News Release: Breakthrough Photochromic Innovation Will Expand Access To Transitions® Light Intelligent Technology(TM) To Contact Lens Wearers

Breakthrough Photochromic Innovation Will Expand Access
To Transitions^® Light Intelligent Technology^(TM)
To Contact Lens Wearers

PDF Version of the news release

(Charenton-le-Pont, France, 11 April 2018) - Transitions Optical has partnered with Johnson & Johnson Vision to make the leading light-adaptive photochromic technology available in a contact lens for the first time. Acuvue Oasys^® with Transitions^® Light Intelligent Technology^(TM) expands the photochromic category beyond ophthalmic lenses, broadening access to the life-enhancing benefits of light management.

A range of everyday lighting situations, from artificial light to UV rays, can negatively impact eye comfort, vision and health. Acuvue Oasys^® with Transitions^® Light Intelligent Technology^(TM) is a first of its kind contact lens, providing wearers with vision correction and a dynamic photochromic filter that helps to continuously balance the amount of light entering the eye. This contact lens quickly adjusts from clear to dark in response to changing sunlight conditions; reducing exposure to bright light indoors and outdoors, including filtering blue light and blocking UV rays.

"After twenty-eight years of innovation by Transitions Optical to bring the benefits of light management to all eyeglass wearers, resulting in the successful development of the photochromic category, we are proud to announce a new breakthrough solution that will address the unmet needs of contact lens wearers" said Laurent Vacherot, President and Chief Operating Officer of Essilor. "Successfully achieving our mission to bring good vision to each person on the planet requires this kind of game-changing innovation. The clearance by the FDA is the first step in ensuring that a larger number of people needing vision correction can enjoy the protection and comfort of Transitions^® Light Intelligent Technology^(TM), including the world's growing myopic population."

The strategic partnership between Transitions Optical and Johnson & Johnson Vision combines the respective strengths of each company. Transitions Optical is the leading provider of photochromic (smart adaptive) lenses worldwide, while Acuvue^® is the world leader in contact lenses.

Acuvue Oasys^® with Transitions^® Light Intelligent Technology^(TM) has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is indicated for the attenuation of bright light. The two-week reusable, spherical contact lens will be commercially available in first half of 2019 from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

About Essilor
Essilor International (Compagnie Générale d'Optique) ("Essilor") is the world's leading ophthalmic optics company. Essilor designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight. Its mission is to improve lives by improving sight. To support this mission, Essilor allocates more than €200 million to research and innovation every year, in a commitment to continuously bring new, more effective products to market. Its flagship brands are Varilux^®, Crizal^®, Transitions^®, Eyezen^TM, Xperio^®, Foster Grant^®, Bolon^TM and Costa^®. It also develops and markets equipment, instruments and services for eyecare professionals.
Essilor reported consolidated revenue of around €7.5 billion in 2017 and employs approximately 67,000 people worldwide. It markets its products in more than 100 countries and has 34 plants, 481 prescription laboratories and edging facilities, as well as 4 research and development centers around the world. For more information, please visit www.essilor.com.
The Essilor share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 indices. 
Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR0000121667; Reuters: ESSI.PA; Bloomberg: EI:FP.

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