instrumental focus

Add a Competitive Edger

Edging device provides timeliness and customizable settings

Melissa Short, Contributing Editor

Optical chains have made dispensing spectacles a challenge, particularly because they guarantee a complete, high-quality pair of glasses within an hour of purchase. The good news for private practices: The Lex 1000 edger, from Santinelli International, Inc., lets you compete with them.

“The device enables your optician(s) to edge a pair of lenses — including small “B” with a narrow corridor of 15.5mm — add a high luster polish, safety bevel and assure a perfect fit, all within 10 minutes,” says Paul Reece, an optician for Drs. Kline, Boyd and Chivers, Optometrists, Glens Falls, N.Y.

Here, opticians discuss the three features they feel make the device worthy of your consideration.

Hi-Curve bevel

The Lex 1000’s Hi-Curve bevel processing allows your staff to accurately edge wrap-style frames, such as prescription sunwear, remedying lens pop-out. The device enables you to avoid this common problem with wrap-style frames by enabling you to customize the bevel.

“With the Lex 1000, you can clock the curve of any lens,” explains Mr. Reece. “And, by using the Hi-Curve mode, you can adjust the bevel curve, the bevel position and the height of the bevel and its tilt angle. This guarantees precision and consistency with each job.”

Also, since your staff can position the bevel any place on the frame, the quality and look of the glasses can be enhanced, Mr. Reece adds.

“This is especially beneficial for patients who purchase designer lenses in rimless frames, as the high-end look of the glasses is easily maintained when preparing these customizations,” he says.

3-D bevel simulation

This feature complements the Hi-Curve setting by enabling the operator to view the lens from his/her selected angle. This simplifies the ability to check work for accuracy and precision, says Mr. Reece.

Advance soft grind

This mode lets your lab staff accurately process super-hydrophobic-coated lenses on axis. It monitors the amount of pressure applied to the lens during grinding in order to eliminate axis shift — something that's especially useful for lenses that have slippery coatings.

“I really enjoy telling patients that I can process their lenses with super-hydrophobic and anti-reflective coatings in-house,” says Harold Weare, an optician for Drs. Powell, Jambor & Associates, Inc., in Dayton, Ohio. “It crates a real ‘wow’ factor for the patient, and they appreciate the convenience of getting a complete pair of glasses all in one place.”

Jeannette Parton, optician/lab manager at Family Vision Care, in Tuscon, Ariz., adds, “I like the polish feature because it provides a smooth and consistent polish,” she says. “Doing this manually really wears your hand out, and the results aren't nearly as professional looking when you do it yourself.”

Because the Lex 1000 provides quick turn-around and a high-quality pair of glasses, you can dissuade patients from filling their prescriptions elsewhere. Also, the device can provide you with bonus revenue, says Mr. Reece.

“It's [the device] been a great plus in terms of attracting Saturday walk-in or vacationer patients who've either broken or misplaced their eyewear,” he says. OM