From April 1 to 3, the Group showcased its complete solutions which embrace new lifestyles and vision needs at the optical industry’s largest annual trade show in Asia.

In response to the changing lifestyles and needs of consumers following the global pandemic, EssilorLuxottica puts a spotlight on its myopia and light management solutions at the recent Shanghai International Optics Fair (SIOF). From April 1 to 3, 2023, the Group took the opportunity to bring together its well-known brands including Essilor, Transitions, Ray-Ban and Oakley. This year, over 800 local and international companies showcased their optical products to approximately 70,000 visitors at the optical industry’s largest annual trade show in Asia.

Joint survey shows Chinese consumers becoming more au fait with myopia management
Myopia has been steadily increasing worldwide, and in particular in China. According to the National Health Commission in China, around 52.7 percent of children and adolescents in the country were found to be suffering from short-sightedness in a survey targeting 2.48 million students from 8,604 schools in 2020. This figure increased by 2.5 percent compared with 2019.

To deepen its understanding of the local market needs, EssilorLuxottica joined hands with DXY, a leading digital healthcare technology company in China, to conduct a survey on myopia and children with the aim of presenting the findings at the SIOF tradeshow. According to the survey, the awareness of myopia management among Chinese parents has increased, with evidence-based methods being part of their decision-making process. The survey also showed that the onset of myopia is starting at a younger age, resulting in an increase in demand for the application of complete solutions and joint prescriptions.

EssilorLuxottica is committed to focusing on myopia management by providing breakthrough solutions for children to help slow down myopia progression and prevent high myopia in the future. When detected early, myopia control solutions can help in slowing down its progression in children, reducing risks of sight-threatening eye diseases and ensuring a better quality of life. In 2020, the Group launched Stellest, featuring H.A.L.T (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology, a groundbreaking lens for myopia management in children whose safety and efficacy is being proven in ongoing clinical studies since 2018. The studies evaluate children wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) versus standard single-vision lenses. In addition to confirming that HAL lenses slow myopia, results from the clinical studies indicate no rebound of myopia when children switch from HAL lenses to single vision lenses ¹. The Stellest lenses slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, and axial growth by an average of 60%, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day ². The research results have been published in the prestigious medical journal, JAMA Ophthalmology. During SIOF, the Group also took the opportunity to launch its Stellest+ solution and upgraded the Stellest Guarantee Program 3.0 service to provide worry-free services for more children with myopia.

Light management outdoors: eye health remains an underestimated issue

In recent years, particularly with the pandemic, outdoor sports in China have thrived with Chinese consumers showing greater interest in hiking, camping, cycling and skiing. While outdoor sports can be enjoyable, they also expose the eyes to prolonged light exposure. Unprotected sun exposure can increase the risk of certain types of cataracts and cancers of the eyelids, and in some cases, vision loss. In China, 1 in 5 cataracts are caused by cumulative UV damage and over 3 million people lose their eyesight each year due to UV overexposure.

In view of the context in China, the spotlight was put on light management at SIOF with the Group showcasing a range of its products which effectively protect against blue-violet light rays as well as support sports performance. A catwalk show was organized featuring models wearing products from Ray-Ban, Transitions and Oakley - to present different styles in outdoor life. A key highlight was the Transitions lenses which constantly adapt to all light situations for better vision, comfort and protection.

Oakley presents its innovative PRIZM lenses

In sports, in addition to filtering blue light, lens technology can also empower one’s performance. As the Group's leading sport and performance brand, Oakley presented its innovative PRIZM lenses, based on a revolutionary lens technology which dramatically enhances detail to improve performance and provides ultra-precise color tuning, designed for specific environments.

^[1] Padmaja Sankaridurg, Rebecca Weng, Huy Tran, Daniel P. Spiegel, Bjorn Drobe, Thao Ha, Yen H Tran, Thomas Naduvilath, Spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets for slowing myopia: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial, American Journal of Ophthalmology (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2022.10.021

^[2] Compared to single vision lenses, when worn by children at least 12 hours per day every day. Bao, J., Huang, Y., Li, X., Yang, A., Zhou, F., Wu, J., Wang, C., Li, Y., Lim, E.W., Spiegel, D.P., Drobe, B., Chen, H., 2022. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 140(5), 472–478. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0401