Dr. Pearle, Founder Pearle Vision, Leaves Legacy of Service

Dr. Stanley Pearle, 92, founder of Pearle Vision and the OneSight Research Foundation, passed away at his home on July, 21, 2011. He is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and an incredible community of associates, patients and customers who have been deeply touched by his life’s work. Watch this short video about Dr. Pearle’s inspiring life.

Perhaps best remembered by the iconic jingle, “Nobody cares for eyes more than Pearle,” Dr. Stanley Pearle built the foundation of his business around what he called a “culture of friendly service.” By combining quality eye care, friendly service and savvy marketing strategy, Pearle became a nationally recognized brand name and the first optical retailer in America to sell eyewear coast-to-coast.

Dr. Pearle founded Pearle Optical in 1961 with a single store in Savannah, Georgia. In 1981 Pearle began offering franchises, and in that same year he established the Pearle Vision Foundation – a non-profit now known as the OneSight Research Foundation – to support eye health research and optometrist training, scholarships and education. 

More than 40 years and 675 company and franchise stores later, Pearle Vision remains a trusted household name with locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Pearle Vision is wholly owned by Luxottica Group, the Milan-based NYSE-listed global leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear.

To date, the OneSight Research Foundation has awarded more than $7 million in grants to organizations committed to vision preservation and provided $140,000 in scholarships to students pursuing a degree in optometry through the Dr. Stanley Pearle Fund. Philanthropic efforts were close to Dr. Pearle’s heart and outside of the work he did for the OneSight Research Foundation, he devoted his time and leadership efforts to the United Way and Jewish Welfare Foundation.

Pittsburgh-native, Dr. Pearle graduated from Northern Illinois College of Optometry in 1939 and relocated to Dallas, Texas to take his board examinations and later marry his high school sweetheart, Elsie. He served in the U.S. Navy for a few years and after World War II worked for several eye care companies, rising to a management position with Lee Optical in Dallas. Eager to start his own business he left the company in 1961 to found his first store.

To honor his legacy, donations can be made to the OneSight Research Foundation which funds the Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship Fund. Please indicate your donation is in memory of Dr. Pearle in the “Tribute” area and your funds will be directed to the Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship Fund.

Upcoming Events

  1. June 11, 2012

    Par for Sight

    Mason, Ohio

    OneSight’s annual golf outing brings hundreds of vendors from across the country to golf at Cincinnati’s premier courses.
    Read More »