About Optogrid: Innovating PD Measurement Since 2010
Vancouver BC – Canada 🍁 – Our home
In Brief
Optogrid is a technology company that has enabled online pupillary distance (PD) measurement since 2010 with patented photo-based technology. Born from 40+ years of family experience in optics, we now empower opticians and optometrists worldwide to deliver clinical-grade PD measurements remotely or in-store.
Our Story: From Family Eyewear Store to Optical Technology Leader
We grew up in the optical industry, watching family members help hundreds of customers see better every day. For more than four decades, our family-run eyewear store served our local community with dedication and precision, building deep expertise in prescription lenses and optical care.
When the internet began changing how people buy eyeglasses, we saw both a challenge and an opportunity. Online eyewear retailers were growing rapidly, but they faced a critical barrier: how could customers obtain accurate pupillary distance measurements without visiting a physical store? We knew from our decades of experience that precise PD measurements are essential for comfortable, effective prescription eyewear.
Recognizing this gap between traditional optical care and the demands of the digital era, we introduced the Optogrid concept in 2010. We invested years of research and development to create the first photo-based PD measurement system, combining our lifetime of optical knowledge with cutting-edge computer vision technology.
The Problem We Solve for Optical Retailers
Pupillary distance measurement has always been a significant barrier for online eyewear sales. Traditional plastic PD rulers are notoriously inaccurate, with errors of ±2-3mm that can cause eye strain and headaches. Professional digital pupillometers deliver clinical-grade accuracy, but they cost between $200-800, making them inaccessible for many small optical businesses.
Without knowing their PD, customers would abandon online purchases or receive ill-fitting glasses. Meanwhile, in-store opticians faced time-consuming manual measurements that slowed their workflow. Independent optical shops struggled to compete with large online retailers who could absorb the cost of expensive measurement equipment.
Our solution changed the equation: clinical-grade accuracy (±1mm precision) using just a smartphone camera and a standard credit card as a reference object. This innovation enables both remote customer service for online sales and faster, more efficient in-store measurements, giving small independent opticians the same capabilities as large retailers at a fraction of the cost.
The Patented Technology (2012)
In 2012, Optogrid received a patent for the world’s first photo-based pupillary distance measurement system using a calibrated reference object. This patent validates years of research and development investment and represents a significant innovation in optical technology.
Our patented system uses advanced computer vision algorithms and calibration techniques to analyze a simple photograph. The customer places a standard credit card on their forehead as a size reference, takes a photo, and our technology calculates their interpupillary distance with ±1mm precision, matching the accuracy of professional pupillometers costing hundreds of dollars.
This breakthrough has been validated through thousands of measurements across dozens of countries since 2012, proving its reliability and effectiveness in real-world optical practice.
Our Mission: Empowering Modern Optical Businesses
Our mission extends far beyond PD measurement technology. We exist to empower optical businesses to thrive in the digital age by removing barriers and creating opportunities:
- Enable online prescription eyewear sales without the traditional measurement barriers that caused customer abandonment
- Enhance in-person customer experiences with faster, more efficient workflows that free up opticians to focus on personalized service
- Give small independent opticians the same technological capabilities as large retailers, leveling the competitive playing field
- Bridge traditional optical expertise with modern digital commerce, helping family-owned shops transition successfully to omnichannel retail
We believe that innovation should democratize access to professional tools, not create new barriers. Our values drive everything we do:
- Innovation: Continuously improving our technology to serve our clients better
- Precision: Unwavering commitment to ±1mm accuracy in every measurement
- Accessibility: Fair pricing that makes professional-grade tools available to businesses of all sizes
- Customer Success: We succeed when our clients succeed, growing their businesses and serving their patients better
- Authenticity: Honest, transparent approach in all our relationships
Who Uses Optogrid
Our clients span the entire optical industry across multiple continents:
- Online eyewear retailers and e-commerce platforms needing remote PD measurement for customer orders
- Brick-and-mortar opticians adding convenient remote services or streamlining in-store workflows
- Optometrists and ophthalmologists offering telehealth services or efficient in-office measurements
- Lens laboratories requiring accurate PD data for prescription fulfillment
- Independent optical shops competing with large chain retailers
We serve clients across multiple continents, with particularly strong presence in Brazil, Latin America, North America, and expanding reach throughout Europe and Asia, helping modernize optical retail worldwide.
Privacy, Security and Compliance
Trust and data protection are fundamental to our operation. Optogrid is fully compliant with GDPR (Europe) and LGPD (Brazil) data protection regulations. Customer photos are processed securely using encrypted connections and hosted on secure servers.
We are committed to transparent data handling: photos are processed solely for PD calculation and can be automatically deleted after measurement according to client preferences. We never sell or share customer data with third parties.
Security and privacy aren’t afterthoughts, they’re built into our technology from the ground up, ensuring your patients’ information remains protected at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Optogrid
Where is Optogrid located?
Optogrid is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and serves clients worldwide across multiple continents.
When was Optogrid founded?
The Optogrid concept was introduced in 2010, with our patented technology officially granted in 2012. Our founding team’s optical industry experience spans over 40 years through family business roots.
Who can use Optogrid solutions?
Optogrid serves opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, online eyewear retailers, brick-and-mortar optical shops, and lens laboratories worldwide. If you need accurate pupillary distance measurements, Optogrid can help.
Is Optogrid technology patented?
Yes, Optogrid’s photo-based PD measurement system using a calibrated reference object was patented in 2012, representing a first-of-its-kind innovation in remote optical measurement.
How many customers use Optogrid globally?
Since 2012, our technology has powered thousands of PD measurements across dozens of countries on multiple continents, with particularly strong adoption in Brazil, Latin America, North America, and growing presence in Europe and Asia.
What makes Optogrid different from traditional pupillometers?
Optogrid delivers the same clinical-grade accuracy (±1mm) as professional pupillometers costing $200-800, but using just a smartphone camera and credit card. This makes professional measurements accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes while enabling remote customer service impossible with traditional equipment.
How can I try Optogrid?
Visit our main website to learn more about our solutions, view demonstrations, and contact our team to discuss how Optogrid can benefit your optical practice or retail operation.
Do you have international support?
Yes, Optogrid serves clients worldwide with support available in multiple languages. We have particularly strong experience supporting optical businesses in North America, Latin America, and expanding global markets.
Join us on this journey of vision, innovation, and care. Welcome to the future of eyewear, welcome to Optogrid.