The 34th Hong Kong International Optical Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, concluded on November 9 after a three-day run that attracted some 12,000 buyers from 101 countries and regions. Under the theme "Bright Eyes • New Horizons," the fair reinforced its position as a premier international platform for cross-border trade and collaboration, with buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily originating from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the US, and ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Smilely Lam, HKTDC Acting Executive Director, said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and growing demand driven by the silver economy are creating new growth opportunities for the optical industry. The fair responded proactively to market trends by showcasing products that integrate smart technologies, health management and fashion design, while highlighting Hong Kong's strengths as an international trading hub. The event enabled exhibitors to connect with global buyers, explore new customer segments and expand into international markets.
The fair's signature Brand Name Gallery featured some 200 renowned brands from around the world, including BIG HORN and LOOMINELITE from Hong Kong, Ouieike and PARZIN from the Chinese Mainland, Classico from Taiwan, Minima and Sabine Be from France, ByWP and STEPPER EYEWEAR from Germany, Modo and Off-White from Italy, nimome and VR&VERGT from Korea, TIJN from the Netherlands, Brevno from Russia, and Umbro from the UK. Exhibits spanned fashion eyewear, functional eyewear and innovative technology products.
Kevin Ching, Founder and Creative Director of Hong Kong brand BIG HORN, said the company showcased sports sunglasses designed specifically for pickleball enthusiasts for the first time. During the fair, BIG HORN met with more than 10 potential buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Egypt, Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines, and expects orders worth around HK$1 million.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a key theme, with exhibitors showcasing smart eyewear incorporating real-time translation, voice interaction, health monitoring and navigation. David Chen, Founder and CEO of Shenzhen Muedo Technology Co., Ltd., said the company has become a Tier-1 supplier of smart glasses for Lenovo and is showcasing two new products, including smart glasses with a 13-megapixel camera and smart glasses with a built-in display. To address privacy concerns, the glasses include a physical camera cover that users must slide open before taking photos. Chen expects the fair to generate around US$1 million in sales.
The silver economy also featured prominently, with exhibitors presenting eye-care products, functional lenses and vision-assistance devices for mature consumers. Hong Kong exhibitor Rayke Intelligent Technology Limited unveiled senior hearing glasses and children's smart glasses, receiving enquiries from more than 30 distributors, retailers and brand owners across nine markets, with expected sales of approximately US$100,000.
Buyers from around the world attended, including Australian retailer The Optical Company, Canadian chain Optical London Drugs, French chain Optical Factory, Indonesia's Grand Optik, Malaysia's Skyline Optical, Singapore-based Capitol Optical, Spain's Protecfarma and the US's Vision Plus. Frian Lin, Director of Malaysian distributor Skyline Optical Trading, said the company's annual procurement through the fair is around US$1 million, and it identified two potential OEM suppliers at this year's event. Cristian Hurtado, Project Manager of Spain's Grey Sunglasses, said the fair has helped establish sourcing partnerships worth around EUR65,000 annually. Ahmed Mansy, CEO of Egyptian wholesaler Kayan Optics, placed an additional order worth US$15,000 for Nyx Vision lenses and sourced more than 7,000 optical lenses from another supplier.
The HKTDC and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association also co-organised the 26th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition under the theme "Mix & Match." In the Open Group, Cheng Wai-ho won the champion with "Audio Reactive Chroma," featuring a built-in spectral colour sensor that synchronises the frame colour with the wearer's outfit. In the Student Group, Lee Sum-yau won top honours with "Paris Fantasy," while Lo Hoi-pui received the inaugural Technology Concept Award for "Adal-EYE," a design allowing seamless switching between eyewear and jewellery. The full results are available in the competition results document.
The fair continues to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, integrating online and offline elements through the Click2Match platform until November 13. For more information, visit the Hong Kong International Optical Fair website, the 24th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium page, or the HKTDC's Media Room. The HKTDC, a statutory body established in 1966, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through international exhibitions, conferences and business missions, and provides market insights via research reports and digital news channels.
