Varilux^® varifocal lenses are manufactured by Essilor^®. Essilor^® is the world's largest lens manufacturer with subsidiaries in over 50 countries, and first appeared in London over a century ago with the Société des Lunetiers. Since 1976 they have been based in Thornbury near Bristol.

As well as creating the first successful varifocal lens, Essilor were the first company to make plastic lenses under the trademark Orma^®.

Recently, Essilor have also been involved in the design and production of variable tint lenses such as Transitions, the development of thinner and lighter lens materials and reflection free coatings.