The Path to Veteran Vision Runs Through Louisville: Why Our City is the Eyewear Manufacturing Capital of Kentucky

By Sean Loosen, CEO of PDS Optical and U.S. Army Veteran

Beyond Logistics: A Hub of Advanced Medical Manufacturing

When most people think of Louisville, Kentucky, they picture the roar of the Kentucky Derby, the crack of a Louisville Slugger, the birthplace of bourbon, or the global logistics might of UPS Worldport.

But quietly, just off Bishop Lane, a different kind of industry is defining our city’s future, and it’s proudly serving the men and women who have defended our nation.

Louisville is not just a transit hub; it is a manufacturing powerhouse. At PDS Optical, we ship more than 1.8 million eyeglasses annually from our headquarters right here in the city. 

More importantly, we manage approximately 80 percent of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) prescription eyeglass market nationwide, a massive undertaking, most of which is fulfilled by our local Louisville workforce. That means the path to clear vision for America’s Veterans runs through Louisville.

A Workforce Built on Pride, Dignity, and Service

As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, our mission is a personal one. We provide high-skilled manufacturing jobs to nearly 220 Louisvillians, including military Veterans and military spouses. 

From our lab floor to our executive team, our workforce is deeply committed to ensuring that the Veterans who rely on the VA system receive their eyewear with the pride, dignity, and exceptional service they deserve.

This commitment has not gone unnoticed. 

We’ve worked closely with leaders in Congress, including Congressman Morgan McGarvey, who has engaged directly with our facility to understand the critical role our local workforce plays in supporting national Veteran health initiatives. 

During his visit in January, Congressman McGarvey unequivocally declared:

“In my book, this is a win-win-win company. They are Veteran-owned and operated, hire Veterans, and serve the military and Veteran community. It’s also one of the largest privately-owned optical labs in America, employing nearly 220 Louisvillians, shipping more than 1.8 million frames in 2025. The company has purchased new equipment, and is inventing new technologies — all serving to invest in and grow Louisville’s economy, making Louisville the eyewear manufacturing capital of Kentucky.”

What we build in Louisville has a profound impact across the entire country. Through our civic leadership, technological innovation, and talented workforce, we’ve put Louisville in the national spotlight. PDS Optical is showing the country how localized, mission-driven manufacturing can solve the eyewear and eye care challenges for America’s military-connected community. 

Homegrown Technological Innovation

What truly sets Louisville apart as an eyewear manufacturing capital is our homegrown innovation. We aren’t just assembling glasses; we are inventing the technology that builds them better and faster.

Take, for example, our Manufacturing Engineer, Ellis Cassity. A native Louisvillian and University of Louisville graduate, Ellis noticed a bottleneck in our automated production line. Instead of outsourcing a solution, he conceptualized, designed, and built the patent-pending “Perfect Drying System.” 

This custom device dynamically attaches to existing conveyor lines and uses a sophisticated combination of advanced sensors, robotics, and compressed air to automate the lens-drying and opacity verification process.

The results have been transformative, further positioning Louisville as a hub for advanced engineering manufacturing solutions. The system immediately signals technicians via a color-coded status light system if defects like scuffs or leftover tape residue are detected. It has significantly dropped lens breakage rates and enabled PDS Optical to reallocate 80 hours of manual labor per week (the equivalent of two full-time employees) to other vital areas of need.

Because of this groundbreaking invention, Ellis was recognized as a finalist for the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Manufacturing Employee of the Year. He and PDS Optical were also featured in Vision Monday, a trade publication read by leaders in the optical industry. 

Deep Civic Roots: From Thunder to the Homefront

Our commitment to Louisville extends far beyond the walls of our manufacturing plant. We believe in being a pillar of civic leadership, anchoring ourselves to the very fabric of the Louisville and Veteran community. 

Just as Thunder over Louisville sparks the spirit of our city every spring, PDS Optical strives to be a year-round engine of local pride and patriotism. During Thunder Over Louisville 2026, we hosted a “Living History” assembly for over 60 Veterans and military survivors on a private viewing rooftop, bringing together representatives from organizations including Lone Eagle Honor Flight, Team Red, White, & Blue (Team RWB), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS).

Our civic footprint is defined by our actions. We proudly support Honor Flight annually, ensuring our Commonwealth’s aging heroes are flown to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials built in their honor. 

We stand in lockstep with TAPS, providing critical funding and support to comfort the families of America’s fallen service members. 

Locally, we reinvest through annual Veteran holiday clothing and food drives, and partner with vital local nonprofits like VIPS Louisville to support the broader vision health of our community’s children. 

We maintain a strong physical retail footprint through Korrect Optical on Dutchmans Lane. Korrect Optical ensures that our cutting-edge, locally manufactured eyewear is accessible to all residents of our city, bringing our national expertise directly to our neighbors.

Furthermore, our strategic partnership with The Vision Council serves as a testament to our company’s growing influence on the national optical industry.

The Capital Claim

PDS Optical and Louisville, Ky. are a nexus for precision medical fabrication, optical excellence, and civic leadership. 

When you combine unparalleled production volume, a massive local workforce dedicated to Veterans, homegrown technological advancements, and an enduring commitment to community pillars like TAPS and Honor Flight, the conclusion is undeniable: PDS Optical’s accomplishments and contributions proudly make Louisville the the Eyewear Manufacturing Capital of Kentucky.