The Financial Post reports in its Thursday, July 10, edition that Meta has acquired just under a 3-per-cent interesst in EssilorLuxottica SA, the world's largest eye wear manufacturer, for approximately $3.5-billion (U.S.). A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that this move reinforces Meta's commitment to the smart glasses industry. The company is also considering increasing its interest to about 5 per cent in the future, though those plans may change. Essilorluxottica shares surged in Paris, reflecting growing ties with Meta, which analysts at Bernstein view as a vote of confidence in the eye wear maker. They noted it signifies Meta's ongoing commitment to the smart-glasses category. The two companies have worked together for several years to develop artificial intelligence powered smart glasses. Meta currently sells a pair of Ray-ban glasses, first debuted in 2021, with built-in cameras and an AI assistant that provide image-captioning or real-time stock prices. Last month, Meta launched separate Oakley-branded glasses with Essilorluxottica. Essilorluxottica chief Francesco Milleri said last year that Meta was interested in taking an interest Essilorluxottica, but that plan had not materialized until now.