Here at Central Lab Group we have done our best to streamline the ordering process for you, the Independent Eye Care Professional. We start processing your order upon receipt before the frame is received. When the ordered dimensions do not match the actual frame we receive, it is possible the lens we produce will not cut out to fit the frame.  *Pro Tip* To ensure the best quality and timely delivery of your orders, when entering your frame information, whether you’re ordering via VisionWeb, Eyefinity, Eyemed, Versant etc. please double-check that the frame dimensions you communicate to us match the actual frame dimensions.

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Cole to the position of General Manager at Cherry Optical! Stephanie has been a valued member of our team since she joined Cherry Optical in 2015. Over the past decade, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill. Stephanie began her journey with Cherry Optical by keying in new jobs and pulling lens Rx orders for the surface department. Through her hard work and determination, she advanced from Team Lead to Office Manager and now to GM. Stephanie credits her success to the guidance of several mentors, including Dan Gish, a true Cherry original! In addition to her professional achievements, 2024 has been a significant year for Stephanie personally as well. She recently purchased her first home and celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary in the hospital for the arrival of her baby boy with her 6-year-old daughter at home. Stephanie balances her family life with her role as a Sunday school teacher alongside her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys fellowship at their church during bible studies and outreach events. She hopes to travel with her family in the coming years.

Kellie Schwartz’s hard work and dedication have recently been recognized with her promotion to Customer Service Supervisor at Cherry Optical! In this new role, Kellie is excited to lead her team and further enhance the customer experience. Kellie has been a valued member of Cherry Optical for four years, following three years at Optistock. She holds a degree in Opticianry from Baker College. In her customer service role, Kellie thrives on connecting with accounts, providing suggestions and advice on lens designs and materials, and troubleshooting issues thanks to her extensive edging experience. Although she was new to customer service initially, she embraced the opportunity to grow, quickly mastering DVI with the support and resources at her disposal. Outside of work, Kellie has been happily married to her husband, John, for 12 years. Together, they have two children, three stepchildren, and they delight in the company of eight grandchildren and three dogs. In her free time, Kellie treasures moments spent with family and friends, as well as vacations at the beach. Please join us in congratulating Stephanie and Kellie on these well-deserved promotions and wishing both of them continued success in their new roles!

October is more than just the season of pumpkin spice, caramel corn, and Halloween. It is also Eye Injury Prevention Month. Safeguarding your eyes from harm is one of the most straightforward and essential steps you can take to ensure lifelong eye health.

Nearly half of all eye injuries occurred in the home. Home repairs, yard work, cleaning, and cooking caused more than 40% of eye injuries. More than a third of those injuries happened in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or family room.  More than 40% of eye injuries yearly are related to sports or recreational activities.

As you may have heard, VSP plans to significantly reduce their lab network nationwide. However, we want to reassure you that Central Lab Group Optical is fully committed to supporting you and will remain your most trusted business partner. We are ready to accept all your VSP orders and are equipped to address any questions you may have promptly and efficiently. Click here to read more..

 

According to data from Prevent Blindness, more eye injuries occur from basketball than any other sport, with pools and water sports following as the second highest cause of sports-related eye injury. Prevent Blindness has declared September as Sports Eye Safety Month to help educate the public on the best ways to protect eyes and keep vision healthy while playing sports. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), 90 percent of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.  Although not all sports require it, it is safer to wear eye protection. A few where you would benefit from having safety glasses are football, baseball, basketball, racquetball, tennis, pickleball, and archery.

 Here is the news you and your patients have been waiting for! We know that a top question about Transitions GEN S has continued to be: “When will ALL Transitions colors be covered by VSP?”  Effective July 10th, ALL 8 Transitions GEN S colors are now available in the VSP formulary. This is a removes a key barrier, allowing you  to confidently recommend all GEN S colors to VSP patients. ALL 8 Transitions GEN S colors are now covered by VSP in Category B (same as Gray & Brown). Transitions® GEN S™ is available in 8 exclusive colors, including a brand-new addition: Transitions GEN S Ruby!

The most common eye problem is computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome is not just a myth. An excessive amount of screen time and not enough breaks can cause headaches, inattentiveness, neck pain, back strain and dry eye.

Educate your patients on the 20-20-20 rule:
Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away.

Ask your local Central Lab Group Sales Consultant or Customer Service Representative about your options for occupational lenses: Essilor Computer, KODAK SoftWear®, Shamir Autograph II – Office™, Shamir Computer™, Shamir WorkSpace™