UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                                                Commission File Number: 1-14128
                                                                       ---------

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):
     [ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 11-K [X] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR

For Period Ended:                  September 30, 2003
                  --------------------------------------------------------------

 [     ] Transition Report on Form 10-K   [    ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
 [     ] Transition Report on Form 20-F   [    ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
 [     ] Transition Report on Form 11-K

For the Transition Period Ended:
                                ------------------------------------------------

     Read Instruction (on back of page) Before  Preparing Form.  Please Print or
Type.

     Nothing in this form shall be  construed to imply that the  Commission  has
verified any information contained herein.

     If the  notification  relates  to a portion of the  filing  checked  above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:





                         Part I. Registrant Information

Full name of registrant:        Emerging Vision, Inc.
                         -------------------------------------------------------

Former name if applicable:      Sterling Vision, Inc.
                          ------------------------------------------------------


Address of principal executive office (Street and number):

                         100 Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard
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City, State and Zip Code:      Garden City, New York  11530
                         -------------------------------------------------------


                        Part II. Rule 12b-25 (b) and (c)

     If the  subject  report  could not be filed  without  reasonable  effort or
expense  and  the  registrant  seeks  relief  pursuant  to Rule  12b-25(b),  the
following should be completed. (Check appropriate box.)

[X]  (a) The reasons  described  in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

[X]  (b) The subject annual report,  semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-K,  20-F,  11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or
before the 15th calendar day following the  prescribed  due date; or the subject
quarterly  report or transition  report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be
filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

[ ]  (c) The accountant's  statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.



                               Part III. Narrative

     State below in  reasonable  detail the reasons why Form 10-K,  20-F,  11-K,
10-Q,  N-SAR or the transition  report portion thereof could not be filed within
the prescribed time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)


     Due to  unanticipated  delays  in the  collection  of  certain  information
necessary for a complete filing,  the Registrant is unable to file its Form 10-Q
for the period  ended  September  30,  2003  within the  prescribed  time period
without unreasonable effort and expense.


                           Part IV. Other Information

     (1) Name and  telephone  number  of  person  to  contact  in regard to this
notification

  Christopher G. Payan                 (516)                     390-2134
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         (Name)                     (Area code)          (Telephone number)


     (2) Have all other periodic  reports  required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940  during the  preceding  12 months or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?  If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                [ X ] Yes  [   ] No

     (3) Is it anticipated that any significant  change in results of operations
from the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

                                [   ] Yes  [ X ] No

     If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated  change,  both  narratively
and  quantitatively,  and, if  appropriate,  state the reasons why a  reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.

                              Emerging Vision, Inc.
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                  (Name of registrant as specified in charter)

     has caused this  notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  November 14, 2003                       By:  /s/  Christopher G. Payan
     --------------------                          -----------------------------
                                           Name:    Christopher G. Payan
                                           Title:   Senior Vice President,
                                                    Chief Financial Officer and
                                                    Co-Chief Operating Officer