ITALEE OPTICS IMPLEMENTS ESSILOR’S 360o DIGITAL SURFACING TECHNOLOGY IN CALIFORNIA LAB
Essilor completes first-ever transfer of this unique and proprietary technology
DALLAS – (April 11, 2008) – Today Essilor of America, Inc. announces the completion of the first-ever technology transfer of its patented 360° Digital Surfacingsm process at California-based Lab Italee. With access to Essilor’s 360° Digital Surfacing technology, Italee can now fully manufacture Varilux® lenses on its California campus, including Varilux Physio 360º®, Varilux Ellipse 360º™ and Varilux Comfort 360º™ in a wide range of materials, including the new Transitions VI line.

“Essilor is proud to share our industry leading, state-of-the-art 360° technology with Italee,” said Bob Colucci, president of Essilor’s Independent Distribution Division. “The Essilor technical team was involved during every step of the installation at Italee, ensuring total process integration, from lab management systems to lab process re-engineering.”

Italee’s new digital surfacing facility operates Essilor’s proprietary and patented equipment and process. A remote daily quality certification of the process has been set up with Essilor to ensure design compliance and guarantee consistency and the highest possible quality standard.

“Relying on advanced computer modeling to enhance the lens design, Essilor’s proprietary digital technology goes beyond the usual digital surfacing techniques,” said Rick Piper, marketing director for Essilor’s Independent Distribution Division. “Essilor’s 360° Digital Surfacing technology creates a unique back-side distance design that complements the front-side progressive design. This customization process delivers sharper vision, increased comfort and larger vision fields in each area of the lens for each individual patient.”