About Us

Galeski’s wholesale division became part of Bausch & Lomb in the early 1920s, and Bill moved up and down the east coast before settling in Roanoke, Virginia. While in Roanoke, Bill left Bausch & Lomb to be a manager at an independent lab, Blue Ridge Optical. In 1956, he left Blue Ridge to form his first lab, Professional Ophthalmic Laboratories (POL). He and two other investors started the company, and in 1961 his son Bob came to work for him. With Bob’s business sense and Bill’s optical experience, the two decided to start their own business, Schroeder Optical in 1972.

The father and son team entered the venture with 71 years of experience between them and brought on other experienced opticians. Bill Schroeder worked in the business until his death in 1981. In 1991, Schroeder Optical entered not only its third decade, but its third generation of Schroeders. Tom Schroeder grew up in his father’s and grandfather’s business and has helped with every aspect of the business. After nine years managing the company’s sales and marketing efforts, Tom Schroeder became President in 2000.