Optician supply with refraction and sports eyewear system

The work of opticians has changed significantly in recent years. While individual services - such as refraction or the production of spectacles - were often organised separately in the past, the need for integrated solutions is growing today.

Everyday business demands systems that combine measurement, advice and product supply. Providers who not only supply individual products but also cover complete process chains are operating in precisely this area of tension. This is less about spectacular individual innovations and more about combining existing components. The decisive factor is how seamlessly devices, lenses, frames and workshop requirements can be integrated into daily operations. For many companies, this bundling is increasingly becoming an economic factor.

Dao combines refraction equipment and optician's supplies

Dao's approach follows precisely this logic. Instead of focussing on individual product groups, the company covers a broad spectrum. This includes spectacle lenses, devices for refraction and screening, automatic grinding machines as well as frames and accessories for the workshop. This breadth is not a matter of course. Many suppliers deliberately specialise in certain areas, such as lenses or measurement technology. Dao, on the other hand, focusses on complete supply, supporting opticians in several process steps. For companies, this means shorter coordination channels and less complexity in purchasing. At the same time, the structure remains manageable. The company is owner-managed and has a strong regional focus without being part of a larger group. This positioning also influences the nature of the collaboration, which is more focussed on direct relationships and long-term partnerships.

Polaskop2 experience refraction with 3D measurement and open eyes

A central element in the portfolio is the Polaskop2 refraction system. It represents a further development of classic measurement methods and is based on a so-called experience refraction. This refers to a measurement situation that is closer to real visual conditions. In technical terms, this primarily means a 3D-based refraction in which both eyes can remain open. This differs from many traditional methods in which one eye is covered at a time. The simultaneous use of both eyes allows a more natural perception and can lead to more precise results, particularly in the case of more complex visual defects. It is also possible to carry out measurements under different lighting conditions. Day and night situations can be simulated, allowing visual behaviour to be better recorded in various everyday scenarios. For the end customer, this results in greater comfort during the measurement. The system is based on a predecessor model that is already in use in many businesses. More than 2,500 opticians have worked with it, which shows a certain market penetration. The successor model extends this basis with additional functions without changing the basic principle.

Performer sports eyewear collection with customised lenses

In addition to measurement technology, the product range also plays a central role. With the Performer collection, Dao focuses on sports glasses that are offered both as ready-made frames and as customised visual aids. The crucial point is the ordering process. The frames are initially held in stock by the optician. Customised lenses are only ordered when required. The company then takes over the production and returns the finished glasses. This reduces the amount of work required in the workshop. The range of options is wide. Different colours, materials and surfaces are available. Polarised lenses, mirror coatings or classic versions can be combined. This results in numerous configuration options that are tailored to different sporting requirements.

• Customised lens thicknesses to order
• various materials and colour variants
• Options such as polarisation or mirror coating
• Combination of stock-keeping and customised production

Integration of devices, frames and workshop requirements

The real strength of the concept lies in the interaction between the individual components. Devices for refraction provide the basis for determining visual acuity. Frames and lenses form the basis for the product. This is supplemented by automatic grinding machines and accessories for the workshop. In practice, this means that several steps can be mapped within one system. The path from measurement to the finished pair of glasses can be organised in a more structured way. At the same time, there are fewer interfaces between different providers. This approach can be particularly relevant for smaller companies. They benefit from a clearer structure and reduced coordination effort. Larger companies, on the other hand, use bundling to standardise processes.

The role of integrated systems in everyday opticianry

The trend towards integrated solutions is not an isolated phenomenon. It reflects a broader change in the market. Increasing demands for advice, product diversity and service mean that processes need to be organised more efficiently. At the same time, customer expectations are growing. Eye tests should be more convenient, products more individualised and the selection more transparent. Systems such as the Polaskop2 or modular sports eyewear concepts are responding to these expectations. The trend is not necessarily towards complete automation. Rather, hybrid models are emerging in which technology plays a supporting role, while professional advice continues to play a central role. Opticians therefore remain decision-makers in the process, but are given tools that structure their work. In this context, it is clear that it is not individual products that determine success, but the ability to combine different elements in a meaningful way. Providers who create this connection are increasingly shaping developments in the ophthalmic optics market.