Lappen Eye Care

What Lappen Eye Care does

Lappen Eye Care is a family-owned optometry practice headquartered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, founded in 1980 by Dr. Richard D. Lappen and operating four clinical locations across the Greater Pittsburgh region: Greensburg (flagship with a 650-700 frame optical boutique), Pittsburgh/Squirrel Hill, South Hills, and McMurray. The practice delivers full-scope optometric services including comprehensive eye exams, pediatric exams, eye disease management (glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts), dry eye treatment, emergency eye care, cataract surgical co-management, myopia management using Ortho-K and Essilor Stellest lenses, and specialty contact lens fittings for keratoconus and other hard-to-fit patients. Five optometrists anchor the clinical team, supported by contemporary diagnostic technology (OCT, retinal imaging, corneal mapping, automated refraction, fundus photography).

The business operates a hybrid professional-services and optical-retail revenue model. Professional fees are billed to vision plans (VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, Davis Vision, Superior Vision, VBA, Versant Health, BCBS, UPMC Health Plan variants) and medical insurers (Medicare, United Healthcare, Cigna, Humana, Aetna, Highmark, Gateway Health), while retail revenue is generated from prescription eyeglasses, designer and independent frames, advanced lens treatments (Crizal, high-index, workspace, safety), and contact lens sales. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via physical clinics, supported by local SEO, Google My Business listings, and word-of-mouth referrals. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; flexible payment options are offered for uninsured patients.

The practice remains privately held and family-controlled, with Dr. Jonathan B. Lappen joining as Clinical Director in 2018 after running St. Charles Vision in Louisiana, formalizing next-generation continuity. No external funding rounds, M&A activity, or institutional investor involvement are disclosed in the available source material.

Name

Lappen Eye Care

Legal name

Lappen Eye Care

Website

https://lappeneyecare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned optometry practice operating four clinics across Greater Pittsburgh since 1980, providing comprehensive eye exams, eye disease management, specialty contact lens fittings, myopia control, and designer optical retail to patients of all ages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optometry Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Optometry services
• Comprehensive eye exams
• Contact lens fittings
• Prescription eyewear
• Eye disease management

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Eye Care Services: Revenue generated from comprehensive eye exams, pediatric eye exams, emergency eye care visits, and medical eye disease management. Services are billed to vision insurance plans (VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, Davis Vision, Superior Vision, VBA, etc.) and medical insurance (Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Highmark, UPMC Health Plan, etc.).
2. Optical Products (Eyeglasses and Lenses): Revenue from sale of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and lens treatments including high-index lenses, anti-reflective coatings (Crizal), workspace lenses, and safety lenses. The Greensburg flagship features 650-700 frames including designer brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Kate Spade, Oliver Peoples, Tiffany, Tory Burch, and independent designers.
3. Contact Lens Sales and Specialty Fittings: Revenue from daily disposable, monthly, multifocal, and toric contact lenses, as well as specialty contact lens fittings for keratoconus (scleral, hybrid, gas-permeable), ortho-k overnight lenses, and other hard-to-fit patients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lappen Eye Care is a family-owned, multi-location optometry practice that sells comprehensive medical and routine eye care services (exams, eye disease management, dry eye treatment, myopia management, surgical co-management, emergency care) along with retail optical products (prescription eyeglasses, specialty contact lenses, designer frames). Service is delivered across four Pittsburgh-area clinics by five optometrists using advanced diagnostic equipment (OCT, retinal imaging, corneal mapping) and is reimbursed through major vision and medical insurance networks as well as direct out-of-pocket payment.

