Ageless Vision: Varilux redefines the future of vision
As part of this year's EssilorLuxottica Days in Milan, the focus was on a top-class panel discussion under the motto "Ageless Vision - Redefining the future with state-of-the-art technology". The event was hosted by Varilux, the world's leading brand for progressive lenses*. The aim of the discussion was to shed light on the future of ophthalmic optics in the context of social and technological changes.
Prominent voices, forward-looking perspectives
The discussion was moderated by Heather Feldman (Head of Content and Storytelling, Creative Hub). The panel included US TV presenter and beauty expert Bobbie Thomas, Sébastien Fricker (Vision and Perception Modeling Team Manager EssilorLuxottica), Agnès Dewidehem (Global Head of Marketing Lens Brands EssilorLuxottica) and Nina Esteves (Trends and Foresight Manager EssilorLuxottica).
Presbyopia as a global challenge - and opportunity
Over 2.1 billion people worldwide already live with presbyopia - this figure is expected to rise to around 4 billion by 20501,2. This development not only represents a major challenge, but also opens up new opportunities for individualized ophthalmic optics.
Technology meets lifestyle
The way we deal with health is changing fundamentally. Today, 65 % of 30 to 55-year-olds who wear glasses already use wearables3 - a clear signal of the desire for personalized and forward-looking care. The need for meaningful eye health is also growing: 73 % of Generation X spectacle wearers want groups that share their values and interests4.
Varilux: masterminds for the next generation of progressive lenses
With Varilux XR series, EssilorLuxottica has developed a progressive lens that combines AI, big data and individualization in a unique way. Over one million pieces of data from lens orders, real wearing tests and user behavior form the basis for the development of a "digital twin". This behavioral model predicts how presbyopic eyes look at objects, enabling lens design that adapts to individual visual behavior in an eye-reactive way5.
The result: Natural vision in every situation
Varilux XR series ensures immediate sharpness - even in motion6. This makes it the first spectacle lens of its kind to take into account natural gaze behavior and make everyday life much easier for people with varifocal vision.
Great potential for opticians
Despite the increasing number of people affected, the market for progressive lenses is far from exhausted: only around 40 % of people in Germany over 45 with a need for vision correction currently use progressive lenses7. There is enormous potential here for opticians to reach new target groups and retain existing customers with innovative solutions.
Varilux is actively shaping the future of ophthalmic optics - intelligently, individually and with a deep understanding of the needs of an ageing but active society.
References:
[*] Euromonitor, Eyewear 2023 edition; Essilor International company; global retail sales at RSP.[1] Essilor SAS 2019, Market Scope, Global Presbyopia-Correcting Surgery Market Report, April 2012.
[2] United Nations, internal analysis.
[3] EL Cross-Gen Tracker Wave 2, 2025.
[4] EL Cross-Gen Tracker Wave 2, 2025.
[5] Essilor: Development of eye-oriented progressive lenses based on visual acuity and visual behavior.
[6] Essilor International - Varilux® XR series™ glass - Consumer study, Eurosyn, 2022.
[7] Estimated on the basis of the Allensbach Eyewear Study 2024/25: Change in the visual behavior of Germans.
Source: www.essilorluxottica.com
