The present invention relates to a method of controlling an ophthalmic edger device, and a machine programmed to edge and ophthalmic lens blank. A lens blank and an edger device for forming a groove in a peripheral edge of the lens blank are provided. A central processing unit is provided, which is operably associated with the edger device for controlling operation of the edger device. Processing instructions are transmitted from the central processing unit to the edger device, wherein the processing instructions comprise forming a groove in a peripheral edge of a lens blank, and removing lens material debris from the formed groove.