* Sales reach 1.03 bln eur, in line with analyst estimates
* Keeps goal of 6-8 pct sales growth, margins at high levels
(Adds detail from statement)
PARIS, April 19 (Reuters) - Essilor International posted a 13.4 percent rise in first-quarter sales on Tuesday and confirmed its financial goals for the year thanks to growth in emerging markets and a healthy recovery in developed markets.
The world's biggest maker of corrective eye lenses confirmed its target for full-year sales growth of 6 to 8 percent, excluding the effects from currency fluctuations against the euro and strategic acquisitions.
It also stuck to its goal for margins to remain at current levels, excluding strategic acquisitions. Essilor's operating margin was 18.2 percent last year.
First-quarter sales reached 1.028 billion euros ($1.46 billion), in line with the average estimate in a Reuters poll of analysts of 1.03 billion. Sales grew 4.5 percent on a like-for-like basis.
Growth was chiefly driven by the Asia-Pacific region and China in particular, where Essilor said its progressive lenses and anti-fatigue lenses were attracting strong demand. ($1=.7039 Euro) (Reporting by Caroline Jacobs; Editing by James Regan)