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 revolutionary new lens design in 1986. Despite limited resources and little knowledge of the eyewear industry, he dedicated his early years to perfecting the lens while balancing school and military service.

In 2008, after 22 years of relentless effort, Steve 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.” Advancing the technology, however, proved challenging. Complex manufacturing requirements and dependence on a broad vendor network made scaling difficult. These challenges intensified during the global supply chain disruptions that began in 2020.

This period marked a turning point. The team made the decision to bring all key manufacturing processes in-house. By mastering advanced techniques such as vacuum deposition and hard coating, they were able 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 wider, 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 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.