Optic World Izmir – Optics, Eyewear, Ophthalmology and Technologies Fair, organized for the first time by İZFAŞ, attracted great interest from both domestic and international industry professionals during its first two days. While products, technological developments, and trends in the optical sector are being showcased at Optic World Izmir, awareness-raising events and panel discussions are also being held alongside the exhibition.

The first panel discussion of the fair was organized under the title “The Role of Young People in the Future of the Opticianry Profession.” Emphasizing that he found the fair highly successful in its inaugural year, Ergün Karaçanak, President of the Turkish Opticians and Optometrists Association, stated:
“I can see that this is becoming a very successful fair. Every contribution made to the sector is also a major contribution to the national economy. This fair will continue to grow and develop.”

The optical sector, which plays a vital role in both eye health and aesthetics, came together at the Optic World Izmir Fair, held for the first time. Hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, with the recommendation and leadership of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce 32nd Eyewear Professional Committee and contributions from the 3rd Regional Chamber of Opticians and Optometrists, the fair received strong interest from industry professionals during its first two days.

In addition to visitors from various cities across Türkiye, more than 100 industry professionals from many countries—including Bulgaria, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Algeria—visited the fair through the B2B program, held meetings, and signed cooperation agreements. At Optic World Izmir, a wide range of products and services are displayed, including optical and sunglasses frames, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, ophthalmic devices, eyewear accessories, equipment and tools for workshops and laboratories, machinery, and services, while panel discussions held within the scope of the fair continue to reflect the pulse of the industry.

At the panel titled “The Role of Young People in the Future of the Opticianry Profession,” speakers included Ergün Karaçanak, President of the Turkish Opticians and Optometrists Association; Kamil Nuri Gizer, Chairman of the Board of Gözkoop; Volkan Erkul, Optical Industry Education Consultant; and Furkan Özaltolmaz, Chairman of the Young Opticians Commission of the Bursa Chamber of Opticians and Optometrists.

Our Main Goal Is to Serve Public Health

Ergün Karaçanak emphasized the importance of holding such a fair in Izmir, a city with extensive experience in exhibition organization, and noted that every contribution to the sector also supports the national economy. He stated:
“Although the Law of the Turkish Opticians and Optometrists Association came into force in 2019, opticianry is one of the few professions in Türkiye with a dedicated professional law. As early as 1940, Law No. 3958 on Opticianry was enacted, demonstrating how important eyewear and opticianry were even back then. Although our work may appear commercial, our main objective is to serve public health.”

You Must Compete with Multinational Companies

Kamil Nuri Gizer, Chairman of the Board of Gözkoop, stated:
“Competition is important in this profession. I do not mean competition in a negative sense; competition means striving for excellence in what you do. In today’s world, you must compete with multinational companies. The Turkish market has become an area of interest for international capital. If you have a goal and truly want to pursue this profession, there are countless paths to reach it. Taking a wrong path does not mean giving up on your goal; it simply means finding a new route.”

You Young People Are Far Ahead and More Fortunate Than Us

Addressing young participants, Volkan Erkul, Optical Industry Education Consultant, said:
“In my opinion, the biggest gap in the sector is the lack of well-developed human resources. This makes self-improvement extremely important. The first step in development is self-diagnosis—understanding your strengths and weaknesses. The sector is rapidly and continuously evolving and diversifying. Today, we have a very wide product range. Choosing the right lens and the right eyewear is crucial. Our sector is far ahead in terms of product and brand diversity, technological developments, and R&D.
The next step for you will be raising public awareness about eyewear use. You need to help customers understand how the right glasses and lenses can provide additional benefits. Realize the value of the work you do. The greatest contribution you can make to this sector is using and expanding product and brand diversity effectively.”

Furkan Özaltolmaz, Chairman of the Young Opticians Commission of the Bursa Chamber of Opticians and Optometrists, also thanked those who contributed to the organization of the fair and emphasized that it offers significant opportunities for students receiving education in this field.

Raising Awareness Through Interactive Games

Awareness-raising games and exhibitions organized as part of the fair also attracted great interest from visitors. Through the Optidart game, visitors learned about prismatic effects that may occur during eyewear assembly by using glasses equipped with prism lenses that distort vision. With the Colored Numbers game, participants learned about color blindness and how red and green colors are distinguished.

The Blind Spot game aimed to raise awareness and empathy regarding macular degeneration, a condition that negatively affects quality of life by impairing central vision. Additionally, a specially designed Dark Room installation emphasized the importance of vision, light, and contrast. As part of the fair, the “Eyewear by Purpose Exhibition,” curated by Turgut Çakar, Expert Instructor at Acıbadem University, is also being held.

The fair is supported by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB), Izmir Chamber of Commerce (İZTO), Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO), Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB), Izmir Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (İESOB), Turkish Opticians and Optometrists Association (TOGB), and the 3rd Regional Izmir Chamber of Opticians and Optometrists (İOGO).