According to The American Encyclopedia and Dictionary of
    Ophthalmology, 1917, by Casey Wood, MD:

    "Lenses are manufactured in some quanity in the United States
    since 1883.  Previous to that time most of the lenses used were
    imported..."

    I know that lens manufacture in France was well established by the
    mid 1700s, and I believe in places like Germany and Italy as well.
    I have checked several resources, including Richard Corson's
    book, Fashions in Eyeglasses, From the 14th Century to the
    Present Day, Peter Owen, 1980, but have found little on the
    specific subject of where lenses were manufactured.

    At the end of this month, a new book will be published on the
    subject of spectacles:  Spectacles and Other Vision Aides: A
    History and Guide to Collecting, by J. William Rosenthal, MD.
    This book will be available through Norman Publishing, San
    Francisco, and will most likley be the best book available on
    the subject to date.

    John Handley
    Museum of Ophthalmology
    San Francisco