One of the key gatherings of the optical sector, Optic World İzmir – the 3rd Optical, Eyewear, Ophthalmology and Technologies Expo, has opened its doors at Fuar İzmir. Speaking at the opening of the expo, which will run until March 29, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said, “Optic World İzmir is an ideal platform to enhance the design strength of our domestic brands and to showcase Türkiye’s development in the international competitive arena. I sincerely believe that this meeting will pave the way for new collaborations and strong commercial partnerships.”

Hosted by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ at Fuar İzmir in Gaziemir, Optic World İzmir Expo has opened. The opening ceremony of Optic World İzmir – the 3rd Optical, Eyewear, Ophthalmology and Technologies Expo, which will be open only to professional visitors, was hosted by Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and attended by İzmir Chamber of Commerce Assembly President Selami Özpoyraz, İzmir Chamber of Commerce Opticians Group Committee Chairman Ahmet Yutmaz, as well as representatives of chambers, unions, exchanges, non-governmental organizations, and the optical sector.

Tugay: I sincerely believe it will become an even better expo

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay stated, “This expo is steadily progressing toward becoming Türkiye’s showcase in the field of optics and ophthalmology. İzmir is known as a city of expos. As the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the İZFAŞ family, we strive to organize expos worthy of our city’s historical identity. We already have many successful expos. Many expos begin with good intentions and dedicated efforts, and then grow with the support of sector representatives and public administration. I sincerely believe that this expo will become a much better one in the future.”

“It will grow stronger every day”

Stating that at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment, Mayor Tugay said, “In our increasingly digital world, adults spend 6–7 hours a day in front of screens, while young people spend around 8 hours. This makes the optical sector not only a field of fashion but also one of the fundamental pillars of public health. We must be aware of this reality. It is predicted that by 2050, 50% of the world’s population will be myopic. The global optical market is expected to reach 330 billion dollars by 2034. While the rate of eyeglass use in Europe is around 60–70%, it is only about 30% in our country. This gap does not indicate better vision health in Türkiye, but rather a large population that has not yet been diagnosed and is awaiting services.”

Emphasizing that İzmir is striving to become a gateway for the optical sector to the world with its strong industrial infrastructure and well-established trade structure, Tugay said, “Fuar İzmir will host thousands of professionals from 47 cities and international buyers from 28 countries. This is a significant indication that our expo will grow stronger every day.”

“It will pave the way for strong partnerships”

Highlighting that the sector has evolved into an industry combining not only health but also fashion, technology, ergonomics, and lifestyle, Tugay said, “In the coming period, key opportunities include producing at least 40% of products with environmentally friendly materials by 2025, the integration of artificial intelligence and virtual try-on technologies, and the fact that 18.1% of health tourists coming to Türkiye prefer ophthalmology. Optic World İzmir is an ideal platform to enhance the design strength of our domestic brands and to showcase Türkiye’s development in international competition. I sincerely believe that this meeting will lead to new collaborations and strong commercial partnerships.”

Tugay tours the expo

Following the opening, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay visited participants and tried on glasses. Wishing the expo success, Tugay then toured İZFURNEX 2026 – İzmir Furniture Expo held in Hall B. Furniture sector representatives expressed their gratitude to Tugay for his support. Finally, Tugay visited IMATECH – the 4th İzmir Machinery and Metal Processing Technologies Expo in Hall A and received information about the machines.

To reveal 2026 summer season and 2027 fashion trends

At the expo, eyewear frames, sunglasses, sports glasses, protective glasses, optical lenses, contact lenses, and optometric and ophthalmological measurement, diagnosis, and treatment devices will be exhibited. Machinery and equipment for optical workshops and laboratories, optical industry machinery, spare parts, maintenance products, accessories, and cases are also among the product groups.

The event will highlight new technologies and production solutions aimed at improving vision quality, and it is expected to bring together large-scale companies shaping the sector and domestic manufacturers. Special frame exhibitions and thematic presentations prepared by participating companies will allow visitors to closely follow developments in the sector.

Eyewear, which stands out not only for correcting vision but also as a complementary element of personal style, is expected to emphasize design- and style-oriented approaches in new season collections. This year, sustainable materials, oversized and acetate frame designs, and nature-inspired pastel-colored lenses are among the prominent trends. The collections showcased at the expo are expected to reveal general trends for the 2026 summer season and 2027 fashion.

A broad visitor profile is expected

Panels and sessions to be held within the scope of the expo will bring together sector representatives, academics, and experts. Last year, the expo hosted a total of 4,426 professionals 4,228 domestic from 47 cities and 198 international from 28 countries. This year, it aims to reach an even broader participant and visitor profile.

As part of visitor outreach efforts, collaborations were established with international representatives to reach professionals from Europe, the Balkans, North Africa, and the Middle East. In this context, more than 200 qualified foreign buyers are expected to visit the expo, and the event is anticipated to host over 5,000 domestic and international visitors.

A wide range of professional visitors from manufacturers to distributors, retail chains to sector employees is expected to attend the expo.