TRANSITIONS OPTICAL SURVEY CONFIRMS THAT AWARENESS OF KEY HEALTHY SIGHT FACTORS REMAINS CRITICALLY LOW ACROSS THE WORLD

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1 For Immediate Release CONTACT: Susan English or Courtney Myers Euro RSCG Worldwide PR (412) or Mary O Hara Transitions Optical, Inc. (727) ext TRANSITIONS OPTICAL SURVEY CONFIRMS THAT AWARENESS OF KEY HEALTHY SIGHT FACTORS REMAINS CRITICALLY LOW ACROSS THE WORLD Second-annual Survey Uncovers Low Understanding of Factors Impacting Eye Health and Vision Performance, Plus Lack of Action Taken to Enhance and Preserve Vision MILAN, Italy, May 9, 2008 Demonstrating the continued need for education about healthy sight around the world, Transitions Optical, Inc. released the results today of its second-annual Global Healthy Sight Survey at the 2008 MIDO International Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology Exhibition. The comprehensive survey interviewed more than 12,000 individuals spanning six countries United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy and China. It monitored shifts in awareness related to eye health risk factors, such as UV, and explored awareness of the impact of systemic disease on eye health and vision performance. Importantly, the survey uncovered an insufficient amount of consumer awareness of and action toward enhancing and preserving healthy sight. While marginally improved over responses to the 2007 survey, consumers awareness levels remained extremely low related to UV and other risks to healthy sight, such as taking certain medications. Awareness was also low regarding the impact of particular systemic diseases, such as diabetes, on eye health and vision. Not surprisingly, this poor understanding Transitions Optical, Inc 9251 Belcher Road, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782, or , (fax)

2 Transitions Second Global Survey on Healthy Sight 2 of eye health risk factors correlated to low numbers of consumers seeking eye exams and wearing protective vision wear. It s not shocking that consumers who don t know what to do to take care of their vision, don t see the urgency in visiting their eye doctor or protecting their eyes the way they do their skin, said Bette Zaret, senior vice president, global marketing, Transitions Optical. What would be shocking is if a company like Transitions Optical would see these types of results and not take action. This is why we are dedicated to continued education in concert with eye care and medical professionals around the world on the need for healthy sight and the steps people can take to enhance the quality of their vision everyday and help protect their vision for the future. At the press conference held during MIDO, Zaret summarized the survey s key findings for the global media and announced that the company will integrate education about these key topics into its ongoing professional and consumer efforts through its Transitions Partners in Education program. Details of a new series of education tools focused specifically on awareness of the impact of diabetes on the eye were also unveiled at MIDO. Key results of the Global Survey presented by Zaret included: Understanding of Factors Impacting Vision Enhancement and Protection Although awareness levels crept up a few percentage points in most countries, the vast majority of people are still not aware that extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause eye problems. [Tables 1a and 1b] Most people are unaware that many medications in common use can affect their quality of vision and/or long-term eye health. [Table 2] Awareness of Systemic Disease Effects on Eye Health and Vision Performance Fewer than half of respondents were aware that high blood pressure can strongly affect eyesight. [Table 3] Less than 40 percent of respondents identified vision problems as a side effect of diabetes, and only 15 percent or less were aware that light sensitivity can be worsened by the disease. [Tables 4 and 5] Healthy Habits and Preventive Vision Wear In general, more than half of respondents report not having a regular eye exam. [Table 6] Between 25 and 45 percent do not report wearing protective eyewear, such as prescription or non-prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses. [Table 7]

3 Transitions Second Global Survey on Healthy Sight 3 Table 1a Awareness of harmful effects of extended sun exposure 2008 Spontaneous Awareness 1 Skin Problems Eye Problems United States 70% 13% France 83% 6% United Kingdom 72% 7% Italy 79% 4% Australia 80% 16% China 86% 18% Table 1b Awareness of eye problems as a harmful effect of extended exposure to the sun Spontaneous Awareness United States 9% 13% France 4% 6% United Kingdom 5% 7% Italy 9% 4% Australia 15% 16% Table 2 Understanding that medications such as oral contraceptives, antihistamines or antibiotics can affect your healthy sight United States 31% France 22% United Kingdom 19% Italy 30% Australia 18% China 50%

4 Transitions Second Global Survey on Healthy Sight 4 Table 3 Awareness that high blood pressure can strongly affect one s eyesight United States 27% France 26% United Kingdom 15% Italy 48% Australia 14% China 31% Table 4 Awareness of vision problems as a side effect of diabetes United States 39% France 38% United Kingdom 39% Italy 33% Australia 36% China 21% Table 5 Awareness that light sensitivity can be worsened by diabetes United States 14% France 10% United Kingdom 8% Italy 8% Australia 11% China 6%

5 Transitions Second Global Survey on Healthy Sight 5 Table 6 Report NOT having a regular eye exam (at least once a year) United States 51% France 65% United Kingdom 35% Italy 58% Australia 73% China 38% Table 7 Report NOT wearing prescription or non-prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses United States 42% France 28% United Kingdom 45% Italy 37% Australia 38% China 36% 1 Spontaneous response given without any assistance from the interviewer. 2 Prompted yes or no answer given in response to question or topic suggested by the interviewer. About Transitions Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, was the first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in As the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs and materials. Transitions Optical s core product line, Transitions lenses, are the #1- recommended photochromic lenses worldwide. As higher-performing everyday lenses, Transitions lenses change from clear indoors to sunglass dark outdoors in proportion to the intensity of UV light. Transitions Optical also offers several special-purpose lenses that change from a tinted state indoors to a darker state outdoors when activated by UV light. These lenses are marketed as Activated by Transitions.

6 Transitions Second Global Survey on Healthy Sight 6 Transitions Optical has manufacturing operations in Pinellas Park; Tuam, Ireland; Laguna, Philippines; Sumare, Brazil and Chonburi, Thailand. Sales offices are located in Cambridge, Canada and nine other countries. For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, the first to earn the American Optometric Association s Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) (United States) or (877) (Canada). # # #