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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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