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Vision Magazine

Mark S. Agnew

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Eyeglasses.com
Author • Inventor • Eyewear Industry Expert

Executive Summary

Mark S. Agnew is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eyeglasses.com, an author, and a patented inventor widely recognized as an expert in the eyewear and vision-care industry. With more than 25 years of direct, hands-on experience in eyewear retail, lens technology, optical accuracy, and consumer education, Agnew brings rare technical and operational depth to a highly regulated, health-adjacent industry.

He is the inventor of two foundational virtual try-on (VTO) eyewear patents that helped enable online eyewear visualization and fitting—technologies that later became industry standards. Both patents were acquired by EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company, providing independent validation of the technical significance and commercial value of his work.

Since founding Eyeglasses.com in 1999, Agnew has been directly involved in setting optical quality standards, overseeing prescription accuracy protocols, evaluating lens and frame technologies, and producing consumer-facing educational content designed to help customers make informed eyewear decisions.

Founder & CEO — Eyeglasses.com (1999–Present)

Tryiton Eyewear, LLC dba Eyeglasses.com
Norwalk, Connecticut
https://www.eyeglasses.com/

Mark Agnew founded Eyeglasses.com in 1999 and continues to lead the company as CEO. He is personally responsible for the company’s long-term strategy and is deeply involved in the technical and educational aspects of the business.

His direct areas of expertise and oversight include:

  • Optical accuracy standards and prescription verification
  • Lens materials, coatings, and performance trade-offs
  • Frame design, fit, and durability considerations
  • Virtual try-on technology and eyewear visualization
  • Consumer education regarding eyewear quality, pricing, and safety

Agnew is widely known for challenging misleading pricing, marketing, and quality practices in the eyewear industry and for advocating transparency, technical accuracy, and consumer trust.

Management profile:
https://www.eyeglasses.com/info/management

Inventor & Patents

Mark Agnew is the inventor of two U.S. patents related to virtual try-on and eyewear visualization technology. These inventions addressed early technical challenges in accurately representing eyewear fit and appearance online—problems that limited consumer confidence in purchasing prescription eyewear via e-commerce.

Both patents were later acquired by EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company, underscoring their foundational role in the evolution of online eyewear retail.

These patents contributed to the development of online eyewear visualization tools that are now standard across the industry.

Author

Mark Agnew is the author of a consumer-focused book on the eyewear industry, offering practical guidance rooted in decades of hands-on experience.
He is also the author of most of the articles on this website.

Amazon listing:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1732655723


Professional Experience (Prior to Eyeglasses.com)

Senior Vice President — Lehman Brothers

New York, NY (1997–1999)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lehman_Brothers

  • Director of Global Emerging Markets Corporate Credit Research & Strategy
  • Managed a team of 19 global analysts covering emerging-market corporate bonds
  • Produced institutional research, investment presentations, and client strategy briefings

Managing Director — Bear, Stearns & Co.

New York, NY (1993–1997)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Stearns

  • Founded and led the Latin American Corporate Credit Research Group
  • Covered 100+ companies across five countries
  • Ranked #1 Analyst by Latin Finance Magazine (1996–1997)
  • Ranked by Institutional Investor for four consecutive years

Research Analyst — Credit Research & Trading

Greenwich, CT (1990–1993)

  • Authored 50+ fundamental research reports across 37 companies
  • Covered industries including retail, restaurants, cable television, manufacturing, and steel

Earlier Finance Roles

Responsibilities included portfolio strategy, equity and debt investment structuring, institutional client development, and executive training.

Education

Why Trust Mark Agnew’s Eyewear Expertise?

  • Founder & CEO of Eyeglasses.com since 1999
  • Inventor of two core virtual try-on patents acquired by EssilorLuxottica
  • Author of a consumer guide to the eyewear industry
  • Featured by The New York Times, Forbes, USA Today, Oprah Winfrey Show, and Wharton Business School Radio
  • Personally involved in eyewear quality standards, lens evaluation, and prescription accuracy

Press & Media Coverage

Mark S. Agnew and Eyeglasses.com have been featured in major national media, business publications, fashion magazines, and academic and industry broadcasts over more than two decades. This coverage highlights innovation in eyewear, consumer advocacy, e-commerce leadership, and technology.

National & Major Media

Fashion, Lifestyle & Consumer Publications

Business, Academic & Industry Media

Regional & Trade Coverage

Professional Profile & Contact

Personal Interests

Outside of his professional work, Mark Agnew practices meditation and healing arts (Reiki Master), and enjoys gardening, hiking, and family time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mark S. Agnew is the founder and CEO of Eyeglasses.com, an author, and a patented inventor. He is widely recognized as an expert in the eyewear and vision-care industry, with more than 25 years of hands-on experience in eyewear retail, lens technology, optical accuracy, and consumer education.

Mark Agnew’s expertise is based on direct, verifiable experience. He founded Eyeglasses.com in 1999, personally oversees optical quality standards and prescription accuracy, and is the inventor of two virtual try-on eyewear patents that were later acquired by EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company.

Mark Agnew is the inventor of two U.S. patents related to virtual try-on and eyewear visualization technology:

  • US Patent 6,847,383
  • US Patent 6,583,792

These patents addressed early technical challenges in representing eyewear fit and appearance online and contributed to technologies now commonly used in online eyewear retail.

EssilorLuxottica is the world’s largest eyewear company, owning major lens brands, frame brands, and optical retail chains. Its acquisition of Mark Agnew’s patents provides independent validation of the technical significance and commercial value of his eyewear innovations.

As founder and CEO, Mark Agnew sets the strategic direction of Eyeglasses.com and is directly involved in lens evaluation, prescription verification standards, eyewear quality controls, and consumer education.

Yes. Mark Agnew and Eyeglasses.com have been featured by independent media outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, USA Today, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and Wharton Business School Radio.

Mark Agnew has worked in the eyewear industry since founding Eyeglasses.com in 1999, giving him more than 25 years of continuous, hands-on experience.