Mission:Optician

What role do independent labs play in today’s optical industry, and why should opticians be paying attention? In this episode of Mission:Optician, Brandon Butler, president and CEO of Artisan Lab Network, sits down with Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA). With more than two decades of experience across optics, lens manufacturing, and lab management, Brandon shares how the industry is evolving — from consolidation to the resurgence of independent labs — and what that means for opticians, patients, and the future of eye care. Plus, Brandon discusses his efforts to expand the optical workforce by training and hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, which creates pathways into opticianry for motivated new talent. In this episode, you will learn: The economics behind independent lab operations How industry consolidation has shaped lab options for independent practices Why the relationship between opticians and labs is more critical than ever How the Artisan Lab Network is reclaiming the art of lens manufacturing, and why that matters for patient outcomes  This episode is brought to you by the Artisan Lab Network. Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org  Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

What do patients think an optician does? Do they assume opticians are licensed and certified? And how does that impact trust, policy, and the future of the profession? In 2025, the United Opticians Association partnered with The Vision Council to commission a national survey exploring consumer attitudes toward optician licensing and professional qualifications. In this data-driven episode of Mission:Optician, host Gwen Cooper, executive director of UOA, is joined by Bob Alexander, UOA’s director of education, and special guest Alysse Henkel, former vice president of research and inSights at The Vision Council, to unpack the findings from this consumer attitudes survey. They discuss the gaps between patient expectations and reality in opticianry and share key findings to inform lawmakers.   Plus, hear what this data means for education pathways and elevating the opticianry profession — while celebrating the high satisfaction rates opticians already achieve. In this episode, you will learn: What consumers understand (and misunderstand) about opticians What patients expect from opticians in terms of certification and qualifications Why opticians earn high satisfaction ratings and how to keep building on that success How UOA and The Vision Council transformed “anec-data” into research-backed findings that can drive advocacy  Explore the consumer attitudes survey results at https://www.opticians.org/consumer-attitudes  Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org  Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

What are vision benefits, and what do opticians need to understand about how they work? In this episode of Mission:Optician, Steve Alexander, vice president of industry and strategic partnerships at Anagram, sits down with Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), to unpack vision benefits, insurance, and the systems that shape today’s optical industry. Steve shares a candid look at how vision plans work, why reimbursements haven’t kept pace, and how this impacts day-to-day optical practices based on his 25 years of experience across opticianry, practice management, and healthcare technology. In this episode, you will learn: What vision benefits cover and how they differ from traditional insurance Why patients often struggle to understand (and use) their benefits The underlying reasons why vision plan reimbursements have remained stagnant How tools like Anagram help opticians verify eligibility, streamline workflows, and improve patient access This episode is brought to you by Anagram. Join us at UOA’s One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference taking place June 25-27 in Chicago, where opticians, educators, and industry partners will gather to explore innovation, advocacy, and the future of the profession. Secure your spot: https://www.uoaleadership.org/ Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org   Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

How do ANSI standards impact opticians, patient safety, and the optical industry as a whole? Michael Vitale, vice president of membership, government relations, and technical affairs at The Vision Council, sits down with host Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), to explore why standards are essential for safe and effective eyecare. Michael breaks down the latest updates to ANSI Z80.1 for prescription lenses and ANSI Z80.3 for sunglasses and fashion eyecare, highlighting the real-world implications for opticians, consumers, and manufacturers.  Hear insights from his four-decade career as a licensed optician, why certification is crucial for opticians, and how standards impact emerging technologies like 3D-printed frames. In this episode, you will learn: Why opticians should understand ANSI standards How state associations play a critical role in advancing the profession What’s coming next on Mission:Optician, including upcoming speakers and topics Join us at UOA’s One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference taking place June 25-27 in Chicago, where opticians, educators, and industry partners will gather to explore innovation, advocacy, and the future of the profession. Secure your spot: https://www.uoaleadership.org/ Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org  Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

In this episode, Scott Harris Shapiro, executive director industry relations for Europa Eyewear, joins host Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on advocacy, education, and the future of opticianry.  Scott shares why government relations and policy are top priorities and makes the case for helping more opticians recognize the true value and impact of their profession. Gwen and Scott explore the impact of certification, especially from the consumer’s perspective, and discuss how better-trained opticians can reduce returns, improve patient outcomes, and drive revenue for optical practices.  Plus, Scott reflects on what it was like to grow up in a family business and how he aims to maintain those people-first values as the company grows. In this episode, you will learn:  Why advocacy and legislation are essential to advancing opticianry What the data reveals about consumer expectations — and how opticians can respond Why stronger collaboration among opticians, optometrists, and industry partners benefits everyone --- Join us at UOA’s One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference taking place June 25-27 in Chicago, where opticians, educators, and industry partners will gather to explore innovation, advocacy, and the future of the profession. Secure your spot: https://www.uoaleadership.org/ Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org  Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

What role do opticians play in improving patient outcomes, and why does the profession need a unified national voice? In this debut episode of Mission:Optician, the official podcast of the United Opticians Association (UOA), host Gwen Cooper, executive director, sits down with Bob Alexander, licensed optician and director of member education, to introduce the mission behind the organization and discuss the future of opticianry. They reflect on why opticians are essential to patient care, how the UOA is working to unify the profession, and what it will take to strengthen education, advocacy, and collaboration across the optical industry.  In this episode, you will learn: Why education and minimum competencies for opticians are a national priority How state associations play a critical role in advancing the profession What’s coming next on Mission:Optician, including upcoming speakers and topics Gwen and Bob also preview the UOA One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference taking place June 25-27 in Chicago, where opticians, educators, and industry partners will gather to explore innovation, advocacy, and the future of the profession. Secure your spot: https://uoaleadership.org/ Learn more about UOA and join our growing community at https://opticians.org  Shape the conversation on Mission:Optician! Tell us what topics and guests you want us to feature next at https://opticians.org/podcast 

Welcome to Mission:Optician, the official podcast of the United Opticians Association — created for opticians, industry partners, and anyone passionate about the future of eyecare! In this teaser from our first episode, executive director Gwen Cooper shares the show's vision, what listeners can expect, and why elevating opticians leads to better patient outcomes. Follow Mission:Optician on your favorite podcast platform as we bring together voices from across the optical field to inform, connect, and move the industry forward.