Eye Exams and Safe, Impact-Resistant Lenses Rank at the Top of 2010 Back-to-School Lists

DALLAS, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Eighty percent of everything a child learns in his first 12 years comes through his eyes and 25 percent of children have vision problems that could impact their learning. That's why author and healthy living expert Beth Aldrich is partnering with Essilor to encourage families to put eye exams and eco-friendly, impact-resistant Airwear lenses made of polycarbonate at the top of back-to-school lists.

"Educators and eyecare professionals all agree that good vision is a critical component of academic success," said Aldrich. "Just as kids get an annual back-to-school physical, they should also have annual eye exams setting them on the path to a healthy, safe and successful school year. If eye wear is needed, don't negate the importance of the actual lenses. Ensure they are made of polycarbonate material, as Airwear lenses are, which can make a significant difference in a child's performance in school and in their active lifestyles."

Aldrich, published as part of Chicken Soup for the Soul and Power Moms (Simon & Schuster 2009), is an influential blogger and offers the following recommendations when selecting lenses for your children's eyes:

• Many eye injuries are preventable. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that more than 100,000 people sustain eye injuries each year. Airwear® lenses are tough and durable -- so tough that NASA uses the same material to construct visors for astronauts. Airwear lenses from Essilor are 43 percent lighter and 25 percent thinner than regular lenses, and 12 times more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses.  Kids are active, so select lenses as active as they are.
• Twelve to 15 million people annually develop blindness from cataracts -- and about 20 percent of those cases may be caused or compounded by sun exposure. Airwear lenses provide 100 percent protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
• Consider the environment when selecting lenses. One hundred percent of the production waste from Airwear lenses is recycled, greatly reducing the environmental footprint put forth by the manufacturing process. Airwear lenses are the first Essilor lenses to go green.
• Essilor Junior lenses, which are made of Airwear material, are specifically designed for kids and resist scratches and smudges and are easy to clean.  

Lighter. Safer. Greener. Contest

Aldrich and Essilor's Airwear lenses are sponsoring an essay contest for consumers, encouraging parents and care-givers to share how they plan to help their kids have a healthy, safe and successful school year. Families can submit their thoughts by visiting LighterSaferGreener.com beginning today.  One grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000, while 10 first prize winners will receive vouchers for Airwear lenses valued up to $400. On LighterSaferGreener.com, visitors can learn more about Airwear's eco-friendly practices and view more of Aldrich's tips to ensure kids have a healthy, safe and successful school year.  

About Airwear

Airwear lenses provide a unique combination of benefits for active lifestyles through superior comfort and performance, including lightness, durability, impact- and scratch-resistance, and improved cosmetic appearance, while providing 100 percent UV protection. The lenses are available for single vision and progressive prescriptions, and are compatible with the world's most trusted vision brands such as Varilux®, Crizal®, Xperio®, DEFINITY® and Transitions®. For more information, visit http://www.airwear.com.

About Essilor USA

Essilor USA is the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States and is the market leader in progressive, high-index and anti-reflective coated lenses.  A pioneer in the development and production of ophthalmic lenses, Essilor employs more than 9,000 people throughout North America. Essilor manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Airwear®, Xperio®, DEFINITY®, Thin&Lite®, Transitions® and other Essilor brand names. Essilor Laboratories of America (ELOA) is the largest, and most trusted, optical lab network in the U.S. and offers a wide choice of services and lens brands, including Essilor premium lenses, to eye care professionals across the nation.  Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International, S.A., a publicly held company traded on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (Reuters: ESSI.PA).

SOURCE Essilor USA