Essilor International reported an overall 25.4% sales gains to €1,659 million for Quarter 1, or 12.8% excluding the favourable currency effect. Lenses and Optical instruments matched the overall growth rate, posting a 25.3% increase versus last year.

North America, Essilor’s largest market, posted strong gains, up 39.2% or 21.3% without the effect of currency.

In comments to analysts, Essilor CEO Hubert Sagnières, indicated a significant increase in consumer media spending in Quarter 2 and increased new product launch activity, including EyeZen, a lens for relaxing the eyes when viewing digital devices that Essilor will release first in France.

Organizers of the 1^st World Congress of Optometry have announced that Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Companies is to be the event’s headline sponsor. The Congress, organized by the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Colombian Federation of Optometrists (FEDOPTO), takes place 14 – 16 August 2015 in Medellin, Colombia. It will be the first global event to encompass all aspects of optometry in order to share knowledge, explore clinical and technological innovation and establish an agreed holistic policy for the sector and for the future of accessible eye health care.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, is committed to transforming the world’s vision. This commitment is reflected in the work of its Vision Care Institute, which offers accessible, state-of-the-art education and training for eye healthcare professionals and makes a tangible contribution to raising standards within the eye healthcare sector.

Further information is available at www.worldcongressofoptometry.org

Ogi Eyewear has announced the appointment of John Nides as their new Vice President of Sales. John Nides has been working at Ogi Eyewear for 8 years, beginning his career with the company as the National Sales Manager for Scojo New York, Ogi Eyewear’s premium reading eyewear brand, in July of 2007. Nides has led the development of innovative sales and marketing strategies across multiple channels of distribution that have led to double digit growth.

As the Vice President of Sales, Nides will assume increased responsibility for leading a growing sales team for the entire Ogi Eyewear company under the guidance of CEO, Joseph Tallier. As a part of the aggressive growth plan, Ogi has recently launched two new brands, Red Rose and Bon Vivant, which are part of a new luxury segment of the company known as the North Division.

This month in the sunwear celebrity spotlight, during the Middle East Film & Comic Con Festival that took place in Dubai April, 9 to 11, many celebrities were caught wearing Marcolin.

Angelica Bridges wore Guess Eyewear (GU7385_45B style). The American actress, model and singer is the leader of the pop group “Strawberry Blonde” and achieved fame on TV series “Days of our Lives” and as “Taylor Walsh” on the internationally popular television series “Baywatch”.

Clive Standen sported Diesel Eyewear (DL0118_52V style). The English actor is best known for playing “Sir Gawain” in the series “Camelot”. Presently he’s starring as “Rollo”  in the popular History Channel series “Vikings”.

Gillian Anderson wore Guess Eyewear (GU6838_56F style). The American actress achieved international recognition for her role as FBI Special Agent “Dana Scully” on the sci-fi horror drama series “The X-Files”. Others spotted in Marcolin frames were Hayley Atwell in Guess Eyewear (GU7398_01B style), Kelly Hu in Diesel Eyewear (DL0118_52V style) and Sam Jones in Diesel Eyewear (DL0142_01N style).