The Dillon family has been creating innovative products in Scottsdale, Arizona, since 1977. Inspired by his father’s creative spirit, Steve Dillon began developing a radical new lens design in 1986. Despite limited resources and little knowledge of the eyewear industry, Steve dedicated his early years to perfecting the lens while balancing school and military service.

In 2008, after 22 years of relentless work, he launched his first line of sunglasses featuring the world’s first NIR matte lens, introduced with the bold tagline: “Unlike anything you've ever seen.” However, further advancing the technology wasn’t easy. Complex manufacturing requirements and reliance on a broad vendor network made scaling difficult, and these challenges intensified during the global supply chain disruptions beginning in 2020.

These obstacles marked a turning point, leading to the decision to bring all key manufacturing processes in-house. Steve and the team mastered advanced techniques such as vacuum deposition and hard coating, allowing them to fully realize the company’s vision. This shift led to the creation of a new polycarbonate sport lens available in multiple base curves, designed to serve a broader, performance-focused market.

In 2023, Dillon Optics welcomed a renowned luxury eyewear designer to the team. With a strong track record of creating iconic styles, his expertise has brought a fresh perspective to both frame and lens innovation.

Now, in 2025, Dillon Optics oversees every aspect of lens and frame design, production, and quality control, all from the family’s Scottsdale facility.

We can’t wait to show you what’s next.