Lens-online's independent lens business is sold to Seiko Optical

Lens-online, founded by Neil Appleton, a former officer with the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians and managing director of Sola Optical, has sold its independent spectacle lens business to Seiko Optical UK.

The deal was confirmed in a letter from Appleton to customers. The letter says that most of the products provided by Lens-online will be replaced by the Pentax range of lenses.

'Pentax is a leading lens supplier whose brand is synonymous with innovation, technology, quality and investment,' said the letter and that Pentax lenses had built up a strong awareness in the profession and among consumers.

In recent months Pentax lenses have formed a strong element of promotion within the Specsavers group.

John Conway, general manager of Seiko UK, said Seiko had bought the customer list from Lens-online and was offering lens services to those customers, some of whom had switched to Pentax products.

Conway said: 'We supply lenses to the Specsavers group but we also work with independents.' He said most of Lens-online's products could be replaced by Pentax products and that he wanted to continue the service provided by Lens-online.