Frames
Who makes the brands on your board and how materials and mounting styles change the fit and the lens choice.
Eyeglasses and Optical · Section Guide
Eyeglasses and Optical Frames, lenses, labs and the business of the optical.
Everything a practice needs to run a confident optical, in one place: frame brands and materials, lens brands, designs and materials, coatings and photochromics, sun and safety eyewear, lab work and the rules that govern prescription release.
12Optical guides in this section
Sept 2024Updated FTC Eyeglass Rule in effect
50 inFDA drop-ball test height for lenses
15%RescueLink participation credit on eligible OTC orders
What this section covers
Four parts of a working optical
The guides are grouped the way an optical actually runs: what goes on the face, what goes in the frame, what protects the eyes, and how the business works.
Lenses
Brands, designs, materials and coatings, plus light-adaptive and blue-light lenses, with the evidence where it matters.
Protection
Sunwear and polarization for everyday UV protection, and safety and sports eyewear built to separate standards.
Operations
Labs and in-office edging, the FTC Eyeglass Rule, lens menus, second pairs and accessories.
Where to start
Practices building or refreshing an optical usually work through these in order.
- Get prescription release right
- Standardize a three-tier lens menu
- Add second pairs and accessories
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Compliance
Release prescriptions immediately after the refractive exam and keep signed confirmations for three years under the 2024 FTC rule.
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Lens menu
Pick a primary lens brand, set good, better and best tiers, and bundle coatings and photochromics into each quote.
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Board and vendors
Know which eyewear groups your reps represent and build the board around your patients’ price points.
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Second pairs
Rx sun, workspace lenses and safety eyewear each start from a real patient need, not a hard sell.
Supplies and support
How Vision Rescue fits the optical
Vision Rescue supplies the over-the-counter side of eye care at wholesale and helps practices send patients home with the right products.
Eyewear care at wholesale
Lens cleaners, anti-fog products, nose pads and other eyewear accessories for checkout.
RescueLink
Send patients a product list by text or email. Eligible OTC orders earn the practice a 15% participation credit; contact lenses and Rx are excluded.
Talk to the team
Questions about accounts or products: providers@visionrescue.com or 1-855-692-8024.
All optical guides
Frames and lenses
| Frame brands | Frame brands and manufacturers |
|---|---|
| Frame materials | Frame materials and styles |
| Lens brands | Spectacle lens brands and manufacturers |
| Lens designs | Single vision, progressive, office and digital |
| Lens materials | Polycarbonate, Trivex, high-index and glass |
| Coatings | Anti-reflective and specialty coatings |
Specialty lenses and protective eyewear
| Photochromics | Transitions and the main alternatives |
|---|---|
| Blue light | Blue light filtering lenses and the evidence |
| Sunwear | Sunglasses and polarized lenses |
| Protective | Safety and sports eyewear |
Operations and related sections
| Labs | Optical labs and edging: in-house vs outsourced |
|---|---|
| Business | Running a profitable optical |
| Vision plans | Insurance and billing guides |
| Myopia | Myopia control spectacle lenses |
| Kids | Kids’ eyewear and contact lenses |
How these guides are sourced
- Product and brand facts come from each manufacturer’s own US pages or announcements.
- Regulatory facts come from the FTC, FDA and OSHA texts.
- Clinical context comes from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and peer-reviewed reviews.
- Each guide lists its references at the bottom of the page.
About these guides
Vision Rescue does not rank or review brands in these guides. Product lineups and ownership change often, so confirm current details with each manufacturer, vendor or lab before ordering.
Common questions about the optical section
Where should a new optical start?
With prescription release under the FTC Eyeglass Rule, then a clear three-tier lens menu and a board built around your patients.
Does Vision Rescue sell frames or lenses?
Vision Rescue supplies over-the-counter eye care and eyewear accessories at wholesale. Frames and lenses come from your frame vendors and lab.
What earns the RescueLink participation credit?
Eligible OTC orders placed on VisionRescue.com through RescueLink earn a 15% participation credit. Contact lenses and prescription products are excluded.
Are the brand lists endorsements?
No. Brands are listed for reference from each company’s own materials; the guides do not rank or review them.
How current is this information?
Facts were checked against manufacturer, regulator and professional-society sources in October 2026 and are cited on each page.
References
- Federal Trade Commission. Final Eyeglass Rule, June 2024. FTC
- US FDA. 21 CFR 801.410 impact-resistant lenses. eCFR
- Laramy-K Optical. Lens surfacing and finishing education. Laramy-K
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Blue light-blocking glasses. AAO
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Sunglasses. AAO
Build an optical patients trust
Get the basics right, keep the menu clear, and use the guides as a reference for your team.
These guides are written for licensed eye care professionals and are informational only. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners and are not endorsements. Regulatory summaries are not legal advice.