“One thing remains constant George cares.” ~Dr. Geoffrey Co, President and CEO of George Optical
The homegrown eye-care brand celebrates its journey from a modest clinic to a modern vision-care institution with a special ₱66 anniversary offer
Sixty-six years after opening its first clinic in Binondo, George Optical is celebrating its 66th anniversary by giving Filipino customers a special offer that reflects the brand’s long-standing commitment to quality eye care and customer service.
Through the George Optical 66th Anniversary Treat, customers who purchase any frame priced at ₱6,990 and above can avail of a second selected designer frame for only ₱66. The anniversary promotion is available at George Optical branches nationwide until October 31, 2026.
The milestone marks 66 years of serving Filipino customers, from its beginnings as a single optical clinic to its growth into a broader eye-care institution. Throughout its journey, George Optical has remained guided by the values of quality, expertise, service, and genuine care.
At the heart of the brand’s continued evolution is a simple philosophy that has shaped its relationship with customers through the years: “George cares.”
Looking ahead: A modern approach to eye care
Today, George Optical continues to evolve beyond traditional prescription eyewear, expanding its services through advanced technology, specialized eye care, and more personalized patient experiences.
Leading this next chapter is Dr. Geoffrey Co, President and CEO of George Optical, who represents the second generation of the Co family to guide the company.
Leading this next chapter is Dr. Geoffrey Co, President and CEO of George Optical, who represents the second generation of the Co family to guide the company.
Dr. Geoffrey earned First Class Honours from City University in London in 1993 before undergoing specialized training at Moorfields Eye Hospital. His clinical experience included Contact Lens, Low Vision, Glaucoma, and Corneal clinics, as well as complex contact lens cases involving keratoconus, high myopia, post-corneal graft patients, aphakia, and prosthetics.
In 1996, he topped the Philippine Optometry Board Examinations and became licensed to practice optometry in both the United Kingdom and the Philippines. He has also shared his expertise as a resource speaker for optometry organizations and universities, particularly in the areas of primary eye care and contact lens fitting.
His contributions to optometry have earned national recognition. In 2012, the Professional Regulation Commission named him Most Outstanding Professional in Optometry. In 2023, he was also honored with the Distinction Award from the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations for his private and specialized practice.
For Dr. Geoffrey, however, carrying the Co family legacy is about more than professional achievements. It also means preserving the high standards of care established by the previous generation while continuing to adapt to the changing needs of patients.
Under his leadership, George Optical has strengthened its capabilities in primary eye care, specialized eye services, technology, and professional optometric practice, building on the foundation established by his father more than six decades ago.
Where it all began
The story of George Optical is rooted in the remarkable life and determination of its founder, Dr. George Co Sr.
Born Co Kian Kong in Fujian, China, on September 2, 1930, he came to the Philippines with his father when he was only seven years old. Seeking better opportunities, he worked while continuing his studies and took on various jobs, including selling cigarettes on the sidewalk, to help support himself.
Following World War II, he joined his uncle’s optical shop, initially working as an all-around houseboy. His responsibilities included cleaning, running errands, buying food, cooking, and doing laundry. It was also during this period that he learned an important skill that would eventually shape his career—grinding glass lenses and fitting them into spectacle frames.
Driven by a desire to build a better future, Dr. Co Sr. decided to pursue Optometry. His personal philosophy was simple but enduring: “To attain something of greater value, one must give up something of lesser value.”
His determination led him to graduate with honors in Optometry and place among the Top 10 in the Philippine Optometry Board Examinations.
On October 10, 1960, Dr. George Co Sr. and his wife, Mrs. Belen Co, opened the first George Optometric Clinic on Ongpin Street in Binondo, marking the beginning of what would eventually become George Optical.
The couple started with limited financial resources. They transported their belongings using a “kariton,” while the trust Dr. Co Sr. had built within the community helped make the capital needed to establish the clinic possible. He honored that trust by consistently paying his debts as the practice grew.
Patient by patient, the modest Binondo clinic gradually earned a reputation built on quality, service, and expertise principles that would become part of the enduring foundation of George Optical.
Six decades of seeing what comes next
George Optical continued to grow alongside the development of the Philippine optical and eye-care industry.
In 1975, Dr. George Co Sr. began producing hard contact lenses, a venture that eventually developed into what is now G&B Vision Care Inc. Five years later, in 1980, the company established its headquarters in Pasay. Meanwhile, George Optical continued to expand beyond traditional prescription eyewear, developing a more comprehensive approach to primary eye care and professional optical services.
Much has changed since the first George Optometric Clinic opened along Ongpin Street in Binondo. Advances in optical technology have transformed the industry, patient needs have evolved, and the scope of modern eye care has continued to grow.
Yet one principle has remained constant: caring for a person’s vision goes beyond simply providing eyeglasses or optical products. It requires professional expertise, responsibility, and the trust of every patient.
This philosophy has helped George Optical become part of the lives of generations of Filipino families. It continues to guide the company as it looks toward the future and explores new ways to serve the changing needs of its patients.
After 66 years, the brand remains guided by the principle established by its founder—that a good name is built through the trust you earn and the care you provide.
66 years later, George still cares—and always will.
About George Optical
Founded in 1960, George Optical is a Filipino eye-care brand dedicated to providing professional, personalized, and comprehensive vision care. From quality eyewear and contact lenses to primary eye-care services and specialized solutions, George Optical continues to evolve with the needs of Filipino patients while remaining grounded in its enduring commitment to quality, expertise, service, and care.
For more information, visit www.george.ph or follow George Optical on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @georgeph.official.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeph.official
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