retrospectives

In-House Labs Finding a Home

A timeless topic from October 1990

In October 1990, as many dispensers began bringing finishing and surfacing in-house, EB asked optical retailers: “Are in-house labs a wise investment?” Following are some of the pros and cons opticians noted about in-house labs.

INCREASED PROFITS

“I more than doubled my profit margin and had a 106 percent increase in business in the first year after I installed a full-service lab. It was awesome.”

— Larry Morrison, Pearle franchisee/owner, Winter Haven, Fla.

SAVING MONEY

“Even in a small practice, you will recoup your investment in the first year. By the second or third year, you'll certainly reap the benefits of the machinery—just in the patients you didn't lose because you could provide fast service.”

— Robert Samit, OD, owner of three superopticals and five private optometric practices in Maryland and Virginia

USE CAUTION

“Nothing in [optometrists'] schooling prepares them to manage one. For them to deal with the manufacturing problems of production as well as the training, retention, and scheduling of personnel involved is a very difficult undertaking.”

— Ken Hollis, eyecare consultant, Rocky Mount, N.C.

COMPUTERIZED PATTERN-MAKERS

“They may cost you an extra quarter, but they'll save you many a lens. You get the right pattern for every job with them.”

— Gary Goodman, optician and managing dispenser, Clearsight South Opticians, Ft.

Lauderdale, Fla.

COST COMPARISON

“Progressive lens blanks cost us $21 a pair and take an optician 15 minutes to cut and edge. Let's say the final cost to us comes to about $30. That same lens from a wholesale lab would cost $65.”

— Richard Kattouf, optometrist and management consultant, Ohio

FULL COVERAGE

“It allows me to employ one or two more opticians. I keep them busy in the lab, but I can pull them out of the lab if they're needed in the dispensary. It's a nice luxury to have.”

— Dan Donahue, president-elect, Opticians Association of America

MANY PROBLEMS

“Owning a lab means dealing with problems. There are breakdowns, shutdowns, labor problems, and management problems to contend with.”

— Norman Marquis, owner, Norman's Optical Image, Marblehead, Mass.

QUALITY CONTROL

“It helps maintain my sanity. If anything goes wrong, I have only to look at myself or my employees to correct it.”

— William G. Hendrix, OD, owner of two optometric practices in Raleigh, N.C.

CENTRAL FULL-SERVICE LABS

“We don't have to worry about delivery people not showing up and the delays caused by product being sent back. Our retail stores dictate to the lab regarding quality. It's worked out really well.”

— Gary Scheer, president of nine-store Alveron Optical Company, Tucson, Ariz.