We present a review of some Lebanese contributions to the field of optics and photonics: from the Ksara Observatory set up in the early twentieth century to the countless inventions and patents of Hassan Kamel al-Sabbah, the Oriental Edison, and up to the contemporary research performed in the fields of classical optics, modern optics, photonics, emerging fields and all related applications. We light the Lebanese way in this research area by highlighting the progress and emphasising the strengths and challenges through facts and figures.