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EyeBuyDirect, Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryOnline retail
Founded2005; 19 years ago (2005)
FounderRoy Hessel
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
U.S.
Key people
Sunny Jiang (CEO)
ParentEssilor (2013–present)
Websiteeyebuydirect.com

EyeBuyDirect, Inc. is an online retailer of prescription glasses, based in Austin, Texas.[1][2][3][4] The company also sells prescription and non-prescription sunglasses, sport sunglasses, and computer glasses designed to reduce glare.[5] EyeBuyDirect was founded in 2005 by Roy Hessel, who is chief executive officer.[6][7] The company has operations in the United States, China and Hong Kong, and sells its products worldwide.[6]

History

EyeBuyDirect was founded in 2005 by Roy Hessel, a former venture capitalist.[8][9] The company launched EyeBuyDirect.com in March 2006.[10]

In 2007, EyeBuyDirect added EyeTry, a "try-on" function, to its site.[8] The function allows users to upload photos and then superimpose EyeBuyDirect's glasses overtop their photos to "try on" the glasses.[8][10][11] The company later launched the "Wall of Frame", a social network that allows customers to share their created pictures and interact with other site users.[10][12]

In February 2010, EyeBuyDirect began incorporating facial recognition technology to its site to give users the ability to measure their pupillary distance using user-submitted photographs.[12][13]

In 2013, French lens manufacturer Essilor purchased a majority stake in EyeBuyDirect.[6][14] Essilor had previously purchased Framesdirect.com in 2010.[6][14] Hessel was retained as EyeBuyDirect CEO.[6]

EyeBuyDirect redesigned and relaunched its website in April 2014.[15]

EyeBuyDirect introduced EyeZen digital screen protection lenses from Essilor as an option to customers in 2016. The company still sells EBD Blue lenses.[16]

Operations

EyeBuyDirect is an online-only retailer and designs and custom-makes all its glasses in-house.[12][17] It does not carry brand name frames or lenses.[6][18] According to the company, 50 percent of its revenue came from repeat customers in 2013.[15]

Customers must have a valid prescription prior to purchasing prescription eyeglasses from EyeBuyDirect.[8] The company sells multiple types of lenses, including bifocal, progressive, and Transitions lenses.[5] Instances reported of it and other companies, including some owned by its parent company, selling glasses illegally without a valid prescription.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Patricia Marx (March 29, 2010). "FOUR EYES; On and Off the Avenue". New Yorker.
  2. ^ Charles Passy (July 2, 2009). "Home &Family -- Cranky Consumer: On the Lookout for Inexpensive Eyeglasses". The Wall Street Journal.
  3. ^ Thad Rueter. "EyeBuyDirect boosts sales 200% during the holiday season". Internet Retailer. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  4. ^ Ryan Wilk. "Glasses for Less Than $50". Kiplinger. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Alan Henry (July 13, 2014). "Five Best Online Glasses Stores". Lifehacker. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Essilor Acquires Majority Stake in EyeBuyDirect.com". Vision Monday. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  7. ^ "Seeing Opportunities on The Web". Fox Business. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Don Davis. "Web 2.0 feature answers the question, "How do I look in these glasses?"". Internet Retailer. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  9. ^ Kaihan Krippendorff. "You Can Ignore The Competition If You Offer Something Better". Fast Company. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Don Davis. "EyeBuyDirect.com boosts traffic with new social network". EyeBuyDirect.com boosts traffic with new social network. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  11. ^ Jennifer Fong (July 1, 2008). "Clicking for specs; Website for eyewear offers virtual try-ons". The Edmonton Journal.
  12. ^ a b c Thad Rueter. "EyeBuyDirect boosts sales 200% during the holiday season". Internet Retailer. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  13. ^ Natasha Singer. "Face Recognition Moves From Sci-Fi to Social Media". New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Flore Fauconnier. "Essilor rachète un site e-commerce de lunettes de vue". JDN. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Greg Holden (June 8, 2014). "Eyewear Seller Puts Ecommerce into Focus". Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  16. ^ "EyeBuyDirect introduces EyeZen Digital Screen Protection Glasses – OpticalOwl". opticalowl.com. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  17. ^ Paul Demery. "How EyeBuyDirect focuses on the merchandise customers really want". Internet Retailer. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  18. ^ Vanessa L. Facenda. "Attention Shoppers: Online Eyeglasses, a Viable Option". Vision Monday. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
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