ESSILOR TO AWARD THREE $20,000 GRANTS TO DESERVING COLLEGES OF OPTOMETRY
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ANNOUNCED AT AOA CONGRESS

AOA CONGRESS, NEW ORLEANS - (June 26, 2002) – Essilor of America, Inc. (EOA) announced today it will begin accepting applications for the Essilor Optical Technology Grants – three $20,000 one-time grants to be awarded to colleges of optometry that exhibit their commitment to growing the industry through new advancements. Essilor introduced the grant program at the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) meeting in conjunction with the American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress. Winners of the grants will be announced in December.

“Essilor is as committed to training and education as we are to the development of innovative products,” said Hubert Sagnières, president of Essilor of America. “We are in full support of these schools and colleges as they train our industry’s future optometrists.”

Applications for the grants are being distributed at this week’s ASCO meeting and may also be retrieved by writing to dventura@essilorusa.com. Entry requirements include a description in 1,000 words or less why the school needs and deserves the grant. Applications will be judged on the school’s commitment to the growth of premium optical technology as well as how the money will help the school elevate the standards and visibility of ophthalmic dispensing for students.

Applications must be received by November 1, 2002 to Essilor Lenses, 2400 118th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. The panel of judges includes Essilor executives and independent optometrists.

Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International, S.A., a publicly held company traded on the Bourse (Symbol: ESI).

Essilor is the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States and founding partner of VisionWeb(SM), www.visionweb.com, which is creating the world's largest eyecare network. An industry pioneer in the development and production of ophthalmic lenses, Essilor is the market leader in progressive, high-index and anti-reflective coated lenses. The company manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Airwear® and Essilor brand names.

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Varilux®, Airwear® and Crizal® are registered trademarks of Essilor International, S.A.
VisionWeb(SM) is a service mark of VisionWeb, Inc.