Optical Prescription Lab

What Optical Prescription Lab does

Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) is a family-owned independent wholesale optical laboratory founded in 1977 in Birmingham, Alabama, now headquartered at 120 Applegate Circle in Pelham, Alabama. The company fabricates prescription lenses, applies anti-reflective coatings, and provides digital lens processing, edging, and final fitting services to independent eye care professionals (ECPs) and optical practices across the southeastern United States and nationally. OPL's customer base is composed of small-to-medium-sized independent optical practices and dispensaries that submit prescriptions through account-based wholesale relationships rather than direct-to-consumer channels.

OPL's technology stack is built around a single integrated lab operation. It operates state-of-the-art automated and digital lens processing equipment, an in-house Crizal anti-reflective coating center (the first in the southeastern independent lab segment, installed in 2006), and advanced laboratory management software that provides real-time individual job tracking and lab-wide process monitoring. Online ordering integrations through Visionweb, Rx Wizard, and Eyefinity OfficeMate enable 24/7 electronic order entry and frame trace uploads. The product portfolio combines in-house coated AR lenses with branded offerings from Essilor (Varilux, Crizal, Transitions, XperioUV), Shamir, Seiko, Hoya, Younger Optics, and X-Cel, across a full range of lens materials from plastic 1.50 through high-index 1.74 and Trivex.

OPL makes money as a wholesale B2B optical lab via per-job transaction fees for prescription lens fabrication and add-on AR coatings, supplemented by wholesale pricing on premium branded lens products supplied to ECP accounts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is established through a required account application. Customer acquisition is sales-led, driven by account applications, direct outreach, promotional and rewards programs, and routes through vision benefits administrators (Vision Benefits of America, Vision Care Plan). The company markets through its website, education and training programs such as Lunch & Learns and the Advantage Growth Initiative Program, and is a member of the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council.

Name

Optical Prescription Lab

Legal name

Optical Prescription Lab

Website

https://opticalprescriptionlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Optical Prescription Lab is a family-owned independent wholesale optical laboratory founded in 1977 in Pelham, Alabama, serving independent eye care professionals across the southeastern United States with prescription lens fabrication, in-house Crizal AR coating, and digital lens processing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Laboratory Services

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (42346)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Wholesale optical lab
• Prescription lens fabrication
• Anti-reflective coatings
• Progressive lenses
• Photochromic lenses

Headquarters

HQ city

Pelham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Optical Lab Services: OPL operates as a wholesale optical laboratory providing prescription lens fabrication, AR coating, and finishing services to independent eye care professionals. Revenue is generated through per-job processing fees for prescription lenses, with pricing determined by lens type, coating options, and order specifications. The business model is B2B wholesale, serving ECPs who submit prescriptions for their patients.
2. Premium Lens Products: Sale of premium optical lens products including Varilux progressives, Transitions photochromic lenses, Crizal AR coatings, and other branded lens products. Revenue generated through wholesale pricing on branded optical products supplied to optical practices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Optical Prescription Lab is a wholesale optical laboratory that fabricates custom prescription lenses for independent eye care professionals (ECPs). Core offerings include prescription lens processing, in-house Crizal anti-reflective (AR) coating, digital lens processing, lens edging and final fitting, and supply of branded premium lens products such as Varilux progressives, Transitions photochromic, Crizal no-glare coatings, Shamir, Seiko, and Younger Optics across substrate materials (plastic 1.50, polycarbonate, high-index 1.60/1.67/1.74, Trivex).

