Essilor

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Essilor is a DIAMOND level sponsor of the American Optometric Association.

A Letter From Our Present

It is always my privilege to address you on behalf of Essilor, a proud supporter of the AOA and its membership. In 2010, optometrists and the eye care industry will have many opportunities to collaborate and collectively continue to move the industry forward in innovative ways. Many of you have undoubtedly seen information on exciting new initiatives to help grow the industry and your individual practices. These programs range from a consumer vision awareness campaign to an industry-wide e-commerce initiative that adds a new dimension of service to your patient relationships.

Essilor is a proud partner of the Think About Your Eyes® Coalition, in conjunction with Luxottica and VSP Global. Through this public awareness campaign, we are reaching patients where they seek information. Through this integrated social media and advertising program, we are educating your patients about the importance of eye health, focusing on topics ranging from eye disease to children's vision and school performance to visual fatigue. For more information on how you can be a part of this industry initiative, visit http://www.thinkaboutyoureyes.com/.

As you are well aware, online purchasing is growing, and it will likely grow from about 3 percent to 6 percent in the next year. Through several years of research, Essilor has learned that many ECPs realize that competing individually in online eyewear sales can be difficult; however, in the aggregate, with an industry partner who can invest in it, this can be and is a viable solution. We are extremely excited to offer MyOnlineOptical.com, a new advanced service from Essilor, allowing independent eye care professionals to offer e-commerce solutions to patients beyond the traditional brick and mortar. We are extremely pleased to work with the AOA on this important initiative, which paves the way for you to expand your business through the Internet marketplace. And Essilor will continue to seek your guidance and support as this initiative develops.

Finally, I am always personally excited to talk about the success of the Essilor Vision Foundation, whose mission is to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences starting with children and creating and supporting activities that advance good vision and its benefits. The Foundation has completed more than 15,570 vision screenings and 3,597 fittings with the support of its many non-profit and vision industry partners since launching in 2008. This Foundation relies completely on support from its donors to provide potentially life-changing screenings, eye exams and other vision resources to children who cannot afford them otherwise. To support the Foundation's charitable works, please visit http://essilorvisionfoundation.org.

In all areas, whether providing the most technologicallyadvanced lenses and lens treatments, like Varilux® and Crizal®,or creating new opportunities for you to capitalize on an emerging business channel, Essilor remains committed to empowering the eye care industry and making vision health paramount in the minds of your patients.

Let me thank you for your support of our people and our business.

Yours sincerely,

John Carrier
President, Essilor of America