10-Years Later and Still Serving Customers Better with the Q-2100 Digital Lens System

Steve B., optician and Q-2100 user in Arlington Heights, IL, shares stories of how the technology keeps his customers coming back, with the Q-2100 Digital Lens System they installed and purchased in 2008.

“A patient came back to our offices after taking his prescription to LensCrafters and asked how much progressive lenses with anti glare and photochromic would cost and how long it would take to get them. Well, not only was the patient shocked by our practice saving him over $200.00 on his pair of lenses due to our Arlington Eye Buildingin-house manufacturing, he had his lenses in 2 hours instead of one to two weeks. I now have a patient for life.”

“I told a patient their sunSMART photo lenses with reflective free glare protection would be ready for them in a couple of hours. They said jokingly, OK, we will see you in a couple of weeks. When I called them that afternoon and said come on in and get your new glasses, they said they were never going back to their old time optical location, they just were beyond words. Another patient for life!”

Lens Troubleshooting

Question: I have a lens that is “speckled”, what can cause this and what can I do?

Possible Causes: Lens was removed from the annealing stages and cooled under running water while too hot. If a lens is cooled under running water while hot, it may have a “speckled” appearance caused by localized differences in the rates of cooling of the lens surface. These speckles can be numerous, irregularly shaped.

Solution: The lenses should be air cooled for several minutes before running water over them. If you have a “speckled” lens, returning it to the annealing oven for 5 to 10 minutes will usually eliminate the issue

From the First Q-2100

Julianne West started her career with Optical Dynamics Corporation in 1999 at the launch of the Q-2100 Digital Lens System. As Client Care Manager, she was privileged to welcome the very first Q customers to the Optical Dynamics family and helped build a company culture committed to exemplary customer support.  During her time in this position, Julianne worked to develop long lasting relationships with clients while providing the foundation necessary for continued success with the technology. Even now, 16-years later, she looks forward to seeing customers who have been part of their user family since the beginning and enjoys welcoming new faces to their team.

As the sale of the technology grew and expanded to international markets, Julianne was promoted to International Sales Coordinator overseeing client relations across the globe. An exciting time for the company and her personally, Optical Dynamics expanded equipment sales to over 30 countries and developed distributorships that remain in place today. It has been an ongoing pleasure for Julianne to represent Optical Dynamics at trade shows in the US and abroad including MIDO, SILMO, ICEE and most recently at Abiooptica in Brazil and IAPO in the Philippines. In this position she enjoyed meeting the unique needs of an international client base and counts many of them as friends.

With the launch of the nanoCLEAR AR unit in 2005, Julianne was promoted to Director of Sales Administration and expanded duties to include social media development. Julianne’s favorite part is managing the blog. This fun and informative section is a way for existing clients stay “in the know” and help new clients in their decision making process.

Ask Your Lab for permaTINT

Vision Dynamics line of pre-tinted semi-finished single vision lens blanks include poly, 1.67, and Trivex,  available in 2, 4, 6, and 8 base.

permaTINTlogoOur pre-tinted line of SFSV lens blanks for sport, computer, and driving prescriptions integrate easily in conventional and digital surfacing lines. Our proprietary colorization process applies a uniform density layer on the front surface of the blank and includes a hard coat. Surfacing does not affect the color layer so the finished lens has consistent edge-to-edge color performance.

Ask your lab for permaTINT products today!

Let’s sell more nanoCLEAR AR!

With the nanoCLEAR AR unit, AR sales should steadily increase. Traditional barriers to selling AR such as delivery time and reliability are eliminated with your in office system. According to a member of our user family in Columbus, MS, his AR sales have increased almost 80% with the addition of the nanoCLEAR AR unit.

Start by educating your staff on the benefits of AR coating. Everyone should understand the AR product.