Product overview

Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) is a family-owned independent wholesale optical laboratory founded in 1977, serving independent eye care professionals throughout the southeast and nationally. The company operates a single integrated lab service encompassing lens processing, in-house Crizal anti-reflective coating, digital lens processing, edging, and final fitting. Its product portfolio spans multiple branded lens categories: Varilux progressive lenses, Essilor lenses (Definity, Accolade, Ovation), Shamir lenses, Seiko lenses, and Younger Optics lenses for the progressive/SV segment; Crizal no-glare coatings handled in-house; Transitions photochromic lenses and NuPolar/Drivewear/SOLFX/XperioUV performance tint lenses; and a full range of lens materials (Plastic 1.50, Polycarbonate, High-Index 1.60/1.67/1.74, Trivex). The lab is powered by advanced laboratory management software providing real-time job tracking and automated processing, supported by online ordering integrations via Visionweb, Rx Wizard, and Eyefinity OfficeMate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wholesale Optical Lab Services Full-service independent wholesale optical laboratory providing custom prescription lens fabrication, digital lens processing, lens edging, and final fitting services to independent eye care professionals and optical practices. Uses state-of-the-art automated equipment managed by advanced laboratory management software with real-time job tracking, with online order entry 24/7 through Visionweb, Rx Wizard, and Eyefinity OfficeMate.
• In-House Crizal AR Processing In-house Crizal anti-reflective coating service that applies Crizal, Crizal Alize, and Crizal Avancé AR coatings using an 8-step manufacturing process that fuses 2-sided scratch resistance with anti-reflective properties and hydrophobic technology. Enables an average 2-day turnaround on Crizal lenses by eliminating third-party coating send-outs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 2-day turn-around on Crizal lenses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Essilor USAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary strategic supplier partner providing Varilux progressive lenses, Transitions photochromic lenses, and Crizal AR coatings. OPL became the first independent lab in the southeast to install a Crizal AR coating facility in 2006, expanding an already strong relationship with Essilor USA. The partnership includes full line of Essilor brands.
• VisionwebcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline ordering platform partner enabling OPL customers to place orders electronically. Visionweb Lab of the Year 2011 award recipient recognizing excellence in online ordering integration.
• Rx Wizard Online OrderingcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline ordering system partner providing electronic order entry and frame trace upload capabilities for OPL customers.
• Eyefinity OfficeMatecoreTechnology or IntegrationPractice management software integration partner enabling seamless order transmission from optical practice management systems to OPL lab.
• Vision Benefits of America (VBA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision benefits administrator directing members to OPL for optical laboratory services.
• Vision Care PlanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision care insurance plan directing patients to OPL for prescription eyewear services.
• Optical Laboratories AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry trade association membership providing access to information on most recent lens technology and processing techniques, plus informative programs and literature.
• The Vision CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry trade organization membership providing exchange of information on latest lens technology and processing techniques, with access to programs and literature for eye care practitioners and consumers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Lens: National Lens is a wholesale optical laboratory serving independent ECPs with prescription lens fabrication, coatings, and edging services, directly competing with OPL in the independent optical wholesale channel.
• Pech Optical: Pech Optical is an independent wholesale optical laboratory serving ECPs with prescription lens processing, edging, and AR coating services, directly comparable to OPL in independent lab services.
• Carl Zeiss Vision: Carl Zeiss Vision operates a major US wholesale optical lab business serving independent ECPs with premium progressive lenses and AR coatings, comparable to OPL in target customer base and premium lens positioning.
• VSP Optics: VSP Optics is the wholesale laboratory division of VSP Global, serving VSP network ECPs with prescription lens fabrication and finishing services — directly comparable to OPL in business model and customer base of independent optometrists.
• Walman Optical: Walman Optical is one of the largest independently-owned wholesale optical laboratories in the US, serving ECPs with prescription lens fabrication, AR coating, and finishing — a direct competitor in the same wholesale lab category as OPL.
• Hoya Vision Care: Hoya Vision Care operates a global network of wholesale optical labs producing premium progressive and photochromic lenses for ECPs, directly competing with OPL in lens fabrication, finishing, and brand-driven product portfolios.
• Cherry Optical: Cherry Optical is an independent wholesale optical laboratory providing digital lens processing, AR coating, and surfacing services to ECPs, directly comparable to OPL in lab services and independent customer focus.
• Luzerne Optical: Luzerne Optical is a wholesale optical laboratory providing prescription lens fabrication, digital processing, and finishing to independent ECPs, directly comparable to OPL in business model and customer base.
• Dietz Watson Optical: Dietz Watson Optical is a wholesale optical laboratory serving independent ECPs with prescription lens fabrication and finishing, directly comparable to OPL in independent lab services and SMB customer segment.

Broad incumbents

• EssilorLuxottica: EssilorLuxottica is the world's largest ophthalmic lens and eyewear manufacturer and vertically integrated lab operator, both a major supplier to OPL (Essilor brands) and a broad incumbent competitor in wholesale optical labs and retail optical.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OpticalPrescriptionLab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optical-prescription-lab-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Optical Prescription Lab