Described are systems and methods for controlling an ophthalmic lens edging machine are disclosed. The ophthalmic lens edging machine uses an edger code to select a macro or speed for a requested lens edging job. A system for creating and using the edger code may include a Lab Management System (LMS), a lens calculation system, and a lens edging machine. An edger code may be generated using lens data received from a lens management system and edging machine information identifying lens edging machines. The edger code comprises a plurality of characters. Each character is associated with a different feature of a requested edging job. The features of the requested edging job may include, for example, one or more of: a material type, a lens thickness, an edge type, a frame type, a lens coating, a lens shape, a lens ratio, a lens treatment, and an edging machine block type.