About Us

The first Site for Sore Eyes Store opened in Berkeley, California in 1979. By 1985, the chain had grown to eight stores and began a successful franchising program. In 1993, the growing company was purchased by Emerging Vision, Inc., a publicly-traded company.

As of 2008, Site for Sore Eyes and its sister chain, Sterling Optical, had nearly 200 locations nationwide. Site for Sore Eyes has repeatedly been honored by Crain's Franchise Buyer and Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top franchise operators in the United States and by Vision Monday as one of the country’s top ten optical retailers.

Today, with Site for Sore Eyes remains the preeminent retail optical brand in Northern California, with nearly 40 retail locations. Founder Paul Licht still operates the original Berkeley store and, with several partners, is currently serving as Emerging Vision's Area Developer for the Site for Sore Eyes brand.

Site for Sore Eyes continues today, as it did when it first opened, to go beyond, aiming to provide the best quality eyewear, fast and courteous service, and extraordinary value to Northern California.