The Walk With Raffa: Reimagining Vision - See More, Be More

A Journey Through Innovation and Vision at EssilorLuxottica

It’s a bright morning in Dubai, and the city is bathed in its signature desert light. I’m walking through an immersive showroom with Andrea Fornari, the Middle East and International Export leader for EssilorLuxottica. This company, one of the fastest-growing European firms, holds a dominant position in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. With a staggering $130 billion capitalization, EssilorLuxottica leads the global eyecare market, which exceeds $100 billion in value.

As we move through the showroom, a timeline etched on the wall highlights 170 years of innovation in eyewear and lenses. From the first plastic lens to today's AI-enabled smart glasses, the company has evolved into a powerhouse that sits at the intersection of med-tech, digital, luxury, and now hearing solutions. Its complex multi-channel distribution model includes wholesale, retail, licensing, online, and franchising. The retail arm was launched in 1995 with the acquisition of Lens Crafters and expanded in 2001 with Sunglass Hut. Licensing began in 1988 with Giorgio Armani, marking the start of a long legacy of brand partnerships.

"We don't just make eyewear," Andrea tells me. "We help people see the world better, so they feel and live better in it." The slogan "See More, Be More" encapsulates the purpose behind their products. The showroom showcases frames and an integrated ecosystem that connects health, wellbeing, design, and individual identity. "Our mission is to empower humanity," Andrea explains. "Not abstractly, but literally—helping people see more clearly so they can live more fully."

Good vision enhances learning, work performance, safety, and emotional connection. As the global population ages, the importance of clear vision becomes even more critical. Yet, over 2.2 billion people worldwide still suffer from uncorrected poor vision. "It's not just about correcting sight," Andrea says. "It's about unlocking life."

Andrea shares examples that shift the perspective from a traditional eyewear manufacturer to a player focused on longevity and health. One such example is the Stellest™ lenses, a groundbreaking innovation for childhood myopia. These lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 7% in children under 12. "We operate within a med-care space: preventive health," he explains. Preventing myopia is becoming increasingly important as more than half the world’s population is expected to be affected by 2050. Changes in lifestyle, including increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity, have accelerated this trend.

In July 2024, EssilorLuxottica acquired a majority stake in Heidelberg Engineering, a company specializing in advanced diagnostic imaging devices for eye care professionals. This acquisition marks a significant step in expanding into the med-tech space, focusing on diagnostic solutions and digital surgical technologies for ophthalmology.

We then stop at the new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses display. Trying them on, I'm immediately struck by how natural they feel. They are lightweight and familiar, yet they offer features like voice-activated translation and temperature checks. "These glasses aren’t gimmicks," Andrea says. "They let you be present and connected at the same time." The hands-free video, music, and Meta AI voice interaction represent a new balance between human and technology. "Innovation should feel natural, not forced," Andrea adds. "It should empower, not distract."

The launch in the UAE includes pop-up experiences in Dubai Mall and influencer-led storytelling campaigns. "This isn’t just a tech launch—it’s a cultural shift," Andrea emphasizes. It’s about redefining what eyewear means.

As we continue, Andrea explains the importance of lens education. "Most people think a lens is a lens," he says. "But quality matters for every single vision." Features like scratch resistance, UV protection, and blue light filtering are essential daily health decisions, especially in regions with intense sunlight and high screen exposure.

EssilorLuxottica’s global e-learning platform, Leonardo, offers thousands of courses and certification programs for eye care professionals. In the GCC, in-store digital kiosks allow customers to compare different lens types and learn about their benefits.

With 44 R&D facilities worldwide and over 13,000 patents, EssilorLuxottica controls every step of the process—from material to manufacturing to design to distribution. This vertical integration allows for faster innovation, tighter quality control, and a stronger response to local needs.

As our tour concludes, we visit the digital vision test area. An elegant space where eye scans meet mobile diagnostics. "This is where we're going," Andrea says. "Vision care that's proactive, intelligent, and part of how people live—not just something they fix when it breaks."

This includes more innovation in smart eyewear, hearing solutions, AI-assisted vision diagnostics, and outreach through the OneSight Foundation, which provides access to vision care in underserved communities.