By Julie Bos, Contributing Editor
Friday, August 23, 2024 8:30 AM
When Michael Walach retired from his 30-year optical career at age 57, the last thing he expected was to start another business. Yet he followed an opportunity and his intuition—and today, countless full-service labs around the world are certainly glad he did. In 2004, Walach started Quest Vision Care Specialty Lab, a unique and highly specialized “lab’s lab” that has earned its claim to fame for making prescriptions that are either too tough or simply out of range for other labs. Today, as Quest Vision Care Specialty Lab celebrates its 20th anniversary, the lab deserves every ounce of pride for what they’ve accomplished as they continue serving full-service wholesale labs from more than 17 countries around the world. Here’s a look at some of the lab’s major accomplishments over the last 20 years.
By Staff
Friday, August 16, 2024 12:24 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Optics today announced it will expand access to the network of distributor labs for its Unity Lenses, a move that the company said will offer
VSP network doctors greater freedom of choice in fulfilling Unity Lenses portfolio orders for their patients. The company noted that it will continue its investment in growing the Unity Lenses portfolio, which currently includes single-vision, task-oriented and progressives lens products, but shared that it will be reducing its own
VSPOne lab operations as Unity distributor labs assume order fulfillment.
By Mary Kane
Friday, August 2, 2024 8:30 AM
NEWARK, N.J.—The 22nd edition of
Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical feature brings a class of leaders, changemakers and trailblazers who are as impressive and exciting as it gets. This past week,
Vision Monday announced its
2024 roster of 40 women of accomplishment who were selected by
VM’s editors from several hundred submissions. For this year’s Annual Report,
VM considered women who are making a difference in the following five categories: Executive Suite, Rising Stars, Mentors, Innovators and Above & Beyond.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 12:24 AM
NEWARK, N.J.—The 22nd edition of
Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical feature brings a class of leaders, changemakers and trailblazers who are as impressive and exciting as it gets. Today,
Vision Monday is announcing its 2024 roster of 40 women of accomplishment who were selected by
VM’s editors from several hundred submissions. For this year’s Annual Report,
VM considered women who are making a difference in the following five categories: Executive Suite, Rising Stars, Mentors, Innovators and Above & Beyond.
By Julie Bos, Contributing Editor
Sunday, July 21, 2024 2:00 AM
When Michael Walach retired from his 30-year optical career at age 57, the last thing he expected was to start another business. Yet he followed an opportunity and his intuition—and today, countless full-service labs around the world are certainly glad he did.
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Sunday, July 21, 2024 1:59 AM
Alaska has beckoned innovative and strong-minded individuals to set up businesses for centuries. Renowned for its outdoorsy ruggedness and beauty, in recent years it has also become a hub for technological advancement and an entrepreneurial-friendly place to start a business. With a keen understanding of an underserved Alaskan eyeglasses market, Robert Wiktorowicz, chief operations officer at Anchorage-based Custom Eye Lab Inc., and his business partner, optometrist Charles Vojta, set up the only full-service, independent prescription lab in the state.
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Sunday, July 21, 2024 1:58 AM
CLEARWATER, Fla.—More than 55 customers and industry partners gathered here in April for three days of education and networking at the annual Ocuco www.ocuco.com Innovations User Group Meeting (UGM). The meeting featured nearly 30 workshops and presentations including Innovations and Lablink Development Road Maps, Strategies to Enhance Online Presence, and Specialized Personnel Recruitment.
By Andrew Karp, Group Editor, Lenses & Technology
Sunday, July 21, 2024 1:57 AM
GREEN BAY, Wis.—Cherry Optical Lab (COL), based here, announced that it is the first and only independent lab producing the Varilux XR Series (Varilux XR and Varilux XR Track) lenses on-site in the US. This strategic move demonstrates its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to its customers and their patients, the company said in a statement.
By Staff
Friday, May 31, 2024 12:21 AM
HENDERSON, Nev.—
Doctors Optical Labs, an optical laboratory owned and directed by independent eyecare doctors, has announced that their acquisition of
See Better Optical Labs, a full-service digital lab, has been finalized.
By Sarah McGoldrick
Sunday, May 12, 2024 12:54 AM
With more than four million pairs of eyeglasses thrown away each year, efforts to reduce the environmental impact and create more cost-efficiencies have prompted optical industry leaders and innovators to reevaluate how products are made and delivered to consumers.
By Staff
Monday, April 15, 2024 12:27 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
The Vision Council hosted the 2024 Lab Leadership Forum on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California. Nearly 100 optical industry executives gathered for the event, providing a platform for education, networking and recognition among optical laboratory professionals. The Lab Leadership Forum, tailored specifically for The Vision Council’s optical laboratory members, offered a comprehensive agenda aimed at fostering professional growth and collaboration among industry peers, according to an announcement from The Vision Council.
By Sarah McGoldrick / Contributing Editor
Sunday, April 14, 2024 2:45 AM
This year, Cherry Optical Lab is marking 25 years as a successful, family-owned, independent optical lab. During that time, the Green Bay, Wisconsin-based wholesaler has established an enviable reputation for its excellent quality of work and forward-looking approach to technology.
By Staff
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 12:18 AM
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.—Ralph L. Woythaler, a veteran wholesale laboratory owner and executive, passed away peacefully here on March 14, 2024. He was 81 years old.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Operating in a very competitive environment, optical labs need to ensure that the products they are producing are accurate, easily adaptable and error-free. Arizona-based GSRx recently upgraded its 12,000 square foot facility to ensure that they tick all three of these boxes.
By Sarah McGoldrick / Contributing Editor
Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:03 AM
The optical industry has never been more competitive. Consumers want the most advanced and effective technology, while eyecare providers want to ensure this is delivered on-time and with the highest level of patient satisfaction. Operating in this environment, optical labs need to ensure that the products they are producing are accurate, easily adaptable and error-free. Arizona-based GSRx recently upgraded its 12,000 square foot facility to ensure that they tick all three of these boxes.