WETZLAR, Germany—Leica Camera AG plans to launch a line of ophthalmic lenses. Beginning Oct. 1, the company, based here, announced that it will be adding ophthalmic lenses to its existing portfolio of cameras, lenses and sport optics products. The lenses will be developed in collaboration with Novacel and produced in France. The Leica Eyecare product portfolio will be distributed by Novacel and the lenses will be available from ophthalmic opticians.

“Leica’s optical expertise has stood for best pictures and visual experiences for more than 100 years. The Leica Eyecare ophthalmic lens portfolio is therefore a logical step forward in our strategic business development program,” said Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera AG.

Rudiger Duning, president and CEO of Novacel, added, “We are proud and very pleased about the alliance with Leica. Together, we intend to offer and constantly advance the state-of-the-art of a new and innovative range of premium ophthalmic lenses.”

The Leica Eyecare portfolio will be the first to offer ophthalmic lenses with strengths in 0.125 diopter steps, while maintaining tolerances of plus or minus 0.10 diopters, Leica said in a statement.

The ophthalmic lenses produced by the collaboration will feature AquaDura coating, a Leica development that has been in use for many years for the lenses of Leica binoculars.

Leica Eyecare ophthalmic lenses, from single vision and multifocal lenses to workstation and multifocal lenses, will initially be available from selected outlets in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. Distribution will be expanded to other European countries in 2018, Leica said.