB m dulo With the development of the alloy-free and high-performing thin film blocker, CCB Modulo, SCHNEIDER shows its investment in green technologies. The groundbreaking innovation meets the rising requests for an economical, sustainable and environmentally friendly production.

Parallel processing steps combined with an intelligent block piece concept and highly accurate lens positioning ensure lowest costs, good stability and high quality.

Even high prisms can be processed with the brand new, powerful Eco-Fuse Technology (EFT). The freedom to use any blank type makes the CCB Modulo the perfect solution to satisfy all blocking requirements.

As an integral part of the Modulo concept, the CCB Modulo seamlessly fits into the Modulo Line as well as any other industry-proven Rx and freeform installation.

www.schneider-om.com