The short answer is that our lab is a very lean, low overhead operation. All of our lab managers are owners with equity in what operates essentially as a cooperative, so each node in our logistics cycle works towards the same goals. We also don't spend on anyone to stand by a phone, and outside of occassional mailings or trade shows we don't advertise. Low costs for our accounts is at the center of everything we do.  

Yes! We use a very different logistics system than other optical labs. Rather than have a single massive location, the Core Lab operates with a "hub & spoke" arrangement of small labs that work together. In general, our lens generators send jobs to numerous forward finishing labs, cutting down costs and turnaround time. 

We invoice and take payment weekly, each Wednesday, for the jobs made the prior week. One can opt to pre-pay for a given amount of work, pay each invoice directly, or have it automatically withdrawn via ACH. Your account manager will help setup the method you prefer.  

Via our much beloved "Optical Report". Each morning at 7am you'll recieve an email from your lab foreman; your single point of contact that is physically at the lab that oversees your finished jobs, that outlines every job we have on-hand. There is also a "job notes" section that outlines any issues, large or small, with the glasses we are making. Being able to keep your patients and staff in the loop each day is one of the most popular aspects of our service. 

 We started with two machines and an old mentor desperate to save her optical shop. A few months later – she told a friend.

Since then, over 90% of our customers have come via word of mouth or direct referral. And while we are still quite small by lab standards, our referral program has been a key to our growth. Starting 30 days after we send your first job, you’ll receive 45 days of free lab work for every new account you mention us to. Yes, you read that correctly. Make sure to have them use your business’s name when they reach out to us.

No. That said, they are made using the same machines and software as any other lens. With our roots in materials engineering, we are able to go deep into the algorithm that produces any lens. By using these software instructions as a base, we can produce a lens that is extremely similar to many well-known designs. This is especially true for designs that have now been around for several years. 

Like any technology, this has limitations. For example, we can't reliably produce highly specialized designs (such as newer Definity, Golf, or X-Designs).  

We know that branded designs are a valuable option, and we are proud to offer many of them. We simply aim to provide an option that will deliver 95% of the quality at a much lower cost. 

It is fair to say that the technology behind LensConnect was our original business. What became the Core Lab began in LMS (lab management software) design, building lens design software. The Core Lab began offering the same technology to retail opticals in 2023. 

Absolutely. Once your account is registered, ask your account manager for one of our sampler packs. 

Yes. Established accounts are able to create and sell progressive designs with the lens marking(s) of their choice. There are some MOQ requirements for doing so, of course,  and trademark rules of course still apply. 

All lenses produced with LensConnect are subject to the same policies as all of our in-house work. All lenses are warranted for the life of the Rx for reasonable wear and tear. Up to two doctor remakes are permitted, free of charge. 

And as a first in the industry, we stand behind the quality of our work enough to give you a full refund on any work we do.