ZEISS to give away iPod minis during Vision Expo East booth promotion

CHESTER, Va., February 22, 2005 – Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc., today announces it will give away Apple iPod minis during its promotion, “Eyes on the Prize - - Take the Advantage Challenge,” at the Zeiss booth #3622 during the weekend of International Vision Expo in New York (March 11 – March 13). During the “Eyes on the Prize - - Take the Advantage Challenge” promotion, participants will learn more about the company’s new coating product, Carat Advantage, by experiencing the product’s benefits through a series of hands-on activities and hi-tech demonstrations. Participants will then take a short quiz and be eligible to win a new Apple iPod mini.

Carat Advantage is comprised of anti-reflective Super ET® coating, Foundation® hard coating and topped with the company’s new advanced super-hydrophobic coating. When combined, the components provide excellent scratch resistance, superior anti-reflective (AR) performance, and enhanced durability for the lens. In addition, the new super hydrophobic layer of coating repels dirt and water and resists smudges, is smooth to the touch and cleans effortlessly.

The popular Apple iPod minis are the world’s smallest portable music players. iPod minis are encased in an ultra-portable, lightweight anodized aluminum body and hold up to 1,000 CD-quality songs. They are smaller than most cell phones and weigh only 3.6 ounces.