Fairfax, VA - OLA believes it is important to recognize the Ophthalmic Industry suppliers who have made an outstanding contribution to the laboratory community and allied professions.  An OLA Award of Excellence is the most prestigious award our industry offers.  “Recipients tell us that winning the Award adds credibility to their products and increases their sales,” said Ed Dietz, OLA President.   

“The OLA members congratulate and are honored to show our appreciation to all those nominated who have developed new technologies, created fashionable style, and enhanced the seeing experience, on such a vital service for consumer,” added Barney Dougher, OLA’s President Elect.   “Today we are announcing the final nominees for the 2007 Awards of Excellence.  These products and companies have been selected by OLA members to be considered for an Award.  This alone is high praise for each of these products,” adds Bob Dziuban, OLA Executive Director.   The final Award nominees are attached.  This begins the “primaries” phase of the program, where each Final Nominee company can “lobby” their customers for their votes.

The Award process will enter the voting stage in the fall.  Ultimately, OLA members determine the Award winners.  In late September every OLA lab member will be sent a ballot, and each company has one vote to cast for their choice.  Final winners will be announced at the President’s Banquet on November 17 at THE OLA 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) is the only optical organization devoted exclusively to the needs of optical laboratories and has been serving the ophthalmic community since 1894.  Members represent wholesale and retail optical laboratories.  OLA provides a variety of education materials for their members, eyecare professionals and consumers.  OLA publishes a member newsletter, MemberNews; education handbook, The Indispensable Dispensing Guide; the single information source on progressive addition lenses, the Progressive Identifier Chart; the consumer education brochure, Lens Menu; the consumer educational tool and lens demonstrator, the OLA Lens Center; and sponsors THE OLA -- World's Largest Equipment and Materials Show Exclusively for Optical Laboratories.

DRESS FRAMES                                                       
for prescription dress eyewear

SAFETY FRAMES 
for industrial safety eyewear

SPECIALTY FRAMES
for sports, sunglass or specialty eyewear

CHILDREN’S FRAMES marketed as children’s prescription eyewear 

LENS MATERIALS                                                                                                      material specific: a substrate, not a coating

LENS DESIGN                                                                                                    
design specific; not a material, tint, or coating 

LENS TREATMENTS                                  
treatment or coating applied to improve optics or performance 

MARKETING                          
programs that improve/enhance a product or service, and general education 

SURFACING EQUIPMENT                                                                      
grinding lenses, from blocking to inspection 

PROCESSING MATERIALS & TOOLS – SURFACING                
improves grinding lenses, including software and computer technology 

FINISHING EQUIPMENT                                                    
cutting/edging lenses, from blocking to final inspection 

PROCESSING MATERIALS & TOOLS – FINISHING                  
improves cutting lenses, including software and computer technology 

LENS TREATMENT EQUIPMENT                                      
improve/protect the lens surface, from surfacing to cleanup 

ACCESSORY PRODUCTS                             
sold to the end-user, increases  value of lens product, including packaging, cases, cleaning systems