Modern Optical
Modern Optical International is a third-generation, family-owned wholesale eyewear distributor founded in 1974, selling 1,300+ frame styles across 20+ sub-brands to independent eyecare professionals in the U.S. and 70+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersRoselle, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Modern Optical does
Modern Optical International is a third-generation, family-owned wholesale eyewear distributor founded in 1974 and headquartered in Roselle, Illinois. The company supplies independent eyecare professionals (ECPs) with a catalog of more than 1,300 frame styles across 20+ sub-brands — including value lines (Modern Plastics I & II, Modern Metals, modern times), specialty-fit collections (B.M.E.C. for larger men, GB+ for extended-size women, fashiontabulous for petites, modz kids), and lifestyle brands (modern art, genevieve boutique, genevieve paris design, giovani di venezia, G.V.X., modz titanium, modzflex, modz sunz, U Rock) — together with optical supplies such as cases, cloths, nose pads, parts, and tools. A dedicated Product Development Team introduces 75-100 new styles annually.
The business operates on a B2B wholesale model: customers must apply for and be approved for a company account, after which orders flow through direct sales representatives covering all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries, supported by an account-gated e-commerce site (ModernOptical.com/US) with SKU/UPC search, digital flipbook catalogs, lookbooks, and brandsheets. The proprietary OCHO Vision virtual try-on platform (ochovision.com) is offered to ECPs to modernize the in-office patient fitting experience, and the sales team uses EyeRep technology for order management. Fulfillment runs same-day with a stated 98%+ on-time rate.
The revenue model is one-time wholesale distribution of physical eyewear and supplies, with quote-based, non-publicly-disclosed pricing structured around managed care programs, insurance programs, frame/lens packages, and special promotions. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no subsidiaries, no M&A history, no public listing, and no external investors, consistent with stable long-term family control. Recognition includes five consecutive years as an "Ultimate Partner" by 20/20 and Vision Monday readers and a 2024 Best Places to Work in Illinois designation.
Modern Optical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Modern Optical
- Legal name
- Modern Optical International
- Website
- https://modernoptical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Modern Optical International is a third-generation, family-owned wholesale eyewear distributor founded in 1974, selling 1,300+ frame styles across 20+ sub-brands to independent eyecare professionals in the U.S. and 70+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Modern Optical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wholesale Optical Eyewear
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (42346), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL)
Keywords
Where Modern Optical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roselle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Modern Optical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wholesale Eyewear Distribution: Third-generation family-owned wholesale company selling value-oriented eyewear and related supplies to independent eyecare professionals. Products include frames across multiple brands and optical supplies. Operates on a B2B account basis requiring company accounts for ordering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B wholesale pricing for independent eyecare professionals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Modern Optical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Modern Optical is a third-generation family-owned wholesale eyewear company that supplies more than 1,300 eyeglass frame styles across 20+ proprietary sub-brands to independent eyecare professionals. The company distributes its portfolio through field sales representatives, a B2B ordering platform, and trade shows, with same-day shipping and a documented fulfillment rate above 98% to all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries. It also offers proprietary in-office tools such as the OCHO Vision virtual try-on system and EyeRep sales order management software.
Product overview
Modern Optical is a third-generation family-owned wholesale eyewear company founded in 1974, offering a portfolio of over 1,300 quality, fashionable eyewear styles across 20+ sub-brands to independent eyecare professionals. The portfolio includes affordable luxury collections (Modern Art, Genevieve Paris Design), value-driven brands (Modz, Modern Plastics I & II, Modern Metals, Modern Times), specialty-fit solutions (B.M.E.C. for larger men, GB+ for extended-size women, Fashiontabulous for petite women, Modz Kids, Modz Titanium, ModzFlex), and Optical Supplies (cases, cloths, tools, parts). The company also offers OCHO Vision, a proprietary virtual try-on technology platform. All products are designed for frame/lens packages, managed care, and price specials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- B.M.E.C. Extended-size collection for larger men featuring masculine styling, quality construction, and remarkable value. Sizes range from 53mm to 64mm with temples up to 160mm.
- fashiontabulous
- GB+
- genevieve boutique
- genevieve paris design
- giovani di venezia
- G.V.X.
- modern art
- modern metals
- Modern Plastics I
- Modern Plastics II
- modern times
- modz
- modzflex
- modz kids
- modz sunz
- modz titanium
- U Rock
- Optical Supplies
- close out
Products and services
- Wholesale Eyewear Frame Catalog
Quantifiable outcome
- Same-day shipping with over 98% fulfillment rate
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Modern Optical
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Modern Optical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Modern Optical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- OCHO VisioncoreOCHO Vision is Modern Optical's proprietary virtual try-on technology integrated into their service offering. The technology streamlines in-office workflow and modernizes the patient journey for independent eyecare professionals.
