Stereo Optical: Today's Leader in Vision Testing
From our roots as a manufacturer of vision testing equipment, to our continued technological innovation over decades of research, to our recent affiliation with Essilor, Stereo Optical has long been a leader in the field of vision testing. We are proud of our strong heritage and look forward to meeting your vision testing needs.
Company History
The company was originally founded as the Three Dimension Company in the late 1930’s by Dr. Walter and Chris Lewis. At that time, it offered 3-D products for 35mm stereo projectors to train aircraft gunners and coast watchers, and 3-D commercial advertising for consumer products.
In 1945, the Three Dimension Company was renamed Stereo Optical Co. Throughout the next decades, Stereo Optical created vision testing equipment for Titmus Optical, and manufactured retinoscopes and vectograms. In 1980, Stereo Optical entered the driver licensing market. Currently Stereo Optical provides vision testers to 47 of the 50 U.S. states.
During the 1980's, Stereo Optical ended its relationship with Titmus Optical to focus on its own proprietary vision tester technology. The company launched its Optec® 2000 series in 1986. Through an agreement with Arthur Ginsburg, PhD., creator of the F.A.C.T.® contrast sensitivity test, Stereo Optical entered the contrast sensitivity testing market. Research and development efforts continued throughout the 1980's as Stereo Optical was approached to add day and night glare simulations in vision testers for a clinical trial on an intraocular lens, and for a clinical trial on multifocal lenses. With the company's growing expertise in contrast sensitivity testing, in 1990 Stereo Optical began marketing its Optec® 3000 series of vision testers, featuring contrast sensitivity with glare testing.
In 2002, Stereo Optical was recognized for its excellence in vision testing equipment when it was acquired by Essilor, a €2 billion company and the world leader in vision technology. The acquisition made Stereo Optical the world's largest vision testing manufacturer. Continuing to focus on its exciting developments with contrast sensitivity testing, in 2004 Stereo Optical introduced the Optec® 5000 series. With EyeView® software, Stereo Optical solidified its position as the world's premier vision testing company. Stereo Optical introduced the Optec® 6500 series for clinical trials in 2004. Customers included Pharmacia, Bausch & Lomb, Advanced Medical Optics, Alcon, and C&C Vision.
Today Stereo Optical continues its tradition of excellence with the introduction of the Functional Vision Analyzer™ for the clinical market. This state-of-the-art system combines Stereo Optical's contrast sensitivity testing with EyeView® software to enable practitioners to document, quantify, and manage patient vision data better than ever before. With this powerful system, Stereo Optical continues to enhance its leadership position in the vision testing market.
Stereo Optical offers a range of vision products for numerous applications. For complete details, please visit our product pages at www.stereooptical.com
Please use the form below to request an in-office demo of our Functional Vision Analyzer™