Robertson Optical Laboratories
Robertson Optical Laboratories is a family-owned U.S. optical lens manufacturer founded in 1958 that produces free-form progressive lenses, photochromic lenses, coatings, and frames for independent eyecare practices nationwide through two labs in Georgia and South Carolina.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersLoganville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Robertson Optical Laboratories does
Robertson Optical Laboratories, Inc. (also doing business as ROL) is a privately held, family-owned optical lens manufacturing laboratory founded in 1958 by Jack Robertson. Headquartered in Loganville, Georgia with a second manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina, the company produces prescription lenses and related optical products for independent eyecare professionals across the United States, processing over 7,000 prescriptions per week. Its core technology stack centers on in-house free-form digital lens surfacing, supported by a vertically integrated portfolio of proprietary progressive lens designs (Vista, ROL-One, Coze), supplemental convergence technology (Pathway), photochromic lenses (SHIFT), blue light protection (BluGARD, Tranquility), and AR and mirror coatings (Royal AR, PolAR+). The company distributes through direct B2B sales to independent optical practices, supplemented by an online ordering portal (LabLizard) and a software integration with Eyefinity practice management systems.
The business operates three primary revenue streams: (1) transaction-fee lens manufacturing services for eyecare professionals, which is the core business and accounts for the bulk of revenue; (2) the Honest Eyecare e-commerce platform, a freemium model that connects patients with independent partner practices and lets practices retain the majority of profit on transactions; and (3) hardware sales through the 5ifty 8ight private label frame collection, offered in full (90 frames) and half (45 frames) collections under 30-60-90 and 30-60 billing terms. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and customer relationships are characterized as consultative, with an experienced sales team supporting practice strategy and profitability. The customer base is highly fragmented across independent U.S. eyecare practices, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts, funding rounds, or institutional ownership.
Robertson Optical Laboratories firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Robertson Optical Laboratories
- Legal name
- Robertson Optical Laboratories, Inc.
- Website
- https://robertsonoptical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Robertson Optical Laboratories is a family-owned U.S. optical lens manufacturer founded in 1958 that produces free-form progressive lenses, photochromic lenses, coatings, and frames for independent eyecare practices nationwide through two labs in Georgia and South Carolina.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Robertson Optical Laboratories industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Optical Lens Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL), Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical) (CRAAAKAA), Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB)
Keywords
Where Robertson Optical Laboratories is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Loganville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Robertson Optical Laboratories business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Lens Manufacturing Services: Full-service lens surfacing and finishing services for eyecare professionals. Fills over 7,000 prescriptions weekly using in-house free-form digital surfacing technology. Revenue generated through the sale of manufactured optical lenses to independent eyecare practices.
- Honest Eyecare Platform: Inclusionary eyewear e-commerce platform connecting patients with independent eyecare providers. Partner practices receive majority of profit on transactions when patients purchase through the platform. Free to join with requirements to support patient purchases and honor Honest Savings discounts.
- 5ifty 8ight Frame Collection: Private label frame collection paying homage to the company's founding year (1958). Complete pair solution with 90-frame full collection (30-60-90 billing) or 45-frame half collection (30-60 billing). Italian acetate, surgical stainless steel, medical grade hinges, hand-crafted.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Full Collection - 90 frames with 30-60-90 billing |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Half Collection - 45 frames with 30-60 billing |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Honest Partner Practice - Free membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Robertson Optical Laboratories product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Robertson Optical Laboratories is a wholesale optical laboratory that manufactures and supplies prescription lenses, lens coatings, and frames to independent eyecare professionals across the United States. The company operates two manufacturing labs and fills more than 7,000 prescriptions weekly using in-house free-form digital surfacing technology. Its product portfolio spans proprietary progressive, office, and photochromic lens designs, AR and polarized mirror coatings, and a private-label frame collection, sold directly to optical practices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vista: Premium Progressive Lens Collection featuring Free Form Digital Surfacing with multiple fixed fitting heights options
- ROL-One
- Pathway Technology
- SHIFT
- BluGARD
- Tranquility
- 5ifty 8ight
- Royal AR
- PolAR+ Mirror
- Honest Eyecare
- Coze
Products and services
- ROL•One PAL Portfolio Proprietary progressive addition lens (PAL) portfolio featuring innovative free-form progressive designs using prescriptive technology that assigns a lens algorithm optimized for patient vision correction, incorporating prescription needs, optical measurements, and frame selection. Sold to independent eyecare practices for dispensing to their patients.
- Vista Collection Premium progressive lens collection utilizing free-form digital surfacing technology with multiple fixed fitting heights, Position of Wear (P.O.W.) decentration technology, and compensated lens design customized based on patient sphere, cylinder, and axis. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- Coze Progressive Lens Design Proprietary progressive lens design available in Soft, HDW, Single Vision, ADL (Advanced Lens Design), Wrap, and Office FreeForm variations, sold to independent eyecare practices.
