BROOKLYN, N.Y.--Reliable Optics, an eight-month-old independent wholesale lab based here, recently expanded its services with the addition of in-house anti-reflective coating capabilities. The lab’s Crystál AR Technology Center produces two types of coatings: Crystál Allure with super oleophobic topcoat and Crystál AR with hydrophobic topcoat.

 
Reliable Optics’ co-owners Eddie Purman, left, and Howard Fried, OD, inside the lab’s Crystal AR technology center.
“As we explored the inception of Reliable Optics, it became immediately apparent through customer feedback that their choice was to support an independent laboratory which could provide all of their eyewear needs, especially at the local level,” said Eddie Purman, who co-founded the lab with Dr. Howard Fried, OD.

“This included the ability to provide in-house AR, thereby streamlining the entire delivery process. By staffing our laboratory with seasoned personnel with over 20 years of combined experience in serving eyecare professionals, Reliable Optics is dedicated to fulfilling the individual needs of its customers. In the ever-changing world of consolidation in the optical industry, we are committed to supporting independent ECPs.”

James Orr, operations manager, added, “With the addition of our state-of-the-art Crystál AR Technology Center, we are able to offer ECP’s a superior product as we control the entire process from start to finish--surfacing, to AR coating, to finishing--with service they can consistently rely on.”

Before becoming business partners, Purman operated a prescription lab for Vision Lens Express, a company owned by Fried that serviced Veterans Administration hospitals in the New York area. Purman then started his own business, Elm Optical, that primarily did uncut jobs for optical retailers. They opened Reliable Optics on May 1, 2007.

“Eddie is the full-time operations manager, and I handle more of the adminstrative side of the business,” said Fried.

Located in an industrial park in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Reliable Optics’ 10,000 square-foot facility services eyecare professionals in the New York metropolitan area. The company, which employs 35 people, plans to expand service to other areas throughout the Northeast, according to Fried.

In addition to producing AR lenses, Reliable Optics offers all major lens brands and styles. The lab specializes in rimless eyewear as well as specialized jobs for cataract patients and others with low vision needs. It offers on-line ordering through its Web site at www.reliableoptics.com, and will be accepting orders through the VisionWeb portal beginning this month.