Eye Care International Announces Agreement with Protective Marketing Enterprises, Inc.

Business Editors

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2003

Eye Care International, Inc. (ECI) (OTCBB:EYCI) announced today the signing of an agreement with Protective Marketing Enterprise, Inc. (PME), a non-insurance subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation. The agreement provides, among other things, that the M.D. portion of ECI's Vision Network will serve as a supplemental enhancement to PME's discount vision and service programs.

"We are particularly excited to enter into this relationship with PME since it is not only consistent with PME's mission of providing the highest quality of services to it's members, but it also raises the quality of vision care to a new standard of excellence - one which we hope will soon be made available to all consumers of health care products," said Clark A. Marcus, ECI's President and CEO.

Protective Life Corporation is a diverse financial services company founded in 1907 with a mission of assuring its customers quality products and providers. It has a strong commitment to the premise that "Doing the Right Thing is Smart Business," with a focus on customer service.

ECI owns and operates the nations largest discount Vision Network, with over 14,000 provider locations nationwide. It is the only discount vision plan providing the services of ophthalmologists (eye M.D.'s) who discount all of their services. ECI's services to PME's members include all cosmetic surgical procedures, such as LASIK vision correction and Co2 Laser Skin Resurfacing, at discounts ranging from 20% to 60% off usual and customary fees.

Information about ECI's Vision Plan can be obtained by visiting www.eyecareintl.com.

Information about PME can be obtained by visiting www.protectivelife.com.