Ryan Markey is the Chief Executive Officer of Optical Near Me, a multifaceted optical platform connecting consumers with independent opticians and optometrists while offering virtual try-on tools, a Vision Rx assistant, and business consulting for optical professionals.
A third-generation optical professional, Ryan's passion for the industry was instilled early — the grandson of Irv Greenberg and son of Benton Markey, both prominent figures in the optical laboratory space, Ryan was assembling lenses by the age of eight and spent summers working surfacing generators at his father's lab, Royal Optical, in the Dallas area.
He entered the professional optical world in 2003, joining a lens manufacturing and distribution company where he sold finished and semi-finished lenses to independent labs across five states. By 2010, his deep technical expertise earned him a role as Technical Product Manager at the world's second-largest lens manufacturer, where he balanced product development with cross-functional leadership. During his time in Rochester, he also served as a director overseeing retail, wholesale manufacturing, and key account sales — and explored the emerging wearable technology space, blending his lifelong interests in eyewear and technology.
In 2015, Ryan returned to Texas and co-founded My Friend's Lab, which evolved into Optical Near Me — a platform redefining how consumers discover and engage with local eye care providers.