Celebrating 20 Years of AccuLab Optical: Our Story, Our Passion, and What Sets Us Apart

AccuLab Optical
Jul 31
4 min read

Updated: Aug 1

By Jon J. Trutt

Published: 7/31/2025

July 2025 marks a major milestone for us. AccuLab Optical is officially 20 years old!

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate two decades of serving eye care professionals with precision optics, personalized service, and innovative lens solutions. In honor of the occasion, we wanted to share our story — how AccuLab began, the growth we’ve experienced, and what makes our lab truly one of a kind.

Whether you’ve worked with us for years or are just getting to know us, we hope this gives you a better idea of who we are and how much heart, history, and craftsmanship goes into every lens we make.

From Military Optics to Optical Entrepreneur: How It All Began

Before AccuLab ever existed, our founder and CEO, Chris Brundies, was mastering optics in a very different setting. He got his start in the U.S. Army.

In 1988, Chris trained at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Colorado, where he learned the ins and outs of lens surfacing and finishing in a military glass lens lab. This wasn’t just basic training. He became so skilled that he was trusted with high-stakes military projects, including crafting tactical lenses for helicopter pilots designed to scatter laser interference and protect pilots' vision during flight.

Chris spent three to four days a week in the lab, perfecting his craft in what was essentially a full-time job within the Army. After completing his service, he transitioned into civilian life. He married his wife, whom he met in the service, started a family, and continued pursuing his passion for optics.

He worked part-time in an optical retail shop with a small in-house lab while attending Northern Illinois University, and he eventually bought the store. He upgraded the lab himself, transitioning from outdated plastic lenses to modern polycarbonate and high-index materials, laying the foundation for what would become AccuLab.

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The Birth of AccuLab in 2005

In 2005, Chris decided it was time to take things to the next level. That’s when AccuLab Optical was born.

There was no staff, no investors, and no fancy setup. Just a vision, a lot of determination, and a few key pieces of equipment: a Gerber/Coburn SGX generator, wax blockers, an Acuity polisher, and Kappa edgers. Chris did it all - customer service, production, bookkeeping, deliveries, and everything in between.

As business grew, so did the lab’s capabilities. In 2008, AccuLab made a big leap into digital free form technology with a Schneider surfacing line. This improved both the precision and customization of our lenses. Over the following years, we expanded our finishing department and brought in our own anti-reflective coating technology.

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A New Home with Deep Roots: The 2020 Move

By 2020, AccuLab had outgrown its original space. We needed more room and better infrastructure to support our growth, so we moved into the historic building we now call home.

This wasn’t just any building. It was once part of DeKalb Ag, the agricultural biotech company known for pioneering hybrid corn and soybean development. The company was later acquired by Monsanto and is now part of Bayer AG. You might recognize their iconic ear of corn logo.

One of DeKalb Ag’s key figures, Charlie Gunn, actually worked in the very building we use. After the company moved out, the space became a school before we transformed it into a modern optical lab during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move wasn’t easy, but it allowed us to make major technological upgrades. We installed OptoTech surfacing machines from Germany, known for their ability to measure up to 1/100th of a diopter. We also expanded our AR department with a Buhler CCS 610 coating machine, allowing us to produce even more of our Atlantis Series coatings in-house. And just recently, we became an official VSP lab and began working as an out-of-network provider for EyeMed.

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What Makes AccuLab Different?

After two decades of serving the optical industry, here’s what truly sets AccuLab apart:

We’re Independent

AccuLab is not owned by a corporation, so we’re free to focus entirely on quality, customer service, and innovation. We work with leading alternative brands like IOT from Spain and Seiko from Japan, offering lens designs that often outperform the big names.

Advanced Technology

Our OptoTech surfacing line provides industry-leading accuracy and consistency. OptoTech even uses our lab as a testing site for future technologies. Our house brand, Montanel™ progressives, are designed specifically to complement these machines, creating a perfect match between lens design and production.

In-House AR Coatings

We don’t outsource our coatings. Our Atlantis Series includes:

• Poseidon (Green)

• Neptune (Blue)

• Trident (Blue Blocker)

These coatings match and often exceed the performance of many well-known industry brands.

State-of-the-Art Finishing

Using MEI and Santinelli edgers, we handle everything from wrap frames and drill mounts to Chemistrie clips and customized edging.

Quick Turnaround

We know time matters. Most jobs ship in 3 business days or less, and uncut lenses often go out in 1–2 days.

Hands-On Ownership

Chris still has his desk in the surfacing department and works alongside our team daily. His son, Michael, is a senior surfacing technician, making us a family company. Our staff has grown to include 20 talented team members, covering everything from intake and production to sales and customer support.

Veteran-Owned and Operated

AccuLab is proud to be one of only three service-disabled, veteran-owned lens labs in the entire country. Supporting fellow veterans and independent businesses is something we’re deeply passionate about.

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Here’s to the Next 20 Years

Whether you’ve partnered with us for years or are considering working with us for the first time, thank you for being part of our journey.

At AccuLab Optical, our mission is simple. We help your practice succeed by delivering high-quality, innovative lenses with fast turnaround and reliable service. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited for the next 20 years.