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 attracting some 12,000 buyers from 101 countries and regions. The three-day event, held under the theme "Bright Eyes • New Horizons," highlighted how artificial intelligence and the silver economy are reshaping the optical industry and reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global trading hub.
Buyers from outside Hong Kong came primarily from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the United States, and ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the fair's organisers. The turnout underscores the event's role as a premier platform connecting the global optical industry and facilitating cross-border trade and collaboration.
Smilely Lam, HKTDC Acting Executive Director, said the rapid advancement of AI and growing demand driven by the silver economy are creating new growth opportunities for the optical industry. She noted that the fair responded to market trends by showcasing innovative products integrating smart technologies, health management and fashion design, while helping exhibitors connect with buyers worldwide and expand into international markets.
Smart eyewear emerged as a key theme, with exhibitors displaying AI-powered functions such as real-time translation, voice interaction, health monitoring and navigation. David Chen, Founder and CEO of Shenzhen Muedo Technology Co., Ltd., said his company, a Tier-1 supplier of smart glasses for Lenovo, was showcasing two new products, including smart glasses with a 13-megapixel camera and smart glasses with a built-in display. He noted that the products attracted enquiries from buyers from India, Japan and the United States, and that the company expects the fair to generate around US$1 million in sales. To address privacy concerns, the smart glasses include a physical camera cover that users must slide open before taking photos.
The silver economy also featured prominently, with exhibitors presenting eye-care products, functional lenses and vision-assistance devices for mature consumers and seniors. Hong Kong exhibitor Rayke Intelligent Technology Limited unveiled new senior hearing glasses and children's smart glasses. Lisa Chen, General Manager, said the company received enquiries from more than 30 distributors, retailers and brand owners from markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Italy, the UK and Vietnam, and expects the fair to generate approximately US$100,000 in sales.
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. Kevin Ching, Founder and Creative Director of BIG HORN, said the brand met more than 10 potential buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Egypt, Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines and expects orders worth around HK$1 million.
International buyers also cited the fair's value for sourcing. Frian Lin, Director of Malaysian distributor Skyline Optical Trading, said the company's annual procurement value through the fair is around US$1 million and that it identified two potential OEM suppliers from the Chinese Mainland offering titanium and TR90 plastic frames. Egyptian optical wholesaler and retailer Kayan Optics, which has sourced products at the fair for three consecutive years, placed an additional order worth US$15,000 for Nyx Vision lenses and sourced more than 7,000 optical lenses from another supplier in the Chinese Mainland, with a total order value of approximately US$14,000, according to CEO Ahmed Mansy.
The HKTDC and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association also co-organised the 26th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition under the theme "Mix & Match." Cheng Wai-ho won the Open Group champion with "Audio Reactive Chroma," featuring a built-in spectral colour sensor that synchronises frame colour with the wearer's outfit. Lee Sum-yau won the Student Group with "Paris Fantasy," while Lo Hoi-pui received the inaugural Student Group Technology Concept Award for "Adal-EYE," a design allowing seamless switching between eyewear and jewellery. The competition results are available in a detailed PDF.
The fair will continue under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, with the Click2Match online smart business-matching platform available until November 13. The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through international exhibitions, conferences and business missions, and provides market insights through research reports and digital news channels. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
