CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France, September 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Essilor is pursuing its growth strategy in Eastern Europe's markets by acquiring a majority stake in Omega Optix. The company is a leading operator in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where its prescription laboratories generate total revenue of more than EUR10 million.

In addition to ensuring the long-term viability of a recognized market player, the acquisition will enable Essilor to offer local customers an alternative lineup of products and services, thereby driving fast growth in a rapidly developing market.

The current Omega Optix management team will remain in place and continue to operate the company independently.

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Essilor International is the world leader in ophthalmic optical products, offering a wide range of lenses under the flagship Varilux(R), Crizal(R), Essilor(R) and Definity(R) brands to correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Essilor operates worldwide through 15 production sites, 270 lens finishing laboratories and local distribution networks. The Essilor share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the CAC 40 index. Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR 0000121667; Reuters: ESSI.PA; Bloomberg: EF:FP

------------------------ Investor Relations and Financial Communications Veronique Gillet - Sebastien Leroy Phone: +33(0)1-49-77-42-16 http://www.essilor.com

Investor Relations and Financial Communications, Veronique Gillet - Sebastien Leroy, Phone: +33(0)1-49-77-42-16