Product overview

Lappen Eye Care is a multi-location optometry practice serving the Greater Pittsburgh region for over 40 years, offering comprehensive eye care services through four locations. The practice operates a unified service model combining medical eye care (comprehensive exams, eye disease management, dry eye treatment, emergency care) with optical retail (prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, specialty lenses). Core offerings include diagnostic eye examinations using advanced technology such as retinal imaging and OCT, contact lens services ranging from daily disposables to specialty keratoconus lenses, myopia management programs using Ortho-K and Stellest lenses, and surgical co-management for cataracts. The optical boutiques feature curated frame collections including designer brands. Services are integrated across four locations providing consistent patient care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Eye Exams Routine and medical eye examinations evaluating vision, eye health, and overall wellness using advanced diagnostic technology including retinal imaging and OCT; for patients of all ages seeking preventive and corrective eye care.
• Eye Disease Management Diagnosis, monitoring, and management of eye conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts with co-management of surgical referrals; for medically diagnosed or at-risk patients.
• Dry Eye Disease Management Comprehensive dry eye treatment including nutraceutical therapy, heat therapy, gland expression, and Prokera amniotic membrane treatment for advanced cases; for patients with chronic dry eye symptoms.
• Myopia Management Myopia control programs for children using Ortho-K overnight lenses and Essilor Stellest lenses to slow progression of nearsightedness; for parents seeking to manage their children's myopia.
• Pediatric Eye Exams Eye examinations for children aged two and older focused on early detection of vision problems, eye coordination, myopia, amblyopia, and strabismus; for parents seeking pediatric eye care.
• Ortho-K: Non-Surgical Vision Solution Custom overnight contact lenses that reshape the cornea during sleep, providing clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts; used for non-surgical vision correction and myopia control in children.
• Cataract Surgery Co-Management Pre-operative evaluation, surgical coordination with eye surgeons, and post-operative follow-up care; for cataract patients requiring surgical intervention and coordinated specialist care.
• Eye Emergencies Same-day urgent care for eye injuries, infections, sudden vision changes, foreign objects, and other acute eye conditions during office hours; for patients requiring immediate attention.
• Contact Lenses Full range of contact lenses including daily disposable, monthly, multifocal, toric for astigmatism, and specialty options; for patients seeking alternatives to eyeglasses.
• Contact Lens Exams Specialized fitting and evaluation including corneal measurements, tear film evaluation, trial lenses, and prescription refinement for optimal contact lens comfort and vision; for new and existing contact lens wearers.
• Specialty Contact Lenses Advanced lenses for hard-to-fit patients including scleral lenses, hybrid lenses, and gas-permeable lenses for irregular corneas and sensitive eyes; for patients who cannot be served by standard contact options.
• Keratoconus Contact Lenses Specialized contact lens solutions for keratoconus patients including scleral lenses, hybrid lenses, and gas-permeable lenses that vault over irregular corneas; for patients with keratoconus or related corneal irregularities.
• Prescription Eyeglasses Curated selection of prescription frames from independent designers, luxury brands, and mainstream options along with customized lens solutions; the Greensburg flagship displays approximately 650-700 frames.
• Sunglasses UV-protective sunglasses including prescription options, polarized lenses, and performance tints for driving and outdoor activities; for patients needing prescription or non-prescription sun protection.
• Workspace & Safety Lenses Specialized lenses for computer work and industrial environments, including Oakley and Wiley X protective eyewear meeting ANSI safety standards; for office workers and occupational users.
• Stellest Lenses Essilor Stellest lenses for myopia control in children, designed to slow nearsightedness progression while providing clear vision; for pediatric myopia management alongside the practice's myopia program.
• Lens Treatments Advanced lens options including high-index lenses, anti-reflective coatings, Crizal treatments, and workspace lenses for computer and office use; added onto prescription eyewear for customized visual performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detected retinal tear during routine diabetic eye exam, enabling immediate referral and laser surgery that prevented vision loss
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pearle Vision: Franchise-based optical chain with on-site optometrists offering exams, eyewear and contact lenses; comparable neighborhood-friendly, owner-operated format and broad vision plan participation.
• MyEyeDr. Large multi-location optometry group offering comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, eyewear, and disease management across many US markets; same physician-led, insurance-participating, exam-plus-retail model as Lappen but at far greater scale.
• EyeCare Partners: PE-backed network of optometry and ophthalmology practices with integrated optical retail; comparable full-scope clinical services plus specialty contact lens and disease management within a multi-site roll-up model.
• America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses: Value-oriented multi-location optical chain pairing eye exams with eyeglasses and contact lenses; comparable insurance-led, high-volume exam-and-retail model targeting families.
• Visionworks: National optical retailer combining on-site optometrist exams with frame and contact lens sales; directly comparable retail-plus-clinical model and broad insurance acceptance.
• LensCrafters: Iconic optical retailer with on-site independent optometrists providing eye exams, contact lenses and prescription eyewear; same co-located medical-and-retail model with heavier brand-driven marketing.

Emerging players

• Warby Parker: DTC-born eyewear brand now operating physical retail stores with on-site eye exams; disruptive model that targets the same prescription eyeglasses purchase and increasingly the exam visit.

Regional players

• Clarkson Eyecare: Multi-location optometry and ophthalmology group serving the Midwest and South with comprehensive exams, disease management and optical retail; same clinical-plus-retail playbook as Lappen though geographically non-overlapping.

Broad incumbents

• Target Optical: Optical retail concession inside Target stores with independent optometrists providing exams and dispensing eyewear; overlaps with family and routine visit traffic that Lappen also serves.
• Costco Optical: Optical department within Costco warehouses offering low-priced exams, lenses and frames through independent doctors; competes on value for the routine glasses customer in Lappen's Greater Pittsburgh footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lappen.eyecare.pittsburgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lappen-eye-care---pittsburgh-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Lappen Eye Care