Abstract: A symbol reader including an illumination system comprising a plurality of light sources on one side of an object carrying a symbol to be read and a CCD camera on the other side of the object. The light sources of the illumination system are disposed in a circle on at least one circumference around an optical axis of the system and each light source is inclined to the optical axis, having an emission axis converting toward the optical axis on the same side as the CCD camera. Applications include reading a symbol on a combination comprising two molding shells with an ophthalmic lens that they have just molded still between them.