EssilorLuxottica launched multiple products under the theme of ‘Life Cycle Vision Health Management’ and displayed breakthrough solutions designed for people across all age groups.

From November 5 - 10, EssilorLuxottica, the global leader in the eyecare and eyewear industry, took part as a unified company for the first time in the fourth edition of the CIIE in Shanghai. CIIE is the world’s largest import-themed national-level exhibition and is a key platform for multinational companies, including thousands of business exhibitors from over 120 countries, to stage new products and services for China.

This year, in line with its Mission of helping people ‘see more, be more and live life to its fullest’, the Company launched two blockbuster products, MiSight and Diffusion Optics Technology, which prevent and control myopia for children and youth; as well as a new pair of Special Lenses, Essilor Exceptio, designed for people with ultra-high myopia or hyperopia. The Company also took the opportunity to share latest advancements in its instrument segment – both in terms of partnerships as well as product innovation, an example being the Essilor automatic refraction biometer.

Shaping the industry - from eye exams to fighting myopia

Following last year’s world premiere of Stellest lens, a new generation of spectacle lens solutions in the fight against myopia, EssilorLuxottica, signed an exclusive partnership with CooperVision’s MiSight contact lens in mainland China. MiSight is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved product clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness or short-sightedness) when initially prescribed for children 8-12 years old. MiSight also received priority approval by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and the lenses have now become the first indicated product of any type in China that may slow the progression of axial length.

The Company also launched Diffusion Optics Technology-enabled spectacle lenses, manufactured by SightGlass Vision in California, designed to correct refractive ametropia (myopia and/or astigmatism), which has proven to slow the progression of myopia in children. Based on a two-year clinical study conducted by CooperVision’s SightGlass Vision business, children who wore their DOT-enabled spectacles full time, including for near vision activities, progressed on average one-half diopter less than those wearing the control spectacles—a reduction of 59 percent.

These innovations only affirm EssilorLuxottica’s leadership in the fast-growing myopia management category and demonstrate that its commitment to lessening the impact of myopia in children is stronger than ever.

In terms of instruments, EssilorLuxottica launched ARK SW9000, the Essilor automatic refraction biometer for the first time, an all-in-one product combining capabilities in biological parameter measurement, curvature and refraction measurements.

In addition, to meet the needs of people with ultra-high refractive errors, the Company launched Essilor Exceptio lenses, a special range developed by the Group's Special Lenses Laboratory.

Key partnerships, part of building a vision health ecosystem

Attending the CIIE over the last three years has been helpful for the Company to raise public awareness on vision health, particularly childhood myopia, which constitutes a major public health problem of broad concern in China. A recent joint national study of more than a million children by the National Health Commission and Ministry of Education has shown that over half of Chinese children were myopic in 2018, reaching 80% by senior high school. EssilorLuxottica joined forces with representatives from both the central and local governments to promote the idea of ‘spending more time outdoors in order to stay away from myopia’. In addition, the Company announced its partnership with Zhejiang Medical Device Testing Institute to carry out standard research and testing for innovative medical devices.

Looking ahead: poised for growth in Chin

EssilorLuxottica's new chapter in China has only just begun. With the Company being firmly rooted in the market, EssilorLuxottica continues to be a long-term strategic player, which addresses the needs of Chinese consumers in eyecare and eyewear while helping them experience the life changing benefits of good vision.