[bc]SOLA International Commences Launch of New Progressive Lens -AO PRO®Easy[/bc]
SAN DIEGO, CA June 11, 2003 – SOLA International Inc. (NYSE: SOL) today announced it has commenced the launch of a new progressive lens, AO PRO Easy, under the American Optical brand. AO PRO Easy is a general-purpose progressive lens that incorporates newer design techniques and technologies used in other American Optical progressives such as AO Compact™ and AO b’Active™. These techniques and technologies have provided AO PRO Easy with an optimized corridor length and improved peripheral performance while maintaining proven reliability and ease of wear. The result is a lens which offers dispensers, labs and patients a progressive lens with enhanced utility, comfort and ease of dispensing and processing.

Jeremy C. Bishop, president and chief executive officer of SOLA, stated, “With its full-width visual field and near perfect binocularity, AO PRO Easy offers wearers an exceptional balance of comfort and utility. The optical benefits include a wider distance and reading area and less astigmatism than existing progressive lenses. Wearer trials have shown that this design allows easy fitting and easy adaptation, with over 98% patient adaptation of lenses dispensed to date.”

“AO PRO Easy was developed to meet the visual needs of the widest number of patients and fit into the broadest number of frames,” commented Mark Ashcroft, President America’s and Vice President Europe for SOLA. “In addition, the lens is available in four different materials –polycarbonate, CR-39, Next Generation Transitions® and Finalite 1.6® high index plastic. We are confident that the superior performance offered by AO PRO Easy combined with its availability in a broad range of materials will make this an excellent choice for eye care professionals and customers alike.”