REFILE-Luxottica optimistic on 2010, worst over-CEO

(Adds dropped word eyewear in first paragraph)

MILAN Oct 29 (Reuters) - Italian eyewear maker Luxottica (LUX.MI) is looking to next year with a degree of optimism after a tough 2009, the group's chief executive, Andrea Guerra, said on Thursday.

In 2010 the company aims to increase turnover and profit while reducing financial leverage, he added.

"2009 has been a challenging year but the worst is behind us. Today we are looking to the future with optimism," Guerra said, speaking at a shareholders' meeting.

He said 2010 should represent a return to normality.

"This for Luxottica means having a turnover that once more grows solidly, profits that improve more than proportionally (to sales) with strong cash generation," he said.

Guerra said the ratio between core earnings (EBITDA) and debt should be below 2.5 times.

Luxottica is scheduled to release third-quarter results later on Thursday.

(Reporting by Marie Louise Gumuchian)