Monthly Archives: March 2023

Optical Dynamics: 35+ Years of Innovation

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You’ve chosen Optical Dynamics technology for superior lens quality and profitability, but you may not know that we’ve devoted more than thirty years to research and development that has moved the industry forward.

The company began in 1985 at the University of Louisville Polymer Chemistry Department. A research chemist had a vision to make a superior optical lens direct from liquid plastic to the finished Rx using the speed of radiation curing. Five years of meticulous research commitment led to our first in-office lens system released for sale in 1990.

As the technology took hold, ten additional years of development and the registration of over 100 additional worldwide patents led to the release of today’s Q-2100 Digital Lens System, a small tabletop unit scalable to almost any practice. All new product advancement including mold designs, lens materials and coatings, has been developed to grow and expand with this platform.

Our history of university affiliated research continued with the development of the in-office nanoCLEAR AR unit. Through a partnership with the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville our team of engineers and chemists took the latest nano particle technology available creating an anti-reflective coating system for the optical professional. This revolutionary product launched in 2005 continues to push the bounds of in-office lens production innovation, even today.

Optical Dynamics expanded in 2007 with launch of Vision Dynamics Laboratory. Our full service lab runs our proprietary products in an expanded range catering to the needs of Q-2100 owners and to other optical professionals who may not be ready for an in-office system but who want to benefit from our quality lens products at competitive prices. With a unique expertise in glass lens surfacing, our laboratory also caters to the fulfillment of glass jobs for optical labs around the country.

Product advancements in 2010 and 2011 included the development of both optical and non optical related products. Recent grants from the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and Kentucky SBIR continue our pursuit of new materials, coatings and films as seen in the recent release of clearLIGHT PLUS, sunSMART, ultraSUN and nanoCLEAR AR V.

2012 through 2017 were more big years with the release of permaTINT pretinted  SFSV lens blanks, sunSMART SFSV lens blanks, colorMAG shooting lenses, sunSMART II grey & brown and ultraSUN II, with Vision Dynamics Laboratory named as the largest independent glass lens processor in the United States.

2018 saw the addition of two exciting new monomers to the product line. blueVIEW defense blue light lenses are sunglasses for your indoor world. amplifEYE color bust sun lenses are like HDR for for your eyes!

2019 through 2022 additional lab products were introduced including CR-39, Trivex and 1.67 permaTINT, clear and photochromic 1.67 FT-28 semi-finished lenses, and a new digital surfacing line to process glass.

Let’s see what 2023 brings!

Don’t Forget about nanoGUARD, Extra Tough Scratch Coat

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Location number Six on your syringe stand is for the nanoGUARD product, a super scratch resistant coating that can presented as a premium add-on to lenses produced with your Q-2100 Digital Lens System.

nanoGUARD™ Hardcoat is a dual–layer coating consisting of one layer nano-XT  plus one layer nanoGUARD™ applied to both the front and back surfaces of the lens. nanoGUARD™ uses Optical Dynamics’ nanotechnology in-mold coating method to form a nanocomposite layer on the surface of the finished lens.

nanoGUARD is great for patients that have a tendency to scratch traditional lenses. Order nanoGUARD coating today!

Why Add In-Office AR to Your Practice?

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Presenting an AR option to your patients is more important than ever with AR coating applied to nearly 30% of all lenses sold. In a survey by the Vision Council of America, 60% of all eyewear consumers have a desire to purchase an AR lens but many consumers are not even offered the choice. According to 20/20 Magazine, “improvements have reached a point where AR is not just a “nice to have” but many consider AR a necessity. Sure wearers can live without it, buy why should they?”

The patient benefits of AR coating are undeniable. By minimizing surface reflections AR coating improves vision when dealing with overhead lighting, computer screens and window glare. Vision during night driving is also improved reducing the glare of oncoming headlights. AR lenses are more cosmetically appealing for improved patient appearance. Not offering an AR option is a missed opportunity to improve patient satisfaction and even more importantly, a missed opportunity to grow your practice profitability.

Past barriers to providing an AR option such as quality, delivery time and cost, are eliminated with the in-office nanoCLEAR AR unit. Designed for use with the Q-2100 Digital Lens System, the nanoCLEAR AR unit processes lenses that are anti-reflective with a hydrophobic/oleophobic top coat in under 90-minutes. Using nano particle technology, our breakthrough design is a small table top system that easily installs in most offices. It is clean quite and automated for easy operator integration. Priced about the same as an edger, the nanoCLEAR AR unit is an affordable and profitable addition to any practice.

For Your Patients: For Your Practice:
Clearer, sharper, vision More AR sales for more revenue
Durable, long lasting performance Reduced lab bills for more profit
Easy-to-clean surfaces Quicker delivery for more repeat business
Fast same-day service if necessary Improved quality for high patient satisfaction

Managing Managed Care

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Managed care plans continue to gain ground impacting the way optometric practices do business. Although managed care plans often increase the number of patients through the door, they can be confusing and restrictive.

When choosing to accept a managed care plan, always do your homework. What are the reimbursement rates, can I make lenses on my Q-2100, can I use my lab of choice, how do they impact my second pair sales…are all questions that must be evaluated before you make your acceptance decision.

Many times reimbursement rates may not be sufficient to truly cover your time and services. If the insurance plan requires that you use a specific lab, service time and turnaround may be negatively effected, impacting your practice reputation. Second pair fees have typically been a way to generate additional revenue with managed care clients, make sure the new plans don’t impact the pricing structure you have in place. You must really understand the pros and cons before signing up.

It is also important that you evaluate your existing plans with the same criteria. Once your numbers are verified, you should consider dropping those that net the lowest. Focus on seeing patients from the most profitable plans available. Concentrate on providing excellent patient education on the plans they participate in and make sure that have all the details before the exam. Treat them well and then try to up sell to options beyond the plan to provide exemplary care and vision.

Focus on the 2nd pair option when dealing with managed care patients. With your Q-2100 digital lens system you are perfectly positioned to truly capture and make accessible to your patients the 2nd pair choice. Utilize your in- office capability to competitively price the additional pair as an affordable and desirable option. Whether a pair of photochromics, sunwear or a spare pair, you can meet their needs and profit from managed care plan acceptance.