DIGITAL EYE LAB CELEBRATES A DECADE OF SERVICE
Founded in 2007, optical lab was first in the U.S. to be 100 percent dedicated to digital lens fabrication
HAWTHORNE, N.Y. (April 28, 2017) – In 2007, with a team of 12 people and one fabrication line, Digital Eye Lab (DEL) opened its doors with a single mission: to fabricate digital lenses. It was the first fully automated optical lab dedicated solely to digital lens fabrication in the United States.
Today, while other labs have since followed in its path, DEL, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, continues to lead the way and pioneer new technologies for its growing, loyal customer base.
The Beginning
Not only was digital surfacing a relatively new technology in 2007, but Digital Eye Lab also was an entirely new business sector for its then parent company, Optical Distributor Group (ODG), which later merged with ABB OPTICAL GROUP in 2012.
"We were not just introducing a new product type, but an entirely new category of products. We were innovating and changing the optical landscape," said Scott Pearl, managing director of DEL, a role he has held since the lab opened 10 years ago. "Serving as our customers' first entry point into digital lens fabrication, we were able to provide them with convenient, affordable access to this new technology by shortening historically long wait times, minimizing re-dos and working with prominent manufacturers to offer a choice in lens materials and designs. We understood from the very beginning that digital lenses were the better option for both patients and practitioners."
Before overseeing the growth of Digital Eye Lab, Pearl was a former independent sales agent who worked with many laboratory businesses in the United States. He helped build DEL's new state-of-the-art facility from scratch, promoted the lab's unique value among ODG's existing clients to help grow the business, and helped to establish key relationships with lens and equipment suppliers, all keys to DEL's initial success.
From day one, customers knew they could turn to DEL for the latest digitally surfaced designs, which, in 2007, included Seiko Succeed Internal Freeform and Shamir Autograph. Just a few short months after opening, Digital Eye Lab was selected by Indo to be the first U.S. manufacturer of its LifeMade Line of progressives, one of many firsts for the independent lab.
New product offerings quickly followed. Digital Eye Lab’s propriety Digital 5.0 personalized lens series was introduced in 2008, followed by the Digital Master Series in 2013, a proprietary lens line with more than 50 material and coating combinations. Also in 2013, DEL was named as one of Vision Monday’s Top Labs for the first time, an honor the lab has achieved every year since. Another milestone for DEL was being selected as one of the first authorized labs to produce Shamir’s Glacier Plus UV anti-reflective coating in 2014. In 2015, DEL became a Unity enabled laboratory, accepting VSP orders and fabricating Unity lenses and coatings in house.
"We are continually investing in new technologies to deliver superior, cutting-edge lenses and a choice of quality brands so that eye care professionals can exceed the expectations of their customers," Pearl added. “We are just getting started.”
DEL Today
With an experienced team that has grown more than 10 times its original size and two facility expansions, DEL today has fabricated more than 2.5 million pairs of lenses and is the second-largest independent lab in the U.S.
The DEL portfolio of lens designs and coatings includes a large selection from Shamir, Seiko, and Unity, as well as its own proprietary product line. The lab's new bluDEFENSE Comfort Portfolio offers flexible solutions for digital eye strain discomfort, and its new MOD2 lens design builds upon one of its best performing progressive addition lenses to provide even better performance and acuity.
"As the demands of eye care practitioners and patient expectations evolve, so too will DEL’s product offerings continue to expand," Pearl said. "We’re here to help eye care professionals distinguish their practice while adding value to their bottom line."
More growth opportunities are on the horizon for the 10-year-old lab following ABB OPTICAL GROUP's acquisition of Diversified Ophthalmics in 2016.
“We are very excited to add the Diversified labs into the ABB family,” Pearl said. “Our teams are looking forward to the new opportunities we will have as we develop our unified lab network to better serve eye care practitioners.”
As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, DEL is debuting a new logo with a more modern look that also better aligns with the ABB OPTICAL GROUP brand. The lab also plans to unveil limited-time, special 10th anniversary offers to select customers and commemorate its history with various initiatives throughout the year.
Pearl added, “We look forward to celebrating the milestones that got us here and are excited for what the future has in store for us.”
ABOUT DIGITAL EYE LAB
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Digital Eye Lab is a division of ABB OPTICAL GROUP dedicated to producing eyewear that is truly personalized to patients’ needs and lifestyles. Founded in 2007 as the first fully automated optical lab dedicated to digital lens fabrication in the United States, DEL prides itself on utilizing the most advanced technologies to deliver innovative products, extraordinary service and the fastest turn-around times in the industry. The independent optical lab has been named one of Vision Monday’s Top Labs every year since 2013. For more information, visit DigitalEyeLab.com, “like” Digital Eye Lab on Facebook at Facebook.com/DigitalEyeLab or follow @DigitalEyeLab on Twitter.
ABOUT ABB OPTICAL GROUP
ABB OPTICAL GROUP is a leading distributor of optical products in the United States. The company supplies nearly two-thirds of eye care professionals across the country with brand name contact lenses, fully customizable gas permeable and custom specialty soft contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses and more. ABB OPTICAL GROUP also offers practice building services such as pricing strategy tools, business reviews, annual supply staff training and e-commerce solutions. For additional information, visit ABBOptical.com.