Alaska BEST Optics

Laramy-K Optical Lab is an independent wholesale optical lab based in Indianola, Iowa—and that independence matters. Years ago, the team turned down a lucrative Varilux deal that would've required them to push a single brand over all others. They chose principles over profits. That decision shapes everything they do.

Location & Contact: - Address: 1107 E Hillcrest Dr, Indianola, IA 50125 - Phone: 800-525-1274 - Fax: 800-628-9819 - Hours: 7am-6:30pm M-F

Laramy-K handles the full range of lens work that independent dispensers need:

• •AR Coatings — In-house facility. Integrity AR coatings in multiple formulations: TKO Series (Atlas, Plus, Flash), ICE (colorless), Nightlite (night driving), DES (digital eye strain), UVarity. Weekly torture testing ensures durability.
• •Digital Surfacing & Freeform Lenses — Freeform with Camber Technology that adjusts base curve as power changes across progressive lenses.
• •Lens Edging & Finishing — Handles wrap frames, high-base curves, specialty materials including glass, lenticulars, and slab-offs. Known for precision edge control.
• •Lens Tinting — Full tint services available.
• •Stock Lenses — Pre-made lenses for quick turnaround.
• •Specialty Work — Dive masks, planos, custom jobs treated individually.
• •Optician Education — Training through OpticianWorks.com and their education library.

Every order gets hand-reviewed before entry. If something looks off—PD, seg height, B-measurement—they call you back. If a different design or material would work better, they suggest it. If you can save money with a stock lens instead of surfacing, they tell you.

"We make eye jewelry." — Janet Benjamin, President

They staff friendly people who actually understand lenses. When you call, you get someone who knows the product, knows you, and knows your preferences.

• •From Steve Grabowski (Optical Fashions/The Spectacle Emporium): "When a new lab calls, I tell 'em they'll never get me to divorce my lab. When I say that, they often guess who my lab is, which tells me that a lot of other customers feel the same way."

Partnership with UPS and FedEx gives competitive rates:

Shipping billed per shipment, not per job. They'll call if holding a single RX to batch with follow-ups and save you money.

Weekly samples of every Integrity AR coating endure:

1. Razor scoring (crosshatch knife cuts) 2. Tape pull (strong adhesive ripped off) 3. Salt boil (2+ minutes in boiling salt water) 4. Cold shock (direct transfer to cold water) 5. Microscopic inspection (any cracking, crazing, delamination gets caught) 6. R.I.T. (Random Insane Testing—ovens at 200°F followed by sub-zero snow banks)

Two decades of independent AR processing. They moved away from corporate brands to create their own formulations based on actual customer feedback.

Leadership: - Janet Benjamin, President/Owner ("Chief instigator") - Keith Benjamin, Co-Owner/Principal ("Championing independent optical") - John Larson, General Manager - Dani Hodges, Lab Supervisor

Customer Service & Operations: - Beth Juett, Customer Service Manager - John Seegers, Director of Education (Optician, writer, educator; also recreational cyclist, mountain climber, race car driver) - Full production team including digital surfacing, AR coating specialists, lens edging, tinting, inspection, and quality control

They treat each job as custom. They innovate (early adopter of in-house AR, leader in digital freeform). They laugh (because "in the sometimes maddening optical world, laughter often saves the day"). They're grateful. And they're not interested in being sold to by manufacturers—they're interested in solving your optical challenges.

• •From Richard Homier (Optical Perspectives): "In an impersonal world, I highly value business partners whose relationships can transcend business to become friends. Janet Benjamin and the team at Laramy-K have become both co-workers and friends...That's family!"