The countries of the Pacific Rim started out producing high-volume consumer product optics such as photo, video and mobile phone lenses, CD and DVD pick-up lenses, and optics used in projection & displays.  The manufacturers in this region have consequently developed many unique capabilities that are not necessarily found stateside.

Japan is one of the world’s leading producers of specialty optical glass and, of course, has a huge number of specialty optics manufacturers who produce lenses for cameras & consumer products.  Many of these manufacturers are not at al known in the US and do not generally sell outside Japan.   Singapore has a very strong night vision and infrared optics industry.  Korea is a leader in semiconductor materials which can be used for optics applications.  And Taiwan has an established reputation as a provider of optics to US catalog companies, as well aspheric lenses for high-volume consumer products.

India is definitely an up-and-coming manufacturer, primarily of optical sub-assemblies, whose capabilities will someday rival those of China.