1




                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our reports dated March 23, 2000
included in Cole National Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended January 29,
2000 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.




/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Cleveland, Ohio,
  January 18, 2001.