  • By minimizing surface reflections, AR coating improves vision when dealing with overhead lighting, computer screens and window glare
  • AR lenses are more cosmetically appealing for improved patient appearance
  • Vision during night driving is improved reducing the glare of oncoming headlights
  • AR lenses provide improved visual comfort and reduces eye strain and fatigue

Make sure that all staff member are wearing the nanoCLEAR AR product. This way they can share their own experiences and use their lenses for demonstration when interacting with the patients.

Start the education process during the eye exam. As an Optometrist, your recommendation matters. If you share the importance of the product when in the exam room, the patient will be more likely to add when in the dispensary.

Utilize the above tips and watch your AR sales soar.

Optical Dynamics Welcomes ROA Specialist Hospital to the User Family

roa1-watermark-cropOptical Dynamics is happy to welcome ROA Specialist Hospital to the user family. Located in Lagos, Nigeria, ROA has evolved from an out-patient mission hospital to a full-service and well equipped medical complex. First came the outpatient surgery center and clinic; which now boasts 5 operating theaters and 7 consultation rooms. A 24 bed inpatient facility quickly followed with the addition of a dental clinic and an optical clinic in 2016.

roa-clinic-1The ROA Eye Center is one of Nigeria’s newest Ophthalmology/Optometry practices. At The Eye Center, they pride themselves in providing quality eye care for the whole family in a professional, friendly environment. Their doctors and Optometrists provide routine eye exams and specialize in the treatment of Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy as well as elective refractive and cosmetic surgery. The optical lab boasts a full array of lab services, including lenses produced with the Q-2100 Digital Lens System with nanoCLEAR AR. For the convenience of their patients, they have an American Standard state-of-the art facility and have flexible evening and weekend hours as well as fully stocked optical and up-coming contact lens departments.

Technical Support Specialist, Bob Miller

Optical Dynamics is proud to have as a team member, Robert “Bob” Miller, Technical Support Specialist and 30+ year optical industry veteran. Bob’s duties include trouble shooting equipment difficulties, production questions, and in Louisville training of Q-2100 owners from across the globe.

Bob began his early career at Southern Optical in Louisville Kentucky where he apprenticed and was awarded his Optician’s License. Deciphering the ins and outs of dispensing and fitting eyewear to patients, it was during his time in retail that Bob learned the importance of listening to customers and responding to their needs. He understands that customer satisfaction and practice profitability are directly related to the quality of the lens products produced.

From dispensing optician, Bob took his interest in lab work to a regional contact lens facility where he worked directly in manufacturing and technical support. Through his years in production, Bob developed a keen understanding of troubleshooting and the necessity of keeping up with recommended equipment maintenance schedules and cleanliness of the work environment.

In 1996 Bob’s love of people called him back as he took a job with Optical Dynamics Training Department, installing Q-2100 units across the US and around the world. His training duties took him to interesting destinations including Cyprus, England, Italy and Belgium.

In 1999 Bob put his suitcase away (although we make him pull it out every once and awhile) and accepted the in office position of Technical Support Specialist. Bob has spent the most recent years of his career interacting with customers and assisting with issue resolution. Bob’s patience and experience in almost every aspect of the industry from dispensing to manufacturing is an asset to any Optical Dynamics’ customer needing technical support.

3 Unique Ideas for Small Business Success

Eyecare Business March, 2016 Ally of the Independent by Samantha Toth REPOST

  1. Fight Commoditization – Many people are turning to the internet for eyewear. Something that used to be available only through an eyecare professional is now widely available. The problem is that eyewear is a medical device – and quality varies widely. Features for one brand are not identical to another…By explaining to patients that you carry quality products and by offering your in-person expertise and follow-up you can fight commoditization. Unique 2
  2. Carry Unique Products – When you carry unique products that are sold only at independent practices, people can’t go online or down the street to try to buy the same thing for a slightly lower price. Instead they will ask you questions and advice, creating a dialogue about their needs and concerns. It’s easy to stand out when others can’t compete with what you are offering
  3. Inform Your Customers – Because you carry unique products you may have to explain to patients why your specialized eyewear is work the price…You have to supremely knowledgeable and who them that products from different companies are not identical