160 years in service for better vision

Essilor roots are in the early years of optical manufacture. Company was established in 1849 in France as a family manufacture. Years later gets the name „Essel“. By joining together with Silor, other company with traditions for optical lenses in France, in 1971 Essilor International was established.

Today Essilor is world leader in the manufacture and distribution of dioptric lenses.

Since 2005 Essilor is part of the stock market index CAC40 in FRANCE

Most important dates in the history of Essilor are:

• 1849 - Creation of L’Association Fraternelle des Ouvriers Lunetiers
• 1959 - Invention of the first organic lens Orma. Invention of the first progressive lens Varilux
• 1972 - Establishment of Essilor after merge of french optic companies Essel and Silor
• 1991 - Photochromic lenses Transition
• 1992 - Invention of Crizal coating
• 1998 - Invention of polycarbonate lens Airwear
• 2005 - Enter in stock market index CAC40.
• 2008 - Invention of the personal progressive lens Varilux Physio