"A New Dawn for Glass Lenses"

**MikeAurelius** · 08-18-2015, 11:23 AM

https://www.2020mag.com/story/56070/

By our own Barry Santini.

There is one small, slight error in the article, citing drop ball size for street/dress eyewear, it should read 5/8" steel ball. The 1" is reserved for Z87 (safety) lenses.

**Barry Santini** · 08-18-2015, 11:39 AM

Yep. Missed that. Thanks, Mike!!

Barry

**drk** · 08-18-2015, 12:59 PM

More like "Dawn of the Dead".

**MikeAurelius** · 08-18-2015, 01:16 PM

Beware the

**Paul Smith LDO** · 08-18-2015, 02:33 PM

It's not often that I get all weepy over an article but this article had me balling like, Nate Archibald (NBA reference). I recently touted the possible resurgence in ECP's dispensing more glass lenses, especially FFSV. Offering products that others are not carrying allows us to create those needs into wants/desires. I'm all in favor of that.

**Barry Santini** · 08-18-2015, 06:54 PM

Thanks Paul!

Glad you enjoyed it!

B

**MikeAurelius** · 08-18-2015, 07:41 PM

Niche products sell, and usually command a premium price. Glass is now a niche product.

**Paul Smith LDO** · 08-18-2015, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Niche products sell, and usually command a premium price. Glass is now a niche product.

Mike, just wait until the hipsters find out about this new marvel; glass.

**Chris Ryser** · 08-19-2015, 02:39 AM

Having grown up in the optical age of glass in Switzerland, and never knew about tempering lenses until I set foot into North America.

Very nice article Barry

**MikeAurelius** · 08-19-2015, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Paul Smith LDO

Mike, just wait until the hipsters find out about this new marvel; glass.

"I'm waiting with bated breath," he said as he ran the hook through the worm.

**hgernant** · 08-19-2015, 08:52 AM

Great article Barry! I started out at Lenscrafters in 2009 and have worked in private practice from 2011 to present and I can count on one hand the amount of times I've ordered glass for a patient. Being new to optics at the time, I was pretty much led to believe that the only thing I needed to learn about glass was just enough to pass the ABO exam. After relocating, I now work for a company that works exclusively in glass lenses (albeit leaded glass for radiation protection). I find working with glass to be very rewarding being an optician who was brought up with the idea that glass was the devil. I applaud any offices who use glass as a lens choice.
PS Barry, I enjoyed your course on the Power and Politics of the PD at Expo East this year. Highly recommend it!

**mervinek** · 08-19-2015, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Paul Smith LDO

Mike, just wait until the hipsters find out about this new marvel; glass.

Bahaha... isn't that the truth!

**Barry Santini** · 08-19-2015, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by hgernant

Great article Barry! I started out at Lenscrafters in 2009 and have worked in private practice from 2011 to present and I can count on one hand the amount of times I've ordered glass for a patient. Being new to optics at the time, I was pretty much led to believe that the only thing I needed to learn about glass was just enough to pass the ABO exam. After relocating, I now work for a company that works exclusively in glass lenses (albeit leaded glass for radiation protection). I find working with glass to be very rewarding being an optician who was brought up with the idea that glass was the devil. I applaud any offices who use glass as a lens choice.
PS Barry, I enjoyed your course on the Power and Politics of the PD at Expo East this year. Highly recommend it!

Thank you! I am giving this course again at VEW in Vegas this September. Always loads of fun on this one!

Barry

**Barry Santini** · 08-19-2015, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

Having grown up in the optical age of glass in Switzerland, and never knew about tempering lenses until I set foot into North America.

Very nice article Barry

Thanks Chris. Coming from you, I really appreciate it!

B

**kaledarkwind** · 08-22-2015, 12:57 PM

I do glass lenses for patients about once a week. Photochromic Glass FT28's are cheaper than trivex which is my only other option where i am.

**Robert_S** · 08-23-2015, 01:44 PM

Saw this. Liked it. I still think Trivex is the best material overall.

**other_bill_fea** · 08-24-2015, 12:42 PM

Great article, Barry. I'm glad to have been able to help you out in whatever way I was able.

Free-form technology for glass not only expands the availability range of glass progressives dramatically, free-form is also generally cheaper than traditional progressives.

We're also hoping to have some other interesting glass offerings by the end of the year, and hopefully it will only add to the resurgence in glass.