AUSTIN, Texas—Industry portal VisionWeb is launching a new contact lens ordering service for its members.

Similar to VisionWeb’s spectacle lens and frame engines, according to the company, the CL engine displays unique product catalogs for each contact lens supplier, with only products carried by that supplier displayed. A new search feature allows users to find CLs based on categories such as lens type, manufacturer, color, series, wear schedule, pack and UPC.

When the product is found, users can order lenses one product at a time or order multiple products using the new Grid View feature. In addition, the new CL engine offers a Fast Order feature, which allows users to scan the UPC barcode of a product and automatically add the product to their Item List.

Orders can be shipped to the eyecare practitioner’s office or directly to the patient.

Said Ken Engelhart, VisionWeb’s president and chief executive officer, “The new features and functionality will improve the user experience, and make ordering contact lenses on VisionWeb even better than before. This is the first among many exciting upgrades for our customers in 2009.”

Adds Eric Muzy, CIO for VisionWeb, “The enhancements launched in the new contact lens engine are the result of market research and customer feedback coupled with the latest VisionWeb ordering technology. With this launch comes a view of the future of VisionWeb ordering.”

Contact lens suppliers on the VisionWeb network currently include ABB Concise, Diversified Ophthalmics, ODG, OOGP, New Era Optical and Vistakon. ■