Non-Standard Lens Power

[Gators]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out when a lab will charge a high diopter charge. It seems to depend on Material and lens design.

The charges are usually 2-3 dollars per diopter per lens over standard power, but what are these "standard powers?"

I assume it has something to do with the base curve they have to use and the lap tool they have to make especially for a job.

Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks

[CME4SPECS]

You'd be better off talking to your lab. Don't they have a price list that breaks it all down? All labs are different.

[Borysko]

You'd be better off talking to your lab. Don't they have a price list that breaks it all down? All labs are different.

Agreed.

[chip anderson]

Don't you lab send you a price list at least yearly. I'll bet it says what you want to know.

Chip

[Chris Ryser]

When a prescription takes more work due to its nature, every lab will have some extra charges for more work and time involved. These extra charges have existed forever.

[Gators]

I have not gotten straight answers from my labs. All the price list says is "price for non-standard power per diopter per lens"

[AdmiralKnight]

They might not have a set power when they start charging extra. Its probably based on the amount of work they need to do. So you could potentially have two jobs with the same power, but one will need extra work, so they charge you.

[jefe]

If they're truly unwilling to explain their pricing on paper or over the phone, I suggest you look into new labs.

[Jacqui]

If they're truly unwilling to explain their pricing on paper or over the phone, I suggest you look into new labs.

Agreed.

[Gators]

If they're truly unwilling to explain their pricing on paper or over the phone, I suggest you look into new labs.

Why don't you call your "fantastic" lab up and ask them this same question!

I bet you don't get a straight answer either. I think they are just charging extra when they have to remake a high Rx, or generate a lap tool.

[Judy Canty]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out when a lab will charge a high diopter charge. It seems to depend on Material and lens design.

The charges are usually 2-3 dollars per diopter per lens over standard power, but what are these "standard powers?"

I assume it has something to do with the base curve they have to use and the lap tool they have to make especially for a job.

Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks

Surely, somewhere on that price list is something like "sph Plano - +/- 6 Cyl .12 - 3.00" It may differ by material, but it should be there.

[Chris Ryser]

In the early 70s when large size frames became fashion we charged a steady $ 4.50 additional for oversisz lens blanks.

[Barry Santini]

"Digitally surfaced" free form lenses do not suffer from these extraneous charges.

At least not at present.

Barry

[k12311997]

Why don't you call your "fantastic" lab up and ask them this same question!

I bet you don't get a straight answer either. I think they are just charging extra when they have to remake a high Rx, or generate a lap tool.

if they can't give you a "straight" answer they are "crooked"

Surely, somewhere on that price list is something like "sph Plano - +/- 6 Cyl .12 - 3.00" It may differ by material, but it should be there.

every price list I have has something like Judy's statement

[Dougfir8]

I have not gotten straight answers from my labs. All the price list says is "price for non-standard power per diopter per lens"

You need different labs! There are so many from which to choose. Any lab that can't (or won't) quote you a price after hearing the Rx is questionable.

In my opinion, a "standard" power is somewhere between +6.00 to -8.00 with up to 3.00 cyl. I would include prescribed prism at least to 3.0 as standard. These can all be purchased as FSV, FT28 or in what the lens companies consider standard base curves.

[RT]

Remember that typically we do not discuss wholesale pricing in the public forum, as there as many elements that make up the total wholesale price.

Traditionally, labs charged overpower charges for any power stronger than +-4.00 diopters, or more than -2.00 diopters of cylinder. Labs that charge this way typically have lower list prices for high index products, but may charge pretty high as the power goes up.

Some labs charge overpower based on the material. For example, CR39 may have overpower starting at +-4.00 diopters, mid index and poly starting at +-6.00, and high index starting at +-8.00.

I think they are just charging extra when they have to remake a high Rx, or generate a lap tool.

Nope, typically the overpower rules are coded into the lab management software that generates the invoices. Otherwise, there would be pure anarchy trying to price every job using the Ouija-board method you describe.

"Digitally surfaced" free form lenses do not suffer from these extraneous charges.

That is a gross generalization. In fact, most labs that I am aware of have a single overpower price schedule, and do not distinguish between conventionally surfaced jobs or digitally surfaced/FreeForm jobs. Although some labs may elect to have a different overpower schedule on FreeForm jobs, that is definitely not a requirement for that method of production.

[jefe]

Quote by Gators: "Why don't you call your "fantastic" lab up and ask them this same question! I bet you don't get a straight answer either. I think they are just charging extra when they have to remake a high Rx, or generate a lap tool."


I'll bet I DO get straight answers. If I have a question regarding the cost of a job, I call the lab's customer service person, have her figure it out -- including any extra charges, and I keep a record of the date of the call and the person with whom I spoke. In some cases, I even ask the customer service person to keep the quote in a file at her desk.