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Our story
A legacy of eyewear, since 1953
Every great legacy is born from a single, unyielding vision. Ours spans three generations, from a national glass-lens factory to a clinical institution in Hubli.
1953
The birth of Helson Corporation
For Eyesavers, the vision was cast in 1953 with the birth of Helson Corporation. Founded by the pioneering Himmat Malji Shah, it wasn’t merely a local enterprise. It was a national powerhouse in glass and lens manufacturing, and its launch was significant enough to be inaugurated by the then-Prime Minister of India.
For years the facilities hummed with precision, crafting and dispensing high-quality glass lenses to every corner of the country and shaping the way a newly independent nation saw the world.
The pivot
From adversity to retail
Progress is a relentless tide. The global market shifted rapidly from traditional glass to lightweight lenses, and the manufacturing arm struggled to adapt. The glass furnaces eventually cooled, and the company faced the heartbreaking reality of bankruptcy.
Yet true entrepreneurs are forged in adversity. Himmat Malji Shah made a bold, decisive pivot, turning the family’s deep optical expertise into retail. He opened multiple stores across Hubli and laid the foundation for a deeply personal, patient-first legacy.
Gen two
Hubli Optics Plus
The legacy was gracefully inherited and expanded by the second generation. Prakash Shah took the helm with renewed spirit and founded Hubli Optics Plus.
Under his steady leadership the family’s commitment to eye care stretched across Karnataka, bringing trusted, high-quality optical solutions to communities in Hubli and Davangere. The family name became synonymous with reliability.
2011
Eyesavers is founded
In 2011 the multi-generational journey reached a new pinnacle of clinical excellence when Kunal Shah stepped into leadership and founded Eyesavers.
Educated at the prestigious Elite School of Optometry (Sankara Nethralaya) in collaboration with BITS Pilani, Kunal brought medical rigour and academic excellence to the family business. As a founding member of the Optometry Society of India, his vision extended far beyond traditional retail: to raise the standard of clinical vision care in the region.
Today
A three-generation promise
Today Eyesavers stands as a testament to resilience, evolution and uncompromising quality. What began as a bustling glass factory in the 1950s has grown into a clinical institution of the highest calibre.
For nine consecutive years, Eyesavers has been honoured with the Best Clinical Experts Award by You & Eye International. It is no longer just a store: it is a three-generation promise to help the world see clearer, brighter and better.
Founder & CEO
Kunal Shah
- B.Optom, Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya (Chennai) with BITS Pilani
- MIACLE, Member of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators
- Founding member, Optometry Society of India
- Best Optometrist of the Year 2016, Dr. P P Santanam – Jayalakshmi Award, Elite School of Optometry
Recognition
Best Clinical Experts, nine years running
You & Eye Awards
Best Clinical Experts Award, You & Eye International
The new store
A new chapter in Deshpande Nagar