Phil’s grandfather Saundra started the Harris family’s legacy in Optics.  Based in Independence, MO, Dr. Harris was the Presidential eye/ear/nose/throat specialist while Harry Truman held office.  Some of President Truman’s eyewear is still on display at the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site in Independence MO, to this day.  

Phil’s folks went on to raise their kids in the optical world as well - Phil and his brother Bob worked alongside their parents, Lewis and Jo, at Harris Opticians.  Lew’s 30-plus years of experience helped him develop a revolutionary concept for the times - an optical shop based on the convenience of the customer. The open-air storefront was another innovation not typically seen in Kansas at the time.   Even more impressive, Harris Opticians featured a huge selection.

Most opticians at the time focused on cookie-cutter styles, while Harris Opticians recognized the potential in featuring the new and unusual specs that burst onto the market in the 1960s.  While it was the large selection of fashion-forward frames and inviting ambiance that drew people to Harris Opticians, it was the Harris family’s careful attention that kept their customers coming back.   Each pair of glasses was accompanied by a 20 point checklist that ensured flawless accuracy and impeccable fit, every time.  

Phil opened his own shop called Optical Illusion in Kansas City, Kansas in 1970.  His vision invited people in to evolve their personal style in a low-key, comfortable, contemporary atmosphere. Lew’s attention to detail and professionalism came with him, while Phil’s degree in Applied Art and out-of-the-box approach to design brought a breath of fresh air to the shopping experience.

Phil also chose to innovate with lens materials, moving from the traditional tempered glass to newly emerging technology in hard resin lenses. However, Phil’s rebellious spirit was best seen in his revolutionary take on frame styling - traditionally an Optician would choose a frame for someone based on face shape, leaving very little room for personal style. Phil found this approach archaic, and preferred to offer gentle guidance through his large selection rather than an authoritarian stance on frame styling.  

By 1972, Phil had decided to bring his vision for Optics to warmer climates.  He reopened Optical Illusion in La Jolla and began to make a name for himself in California. He was responsible for some of the finest optical shops in Southern California, helping to establish such names as Optical Fashion Exchange, Marshall Harris Opticians and EYESTRUCTURE before opening Eyes On Fifth in the Gaslamp district of San Diego in April of 2005.  

Phil is dedicated to curating an unparalleled collection of unique and hard-to-find eyewear in the laid-back, comfortable atmosphere he began cultivating in 1971. He combines old-school knowledge of traditional optics with the ever-changing world of optical technology.