GENERAL OPTICAL COMPANY TESTS ITS INDIVIDUAL IQ
-Zeiss Certified Vision Expert wins Vision Expo East/Gradal® Individual booth promotion-

CHESTER, Va., May 10, 2004 – Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc., today announces Ronald and Leslie Arslanian of General Optical Company, Cambridge, Mass., are the winners of the "Test your Individual IQ" promotion held during the recent Vision Expo East tradeshow. As the winners, the Arslanians received a pair of Zeiss Diafun 8x30 binoculars.

"Test your Individual IQ" cards were distributed through Vision Monday's Show Daily. Participants were asked to fill out a card with short answers to questions about Zeiss Gradal Individual and Short i progressive lenses. The cards were collected at the Zeiss booth and the winner was chosen through a random drawing at the show's close.

The outstanding brilliance, razor-sharp contrast and excellent color fidelity of Zeiss Diafun binoculars guarantees crystal-clear images with astounding details; even if the surrounding light is fading. In addition, the smooth surface and elegant contours of the Zeiss Diafun make it visually appealing.

General Optical Company is located in Cambridge, Mass. In 1978, Ronald Arslanian, BA, MBA, RDO, and his wife, Leslie Arslanian, BS, RDO, ABOC, purchased General Optical Company from its original owners. For almost thirty years, General Optical Company has provided its patients with complete eye exams, premium eyeglass lenses, contact lens fittings, laser vision correction and ocular disease management. The optical shop has been a part of the Zeiss Certified Vision Expert program for almost 5 years.

The Expert Vision System is a quality assurance certification program designed to simply communicate the superior value of products by Carl Zeiss. It is a closed loop process based on maintaining the highest quality standards from Zeiss to the Zeiss partner lab, to the Zeiss Certified Vision Expert practice and ultimately to the patient.

Zeiss Certified Vision Experts are enrolled in the Expert Dividends Reward Program. The program allows Experts to earn Dividend Rewards for dispensing any lens from the Zeiss Gradal® family. Experts can then redeem their Dividend Rewards for official Zeiss merchandise, Humphrey/Carl Zeiss Meditec instruments, Zeiss Low Vision devices from Vision Advantage Inc., equipment from partner labs, Zeiss binoculars, co-op advertising and American Express Gift Cheques.