The Power of Prefinished Lenses: Maximizing Profit in Your In-House Finishing Lab

An in-house finishing lab is an invaluable asset, providing same-day service, superior quality control, and faster turnaround times. For example, a practice with a lab on-site can produce many single-vision jobs in about one hour, which improves patient satisfaction and keeps more work in-house.¹ However, the true financial benefit of this investment lies in optimizing your wholesale lens strategy. The difference in pricing between various suppliers can be significant, particularly when comparing prefinished (stock) lenses against fully generated (custom) lenses.  

Understanding this crucial distinction is the key to unlocking maximum profitability from every pair of glasses dispensed. 

Single Vision Lenses: The Financial Sweet Spot 

The majority of lens prescriptions, especially those for younger patients or for basic correction, fall into the Single Vision (SV) category. According to market data, the global single-vision lens segment generated over USD 42 billion in 2024 and continues to grow steadily.² This is where an in-house lab can make or break its profit margin.

Certain wholesale labs specialize in carrying a broad range of prefinished SV lenses. These lenses are already manufactured with the correct curve and power and simply need to be edged and mounted by your in-house lab.³ 

• The Benefit: Prefinished lenses are your single best value and profit builder. Since the bulk of the manufacturing is done in advance, the cost is drastically reduced. These lenses are offered within a specific, common power range. 

• The Challenge: Lenses that fall outside of the wholesale lab's prefinished stock assortment will need to be fully generated. You will then pay the higher, generated price for that custom work.

Some wholesale partners do not maintain a broad prefinished stock. In this model, every lens, regardless of power, is fully generated (custom-made) for each individual order. 

• The Trade-off: While this model ensures every lens is technically "custom," the lack of a low-cost stock option drives up your cost of goods dramatically, impacting the profitability of every routine SV job. 

Case Study: Analyzing the Cost of Polycarbonate with Premium AR 

To illustrate the profit difference, let’s compare the cost of a routine Single Vision prescription (e.g., -1.00 Sph -1.00 Cyl OU) in Polycarbonate with Premium Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating. 

It’s important to note that the raw materials (CR-39, Polycarbonate, Trivex, High Index) are generally standardized across the industry. The primary cost variation lies in the AR coating application process and whether the lens starts as a low-cost stock blank or a high-cost custom blank. For example, switching from lab-ordered uncut lenses to stock uncut lenses with AR has been shown to increase profit margins by $37–$100 per pair, depending on lens type.⁴ 

The Profit Impact 

Imagine your practice charges the patient $120 for the Polycarbonate material and $75 for the Premium AR, totaling $195.00 for the lens pair. 

By simply leveraging the pre-finished stock program for common prescriptions, you can increase the profit on that single job by over 100% compared to ordering from a generated-only lab. 

When Custom Generation is Necessary 

While stock lenses maximize profit on routine jobs, it is critical to remember that certain prescriptions must always be generated: 

• Multifocal Lenses: Progressive Addition Lenses (PALs), bifocals, and trifocals are complex designs that must be custom-generated. 

• High-Power or Complex Prescriptions (Rx): Prescriptions with high cylinder, prism, or powers far outside the typical stock range require custom surfacing. 

• Specialty Coatings: While coatings generally use the same methods, specialty blue light or mirror coatings may sometimes require generation depending on the wholesale lab’s offering. 

Conclusion 

The successful operation of an in-house finishing lab depends on more than just high-quality edging equipment; it relies on intelligent purchasing strategies. 

By partnering with a wholesale lab that provides a cost-effective prefinished stock program for your high-volume Single Vision orders, you can secure maximum profit and maintain low costs, while still relying on generated services for complex prescriptions. This hybrid approach ensures your lab is set up for operational efficiency and financial success. 

Standout Features of the Briot Couture In-house Finishing System

• Virtual 3-D lens simulation
• TrueScan tracing for high-base frames
• Free shape modification, correction, and repair
• Wavefront-based technology 
• TruFit bevel program 
• Angular drilling (0 degrees to 30 degrees) 
• Internal databases 
• Touch-screen interface 
• Remote updates
• Torque Management Software to reduce slippage 
  

**Medical procedures, case studies, and practices mentioned in this content may vary based on regional standards, local regulations, and the discretion of providing healthcare professional. What may be considered appropriate and ethical in one country may differ in another.

About the Author

Edward Jiongco, ABOC, NCLEC, LDO (NV)

Edward Jiongco, ABOC, NCLEC, LDO (NV) is a Nevada-licensed optician certified by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. He currently serves as Territory Sales Manager – Finishing for Visionix, where he supports optical practices in improving profitability, workflow efficiency, and in-house lens finishing processes.  Edward is also a Board Member for the College of Southern Nevada’s Ophthalmic Dispensing program, helping provide vision care to underserved communities and mentor opticians in the profession. 

1. “Why You Should Add an In-House Lab.” EyeWorld Optometry, 2023, https://www.eyeworldoptometry.com/in-house-lab.html.
2. “Single Vision Lenses Market Size, Share & Growth Report.” Grand View Research, 2024, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/statistics/eyewear-market/prescription-glasses-by-lens/single-vision-lenses/global.
3. “Stock Lenses.” Laramy-K Optical, 2024, https://www.laramyk.com/stock-lenses/.
4. “Ensure a Profit with an In-Office Finishing Lab.” Review of Optometry, vol. 158, no. 5, 2023, https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/ensure-a-profit-with-an-in-office-finishing-lab.