Essilor : First Half 2009 Results(ase in net cash flow and a solid balance...),Health

Following approval by UK competition authorities, Essilor completed its acquisition of Wholesale Lens Corporation Limited, a Croydon-based wholesaler of ophthalmic lenses that generated revenue of GBP8.4 million in 2008. WLC will be consolidated as from August 2009.

As mentioned in the July 18, 2009 news release, Essilor will also consolidate five new companies in the second half: De Ceunynck in Belgium, Amico in the Middle East and Apex Optical, Vision Pointe Optical and OptiSource International in the United States.

Ongoing share buybacks

Since June 30, 2009, Essilor has pursued a share buyback program set up to offset potential dilution from the conversion of outstanding OCEANE bonds. On August 21, Essilor purchased 576,547 of its own shares on the open market for a total of EUR21.9 million. Since the beginning of the year, 1,256,245 shares have been purchased for a total of EUR42.1 million.

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A meeting with analysts will be held today, August 27, at 9:00 a.m. Paris time.

    The meeting will be available live and recorded for later listening at:
   http://hosting.3sens.com/Essilor/20090827-D516F570/en
    The presentation will be webcast at:
   http://www.essilor.com/results-presentations
    Regulatory Information:

The interim financial report is available at http://www.essilor.com, by clicking on:http://www.essilo
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