ESSILOR GOES STRONGER, THINNER AND LIGHTER
INTRODUCTION OF NEW TRANSITIONS® V AIRWEAR® PRODUCTS

DALLAS -- (February 11, 2005) – Essilor of America announced its new Airwear® Transitions® V lenses with ESP™ (Enhanced Scientific Performance), available in February 2005. Eyecare Professionals will be able to offer an even broader range of products and the most advanced photochromic lenses with the new Airwear Transitions V lenses.

Available after February 1, 2005, these optimum performance lenses are compatible with Essilor’s award-winning Crizal® AlizéTM and will be offered in the following designs: Varilux® Panamic® Airwear Transitions V Gray, Varilux Comfort® Airwear Transitions V Gray, Semi-Finished Single Vision Aspheric Airwear Transitions V Gray and Ovation® Airwear Transitions V Gray.

“Essilor is pleased to offer stronger, thinner and lighter lenses that protect the eyes,” said Mike Daley, president of Essilor Lenses. “Airwear Transitions V lenses exemplify our continued efforts to design, manufacture and produce corrective lenses that meet the requirements of all of our Eyecare Professionals and their patients.”

Airwear Transitions V lenses with ESP are the first choice for lightweight lens material with the most advanced photochromic technology. Providing a superior lens for vision wearers of all ages, adding Crizal Alizé to Airwear Transition V products accelerates fade back from dark to clear, providing more comfort, convenience and protection than ever.

Power ranges for each product are: Varilux Comfort Airwear Transitions V Gray, +6.00 to -10.00 up to a -4.00 cylinder; Varilux Panamic Airwear Transitions V Gray, +6.00 to -10.00 up to a -4.00 cylinder; SFSV AS Airwear Transitions V Gray, +8.00 to -10.00 up to a -4.00 cylinder; Ovation Airwear Transitions V Gray, +6.00 to -10.00 up to a -4.00 cylinder.

In January, Essilor announced the launch of Transitions V in Thin & Lite® 1.67 high index material. These premium performance lenses, which are all compatible with the award-winning Crizal Alizé, are available in the following designs: SFSV Aspheric Thin & Lite 1.67 Transitions V Gray, Ovation Thin & Lite 1.67 Transitions V Gray, and Varilux Panamic Thin & Lite 1.67 Transitions V Gray.

###

AirWear®, Crizal® , Panamic®, Varilux Comfort®, and Varilux® are registered trademarks of Essilor International, S.A.
AlizéTM is a trademark of Essilor International, S.A.
Thin & Lite® and Ovation® are registered trademarks of Essilor of America, Inc.
Transitions® is a registered trademark and ESP is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc.