Eye Care Centers of America

Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. (ECCA) was one of the largest optical retail chains in the United States, operating more than 375 stores in 32 states and the District of Columbia under 11 brand names including EyeMasters, Visionworks, Vision World, Doctor's VisionWorks, Hour Eyes, and Stein Optical. Founded in 1984 in San Antonio, Texas by an investment group headed by Robert Schumacher, the company grew through aggressive acquisitions throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Sears purchased ECCA in 1987 for $52.5 million, then sold it in 1993 to Desai Capital Management. Thomas H. Lee Company acquired a 90% stake in 1998 for $325 million. In 2006, Highmark Inc.'s HVHC subsidiary purchased ECCA and its 384 stores. The company was later rebranded as Visionworks of America.