History

>Company>History

A Tradition of Lens Innovation

It all began more than 50 years ago with one man's vision to create a bifocal that wouldn't give away the wearer's age with its telltale lines. This desire led Irving Rips to develop the world's first "seamless bifocal", which was launched in 1955. Younger Optics - so named because the new lenses would make their wearer look younger - was born. Today, Younger is the world leader in Rx polarized sunwear with NuPolar® brand lenses, and continues to be an innovative force in the optical world.

Since winning the first OLA Award of Excellence ever given (1987) for its specialty lenses, Younger has won a total of 24 OLA Awards, including two at the most recent OLA in 2011. From a company started in a garage to a world-class organization, Younger Optics was a true realization of the American Dream for founder Irving Rips, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.

In addition to being the world leader in prescription polarized lens sales, Younger Optics is also a leader in specialty products, and are 3rd in the world in Transitions. Younger has become an international company with Sales and Distribution offices in Europe (Prague) and Australia, and new representation in Central and South America and in Canada.

Every year, the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) presents the highly respected OLA Award of Excellence to recognize high standards on achievement in the optical field. Younger Optics has won 24 OLA Awards of Excellence, including the first award ever presented in 1987. Younger, the world's largest privately owned optical lens company, is committed to making products which make your company successful.

1987
SPECIALTY LENSES - Best New Development Of Lenses

1992
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT - Irving Rips, Founder of Younger Optics

1996
BEST IN LENSES - NuPolar® Polarized Lens

1999
BEST IN ACCESSORY PRODUCTS - NuPolar® Glare Demonstrator

2001
BEST IN MARKETING - Clear Choices®
BEST IN MARKETING - Best Booth Exhibitor

2002
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS, Trilogy®
BEST IN LENS DESIGN, Image®
BEST IN MARKETING, Clear Choices®

2003
BEST IN LENS TREATMENTS- Trilogy® Transitions®

2004
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS - NuPolar® Polycarbonate
BEST IN ACCESSORY PRODUCTS - Desktop Glare Demonstrator

2006
BEST IN MARKETING - Art & Science Brochures

2007
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS - Drivewear Activated by Transitions
BEST IN MARKETING - The Art & Science of Drivewear Activated by Transitions Education Tour and Marketing Materials

2008
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS and TREATMENTS - Polycarbonate Drivewear® Activated by Transitions®
BEST IN LENS DESIGN - Image Wrap™ Decentered Design
BEST IN MARKETING - Drivewear® Activated by Transitions® Informational Videos

2009
BEST IN MARKETING - Drivewear Glare Wheel Demonstrator

2010
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS - NuPolar® Trilogy® - Visual Armor®
BEST IN MARKETING - NuPolar® Glare Wheel Demonstrator
BEST IN ACCESSORIES - Drivewear® Owner's Manual

2011
BEST IN LENS DESIGN - Adage®
BEST IN LENS MATERIALS - NuPolar® 1.67 High Index