Sterling Optical vs My Eye Lab
Sterling Optical vs My Eye Lab: Sterling Optical costs $33K to $2.1M to open; My Eye Lab costs $350K to $539K. Sterling Optical has 11 units, My Eye Lab has 29. SBA loan history: Sterling Optical = 11 loans (27.3% default); My Eye Lab = 31 loans (6.5% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Sterling Optical vs My Eye Lab: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Sterling Optical requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $350K for My Eye Lab), a 91% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, My Eye Lab operates 29 units to Sterling Optical's 11, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
My Eye Lab has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 31 7(a) approvals compared with 11 for Sterling Optical.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 27.3% for Sterling Optical and 6.5% for My Eye Lab, My Eye Lab has the cleaner SBA loss record by 20.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Sterling Optical and 38 (Fair) for My Eye Lab, giving My Eye Lab the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 24/100 | 38/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 11 | 31 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 27.3% | 6.5% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $33K to $2.1M | $350K to $539K |
Franchise Fee | $10K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 8% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 6% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 11 | 29 |
Franchised Units | 11 | 29 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1914 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Garden City, NY | AUSTIN, TX |
Category | Offices of Optometrists | Offices of Optometrists |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Sterling Optical or My Eye Lab?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Sterling Optical: $33K starting · My Eye Lab: $350K starting
More SBA lender confidence
My Eye Lab
Sterling Optical: 11 SBA loans · My Eye Lab: 31 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
My Eye Lab
Sterling Optical: 27.3% · My Eye Lab: 6.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Sterling Optical: 11 units · My Eye Lab: 29 units
More lender financing options
My Eye Lab
Sterling Optical: 7 unique lenders · My Eye Lab: 19 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Sterling Optical vs My Eye Lab: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Sterling Optical and My Eye Lab is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $33K to $2.1M.
Sterling Optical has 11 SBA loans on record and My Eye Lab has 31. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Sterling Optical vs My Eye Lab, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Sterling Optical or My Eye Lab?
How much does a Sterling Optical franchise cost compared to My Eye Lab?
Can I finance Sterling Optical or My Eye Lab with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Sterling Optical or My Eye Lab?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman