Premium vs. Standard Lab*
Unfortunately, not all labs are created equal. We currently use 2 labs.
The grinding of lenses for prescriptions is a manual process. While all prescriptions are required to be within certain "tolerances", higher paid and more experienced lab professionals, using better equipment, can produce a better product. Because there are not any standard ratings, consumers of prescription lenses have no way of determining which lab or retailer produces better products, except by trial and error, which can be quite time consuming and expensive.
Having tried multiple labs over the years, we have concluded that we need to offer both premium lenses for those demanding the best, and standard lenses for those who are more price conscious in order to remain price competitive.
The standard lab does do a good job (otherwise we wouldn't offer it at all) and is far superior than the lower end labs and retailers. And, for prescriptions where Sphere + Cylinder is within +/- 3.00, the standard lab should be fine. The higher the prescription, the more it matters.
So how should you decide? I thought the best way would be through the following actual example: my daughter had a pair of glasses made by the standard lab, which she was fine with (-3.00 for each eye). I had a backup pair made from the premium lab, which after putting them on, she said she liked much better.
*Allow an extra week if using the Standard Lab.