- BluGARD Blue Light Protection Lenses Blue light protection lenses with HEV-blocking technology inherent in the lens material (not a coating), blocking up to 90% of HEV blue light, available in prescription or plano for office and digital device use. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- Tranquility Digital Vision Syndrome Lenses Digital Vision Syndrome lens combining accommodative power technology with blue light protection, available in four accommodative powers (+0.50, +0.75, +1.00, +1.25) requiring optical center measurement for fitting. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- SHIFT Photochromic Lenses Light-activated photochromic lens technology blocking 100% UV light with HEV blue light protection, featuring fast activation and fade-back (~3 minutes), available in standard and SHIFT-XD extra dark variants across multiple materials. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- Royal AR Coatings Anti-reflective coating portfolio with UV protection including Enhance (HEV blue light), Elite, Gard, UltraClean, and AR One variants, featuring thermal dip hardcoat, oleophobic, anti-static properties, and backside/frontside UV and HEV protection options. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- PolAR+ Mirror Coatings Polarized AR mirror coating combining backside AR coating and backside UV protection, applicable to digital PAL and single vision lenses, available in 13 mirror color options including Silver Solid, Silver Flash, Black Flash, Gold Flash, Rose Gold, Blue Flash, Coastal Blue, Green Vibrant, Green Pastel, Lemon Gold, Orange Red, and Purple Pastel. Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- 5ifty 8ight Frame Collection Complete pair private-label frame collection featuring Grade A Italian acetate, surgical stainless steel, medical grade hinges, and hand-crafted construction. Available in full collection (90 frames with 30-60-90 billing) or half collection (45 frames with 30-60 billing). Sold to independent eyecare practices.
- Honest Eyecare Platform Inclusionary eyewear e-commerce platform connecting patients with independent eyecare providers. Partner practices receive the majority of profit on transactions when patients purchase through the platform. Free to join with requirements to support patient purchases and honor Honest Savings discounts. Targeted at independent eyecare practices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7,000+ prescriptions filled weekly
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Robertson Optical Laboratories
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Robertson Optical Laboratories technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Robertson Optical Laboratories partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- EyefinitycoreROL is integrated as a lab option within Eyefinity optical practice management software, allowing eyecare professionals to easily route prescriptions to Robertson Optical Labs through their practice management system.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Robertson Optical Laboratories competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- EssilorLuxottica: Global ophthalmic lens and eyewear giant operating labs, branded lenses (Varilux, Crizal), and retail chains. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated optical lens manufacturer and lab network, though vastly larger and broader in scope than Robertson.
- HOYA Vision Care: Major global lens manufacturer and lab network offering progressive, photochromic, and single-vision lens designs to eyecare professionals. HOYA-branded lenses are even distributed through Robertson, making it both a partner and a competitive reference point.
- Carl Zeiss Vision (ZEISS): Premium German lens manufacturer with a U.S. lab network producing ZEISS-branded free-form progressive and single-vision lenses. Comparable to Robertson's premium lens lab positioning, with similar B2B distribution to independent practices.
- Shamir Optical Industry: Israel-based progressive and free-form lens designer with U.S. lab presence. Comparable as a free-form progressive lens technology provider selling through optical labs and independent practices.
- Seiko Optical Products: Japan-based lens designer and manufacturer with progressive, photochromic, and indoor lens brands distributed through U.S. optical labs (including Robertson). Comparable as a premium lens brand source for independent labs.
Regional players
- Visionworks (EyeBuyDirect / GV Optical): Vertically integrated U.S. optical retailer with in-house lens lab capabilities serving its own retail chain. Comparable as a U.S.-based optical lens lab, though focused on captive retail rather than B2B lab services to independents.
- Omega Optical (UK): Independent optical lens lab serving eyecare professionals in the UK with free-form progressive and photochromic lens technology. Comparable in lab-services business model, though geographically distinct from Robertson's U.S.-only footprint.
Direct peers
- Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) / Plexus Optix: Independent U.S. optical lens manufacturing lab serving eyecare professionals with free-form digital surfacing and prescription lens finishing. Closely comparable in business model and target customer base to Robertson Optical Laboratories.
- Walman Optical: U.S. family-owned wholesale optical lab network manufacturing prescription lenses, coatings, and frames for independent eyecare professionals nationwide. Direct peer to Robertson in size, business model, and independent-channel focus.
- Cherry Optical Lab: Mid-sized independent U.S. optical lab offering free-form progressive lens designs, AR coatings, and digital surfacing to independent eyecare practices. Direct peer to Robertson in product portfolio and customer segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Robertson Optical Laboratories social profiles
Digital presenceRobertson Optical Laboratories financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Robertson Optical Laboratories leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Robertson Optical Laboratories funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Robertson Optical Laboratories M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Robertson Optical Laboratories
What does Robertson Optical Laboratories do?
Robertson Optical Laboratories is a wholesale optical laboratory that manufactures and supplies prescription lenses, lens coatings, and frames to independent eyecare professionals across the United States. The company operates two manufacturing labs and fills more than 7,000 prescriptions weekly using in-house free-form digital surfacing technology. Its product portfolio spans proprietary progressive, office, and photochromic lens designs, AR and polarized mirror coatings, and a private-label frame collection, sold directly to optical practices.
Is Robertson Optical Laboratories a public or private company?
Robertson Optical Laboratories is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Robertson Optical Laboratories founded?
Robertson Optical Laboratories was founded in 1958. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Robertson Optical Laboratories based?
Robertson Optical Laboratories is headquartered in Loganville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Robertson Optical Laboratories make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lens Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are honest Eyecare Platform and 5ifty 8ight Frame Collection.
Who are Robertson Optical Laboratories's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are EssilorLuxottica, HOYA Vision Care, Carl Zeiss Vision (ZEISS), Shamir Optical Industry and Seiko Optical Products. Regional players are Visionworks (EyeBuyDirect / GV Optical) and Omega Optical (UK). Direct peers are Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) / Plexus Optix, Walman Optical and Cherry Optical Lab.
Does Robertson Optical Laboratories have an API?
No public API is recorded for Robertson Optical Laboratories.
What industry is Robertson Optical Laboratories in?
Robertson Optical Laboratories's product category is Optical Lens Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAD, Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment), with a secondary code of HLAKAKAL, Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3851.