Luxottica Group, S.p.A. (LUX)

EBITDA, PRO FORMA EBITDA AND NET DEBT TO PRO FORMA EBITDA RATIO

Net debt means the sum of bank overdrafts, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents. EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and amortization. Pro forma EBITDA reflects the consolidated EBITDA of the Company as adjusted to include the results of operations of Oakley, Inc., which was acquired by the Company on November 14, 2007, as if it had been acquired on January 1, 2007. The Company believes that pro forma EBITDA is useful to both management and investors in evaluating the Company’s operating performance compared to that of other companies in its industry. Our calculation of pro forma EBITDA allows us to compare our operating results with those of other companies without giving effect to financing, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital spending, which items may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to the overall operating performance of a company’s business. The net debt to pro forma EBITDA ratio allows management to assess the cost of existing debt since it affects the interest rates charged by the Company’s lenders.

Management also believes that the net debt to pro forma EBITDA is useful to investors because it allows investors to assess the impact of cash flows on the Company’s level of leverage. EBITDA, Pro forma EBITDA and the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). We include them in this press release in order to:

-       improve transparency for investors;

-       assist investors in their assessment of the Company’s operating performance and its ability to refinance its debt as it

-       assist investors in their assessment of the Company’s cost of debt;

-       ensure that these measures are fully understood in light of how the Company evaluates its operating results and

-       properly define the metrics used and confirm their calculation; and

-       share these measures with all investors at the same time.

EBITDA, Pro forma EBITDA and the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for items appearing on our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Rather, these non-GAAP measures should be used as a supplement to U.S. GAAP results to assist the reader in better understanding the operational performance of the Company. The Company cautions that these measures are not defined terms under U.S. GAAP and their definitions should be carefully reviewed and understood by investors. Investors should be aware that Luxottica Group’s method of calculating EBITDA and pro forma EBITDA and the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA may differ from methods used by other companies. The Company recognizes that the usefulness of EBITDA, pro forma EBITDA and the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA as evaluative tools may have certain limitations, including the following:

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not include interest expense. Because we have borrowed money in order to finance our operations, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits and cash flows. Therefore, any measure that excludes interest expense may have material limitations.

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not include depreciation and amortization expense. Because we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits. Therefore, any measure that excludes depreciation and expense may have material limitations.

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not include provision for income taxes. Because the payment of income taxes is a necessary element of our costs, any measure that excludes tax expense may have material limitations.

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not reflect cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments.

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs.

-  EBITDA and Pro forma EBITDA do not allow us to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss.

-       The ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA is net of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments, thereby reducing our debt position. Because we may not be able to use our cash to reduce our debt on a dollar-for-dollar basis, this measure may have material limitations.

We compensate for the foregoing limitations by using EBITDA, pro forma EBITDA and the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA as two of several comparative tools, together with U.S. GAAP measurements, to assist in the evaluation of our future operating performance and leverage.

See the tables on the following page for (1) a reconciliation of net debt as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 to longterm debt as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, (2) a reconciliation of EBITDA to income from operations for March 31, 2008 and pro forma EBITDA to income from operations for March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007, which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, and (3) the calculation of the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA.

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