Essilor sponsors Special Olympics 2013

The company confirms that it will be among the sponsors by putting Essilor employees' considerable expertise at the service of the athletes Again this year Essilor is supporting the Special Olympics through Opening Eyes: free eyesight screening for all athletes with disabilities taking part in the Games. The Special Olympics Lions Club Opening Eyes (SOLCIOE) tests carried out by optometrists and ophthalmologists in the optometry program assess the athletes' vision acuity and are part of a health program that aims to improve the quality of life. Essilor takes charge of the prescriptions issued during eyesight screenings and provides the athletes with the most suitable corrective lenses.   Special Olympics was set up in 2001 as an international program of training and sports competitions for youths and adults with disabilities and nowadays 180 countries participate in the program. The Italian appointment took place this year from May 18 through 23 at Villasimius, Sardinia, in the delightful Tanka Village, which was transformed from a tourist to an Olympic village for the occasion. Over the five days of competitions, 250 athletes were examined and 143 pairs of Essilor corrective lenses were donated and mounted in Safilo frames, 50 of which were sports goggles.   Helping out were 27 optometrists from all over Italy, 15 students from various Italian schools, and 2 ophthalmologists. Present for Essilor Italia were General Manager Marco Caccini and Cristina Montalbetti, lens agent and a veteran of the event. The company was presented with a plaque and a certificate of participation.   "Opening Eyes is a very important appointment for Essilor because it is through the initiative that the company makes a social commitment by offering its professionalism to all Special Olympics athletes" Marco Caccini stated. "We are honored to contribute and to do it with enthusiasm in Italy and in the other countries in which Essilor is present". "Special Olympics is an event that combines professional, human and social aspects and brings a variety of unforgettable experiences", stated Marco Barajon, SOLCIOE Italia Onlus optometrist and event president.