- EyeRepcoreEyeRep is the latest technology utilized by Modern Optical's sales team for order management and customer relationship purposes.
- National Optometric FoundationminorPhilanthropic partner supporting optical-related causes. Modern Optical supports this organization as part of their culture of giving.
- EyeCare 4 KidsminorPhilanthropic partner providing eyewear to children in need domestically and internationally (including EyeCare 4 Kids Africa).
- Lions Club InternationalminorPhilanthropic partner supporting vision-related causes globally through Lions Club International's global vision initiatives.
- Optometry Giving SightminorPhilanthropic partner supporting optometry causes and vision care accessibility worldwide.
- Eye See Eye LearnminorPhilanthropic partner supporting children's vision education and care programs.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
Modern Optical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marcolin Group: Italian eyewear company producing branded and licensed frames (Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, Guess); a direct wholesale competitor to Modern Optical selling frames through independent ECPs and optical retail chains globally.
- WestGroupe: Canadian family-owned eyewear distributor (FYSH, KLIIK, Superflex brands) selling wholesale to independent ECPs across North America and internationally; comparable in size, ownership profile, and independent-ECP go-to-market focus.
- ClearVision Optical Company: US-based family-owned wholesale eyewear distributor (since 1949) selling branded and private-label frames to independent ECPs; the closest US analog to Modern Optical in terms of size, family ownership, and value-tier positioning.
- Kenmark Eyewear: US wholesale eyewear company distributing branded and licensed frames (Kensie, Jones New York, Lucky Brand); directly comparable B2B frame wholesaler serving independent eyecare professionals across the United States.
- Safilo Group: Italian eyewear manufacturer and wholesale distributor of branded and licensed frames (Carrera, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade); directly competes with Modern Optical in the B2B frame wholesale channel serving independent and chain optical retailers worldwide.
- De Rigo S.p.A. Italian eyewear company producing licensed and proprietary frames (Police, Sting, Lozza); wholesale distributor serving independent optical retailers globally with a model closely paralleling Modern Optical's B2B channel.
- Marchon Eyewear: VSP-owned wholesale eyewear distributor of branded frames (Nike, Calvin Klein, Lacoste); serves independent ECPs and optical retail with a comparable B2B wholesale model to Modern Optical, including technology partnerships for ECP enablement.
Broad incumbents
- EssilorLuxottica: Global eyewear and lens giant combining Luxottica's frame manufacturing with Essilor's lens leadership; competes with Modern Optical at the wholesale frame level and through owned retail chains (LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut) that bypass independent ECPs.
Emerging players
- Warby Parker: Direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that designs and sells its own frames at accessible price points, bypassing the wholesale-ECP channel; represents the structural disruptor to Modern Optical's value-tier B2B model by capturing consumers who might otherwise purchase through independent ECPs.
- Revolution Eyewear: US-based eyewear company offering proprietary and licensed frames to independent optical retailers; smaller-scale direct competitor with overlap in value-tier and lifestyle frame categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Modern Optical social profiles
Digital presenceModern Optical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Modern Optical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Modern Optical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Modern Optical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Modern Optical
What does Modern Optical do?
Modern Optical is a third-generation family-owned wholesale eyewear company that supplies more than 1,300 eyeglass frame styles across 20+ proprietary sub-brands to independent eyecare professionals. The company distributes its portfolio through field sales representatives, a B2B ordering platform, and trade shows, with same-day shipping and a documented fulfillment rate above 98% to all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries. It also offers proprietary in-office tools such as the OCHO Vision virtual try-on system and EyeRep sales order management software.
Is Modern Optical a public or private company?
Modern Optical is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Modern Optical founded?
Modern Optical was founded in 1974. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Modern Optical based?
Modern Optical is headquartered in Roselle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Modern Optical make money?
One revenue line is on record: wholesale Eyewear Distribution.
Who are Modern Optical's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marcolin Group, WestGroupe, ClearVision Optical Company, Kenmark Eyewear, Safilo Group, De Rigo S.p.A. and Marchon Eyewear. EssilorLuxottica is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Warby Parker and Revolution Eyewear.
Does Modern Optical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Modern Optical.
What industry is Modern Optical in?
Modern Optical's product category is Wholesale Optical Eyewear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAD, Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment), with a secondary code of HLAKAKAL, Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses). Its NAICS code is 42346 and its SIC code is 3851.