IDOC introduces new Clerra ophthalmic lens range

IDOC is debuting Clerra, a new ophthalmic lens range exclusively available via its national network of optical laboratories across the United States.

How exciting … but first, a rundown on IDOC.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Trumbull, Connecticut, IDOC describes itself as an “ally for independent optometrists” built to assist them in staying competitive—all while practicing on their own terms.

To put it plainly: IDOC is a business alliance and services organization for independent eyecare practices.

By the numbers: The alliance's global community extends to +7K independent optometrists (3K in the U.S.) serving 50+ million patients while dispensing over 25 million pairs of glasses and supplying over 1 billion contact lenses each year.

So what does membership come with?

IDOC membership is built to make independent ownership easier. Within the Essential Membership, you gain access to:

Exclusive vendor programs and rebates
Peer networking and community (including the mobile app community)
Education events and expert-led insights
Practice data analytics and benchmarking tools
A HR hotline
Core business support to help you run and grow your practice

How it works:

One core membership: IDOC Essential
Choose a Contact Lens Share Program: Strengthen your buying power and profitability through structured vendor partnerships
IDOC Select – Higher rebate opportunity with Alcon and CooperVision, designed for practices committed to growing share. Includes performance tracking and insights tools.
IDOC Vantage – Flexible program with Bausch + Lomb and CooperVision, offering competitive pricing and rebates with no share commitment. Includes access to performance tracking tools.
Business Solutions: add-on services to keep business performance high
Books & Benchmarks – Monthly reconciliation with a dedicated Bookkeeper + automated benchmark insights to guide better financial decisions
Optometry Marketing Services – 3 Tier Plans and Solutions covering web design, social + digital optimization strategies to grow your patient base and specialty services.

Any notable names in the vendor programs?

Out of the 60+ vendors in the IDOC network, a few of IDOC's featured partners include Alcon, CooperVision, GPN Technologies, and ZEISS.

Check out the advantages that come with access to these (notably: top optical manufacturers and distributors—as well as wholesale pricing options on contact lenses, frames, and equipment).

Also keep in mind: OnlyIDOC Alliance members (not Client Services) can participate in the vendor programs.

How about that optical lab network mentioned earlier?

Ah yes—that would be IDOC Labs (which also ties into the new Clerra launch).

What it is: As part of IDOC’s expanding end-to-end ecosystem, IDOC Labs is a network of independent optical laboratories offering members exclusive access to two labs and their respective services:

Three Rivers Optical, a fully-integrated optical lab offering comprehensive (in-house and name-brand) lens products, frames, cases, and sundries from major companies and manufacturers.
- Its unique offering: Digital freeform technology
GSRx optical lab, a recent addition (March 2026) to the IDOC Labs network.
- Its unique offerings: Premium lens technology and coatings at half the price of big-name brands with a state-of-the-art 24/7 lab and in-house customer service team
  - Among these brands: Shamir, Transitions, HOYA, Avulux, and more.

So what advantages come with access to these labs?

Per IDOC, independent practices are afforded exclusive lenses and products with:

Consistent quality
Fewer remakes
Reliable turnarounds
Competitive pricing
Expertise in managing complex, hard-to-make prescriptions

Even more importantly: A complimentary IDOC Essential membership is available for current IDOC members using the labs.

And how does this Clerra ophthalmic lens launch factor in?

Built specifically for independent optometrists and opticians, Clerra is IDOC Labs’ new lens line featuring a streamlined portfolio covering the majority (90%) of a practice's day-to-day dispensing needs.

A few examples of how it’s doing this:

Simplifying lens conversations
Improving capture rates
Delivering a reported 25% in savings on lab bills via IDOC’s pricings

As Susan Daly, IDOC’s head of products, told Glance: "We need to get more patients into vision correction and the vision care that they need and have been priced out of.”

She added that IDOC is” focused on closing the care loop.”

So what’s the basic premise behind Clerra?

This is the first product IDOC is delivering from both of its independent optical labs under the IDOC Labs portfolio—with an intent to address two key areas for practices, according to Daly.

“Driving value to the practice, so it's at a very compelling price point that optometrists can then pass on to their patients—whether that's through packages or just how they're pricing the lens to the patient— and also simplifying the dispensing process,” she said.

Nice! Now explain this lens construct process.

As Daly noted, the construct of the lens is almost—if not more—important than the quality, value, and price Clerra delivers. The three-step process is as follows:

Select a lens base
1. Single-vision (SV), premium SV, anti-fatigue, progressive, or premium progressive
Pick a lens material
1. 1.50 plastic, polycarbonate, trivex, 1.67 high-index, or 1.74 super-thin
Choose the coatings
1. Anti-reflective (AR), premium AR, photochromic, or polarized

“The goal with this construct is to simplify and speed up the dispensing process,” Daly said.

And as IDOC CEO Dave Brown stated: "By simplifying the lens decision process into a focused, high-performing range, practices can spend less time explaining options and more time building trust with patients.”

Talk about the technology in this.

From advanced freeform designs—think: thinner, more aesthetically-pleasing—to tailoring for prescriptions and frames, Clerra’s lenses are intended to offer:

Improved clarity and peripheral lenses
Reduced situation and better image stability

Now to the big question: Why should optometrists consider adding Clerra?

Glance President Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO, asked Daly this very question.

Watch below for the answer.

Nice! And lastly, how can they learn more?

As the Clerra ophthalmic lens range is only available to IDOC customers, we’d recommend reaching out to the alliance directly for any questions about memberships.