Spectacle frames that change colour to match the wearer’s outfit, glasses that translate conversations in real time and sports sunglasses designed for pickleball players were among the innovations drawing international buyers to this year’s Hong Kong International Optical Fair.
The 34th edition of the fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, attracted some 12,000 buyers from 101 countries and regions over three days. Buyers came from markets including the Chinese Mainland, Japan, Korea and the United States, as well as ASEAN economies including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Under the theme Bright Eyes • New Horizons, the fair brought together the latest products and solutions in fashion eyewear, smart technology and vision care, while connecting international buyers and suppliers for sourcing and business opportunities
Smilely Lam, HKTDC Acting Executive Director, said advances in artificial intelligence and rising demand in the silver economy were creating new opportunities for the industry.
“This year’s fair responded proactively to market trends by showcasing a wide range of innovative products and solutions that integrate smart technologies, health management and fashion design,” she said. “The fair highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths as an international trading hub.”
From smart glasses to pickleball
Artificial intelligence was firmly in focus. Exhibitors presented smart eyewear offering functions ranging from real-time translation and voice interaction to health monitoring and navigation.
Shenzhen Muedo Technology, a supplier of smart glasses for Lenovo, showcased models featuring a 13-megapixel camera and built-in display. The company received enquiries from buyers from India, Japan and the US and expected the fair to generate around US$1 million (HK$7.84 million) in sales.
“The Hong Kong International Optical Fair has long served as an important platform for our overseas expansion,” Founder and CEO David Chen said, adding that since joining the fair in 2023, the company has exported its products to Europe, Southeast Asia and the US.
Demographic change is creating another growth market. Hong Kong exhibitor Rayke Intelligent Technology unveiled senior hearing glasses alongside children’s smart glasses, generating enquiries from more than 30 distributors, retailers and brand owners across Asia and Europe.
Fashion and lifestyle trends were equally visible. The fair’s Brand Name Gallery featured some 200 brands from around the world, including Hong Kong’s BIG HORN, Germany’s STEPPER EYEWEAR, Italy’s Off-White and the UK’s Umbro.
BIG HORN debuted sports sunglasses designed specifically for pickleball players. Founder and Creative Director Kevin Ching said the company met more than 10 potential buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Egypt, Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines, with anticipated orders of around HK$1 million (US$127,000).
Hong Kong also helped international buyers expand their supplier networks. Malaysian distributor Skyline Optical Trading, which procures around US$1 million (HK$7.84 million) through the fair annually, identified two potential Mainland OEM suppliers for titanium and TR90 plastic frames. Egyptian wholesaler and retailer Kayan Optics, meanwhile, placed orders worth around US$29,000 for lenses from two Mainland suppliers.
Design talent takes the stage
Beyond sourcing, the 26th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition was held alongside the fair to encourage design excellence and nurture local talent. Under the theme Mix & Match, designers explored eyewear as both a fashion accessory and a form of self-expression. Cheng Wai-ho won the Open Group with a design that uses a colour sensor to match the frame colour with the wearer’s outfit.
Business connections will continue beyond the physical fair. Through HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ model, buyers and exhibitors can arrange meetings through the Click2Match platform until 13 November, extending the international sourcing and collaboration opportunities generated in Hong Kong.