Essilux buys ophthalmic clinics operator Optegra

EssilorLuxottica has signed an agreement with private equity firm MidEuropa to buy Optegra, which operates over 70 ophthalmic hospitals and diagnostic centres in the UK, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

Under the Optegra, Lexum and Iris brands, the Optegra group has developed AI-supported eye correction treatments and procedures used in pre- and post-operative phases, including eye-saving cataract surgery, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma therapies, refractive lens replacement, and laser surgery.

EssilorLuxottica, controlled by the Del Vecchio family, said that Optegra’s acquisition marks a significant step forward in the group’s med-tech strategy, helping EssilorLuxottica to expand an offering that goes well beyond frames and lenses to include cutting-edge AI technologies, wearables, medical devices, and science-based vision care solutions.

“With the acquisition of Optegra, we are stepping into a new dimension – one where comprehensive eyecare, advanced diagnostics, therapeutic interventions and surgical treatments come together in one seamless platform,” said Essilux CEO Francesco Milleri and his deputy, Paul du Saillant.

“Optegra and its experienced doctors will bring new medical capabilities to our group, enabling us to address patients’ needs with the most advanced vision care technologies and treatments in one trusted system that will anchor our med-tech aspirations. We have the strategic assets to fuel this vision: an extensive distribution network with new clinical approaches, a smart eyewear offering with healthcare potential, and diagnostic capabilities that will be able to detect conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to cardiovascular dysfunction,” concluded Milleri and du Saillant.