MILAN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The chief executive of Italian eyewear maker Luxottica said 2008 was a tough year but he felt relaxed about the future.

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Luxottica, the world's biggest eyewear maker, said in July net income fell 16.5 percent in the first half of the year as a strong euro, a U.S. consumer slowdown and one-time charges weighed.

"2008 is a tough year. But I am very serene and relaxed looking at the future," Luxottica CEO Andrea Guerra said on the sidelines of a business event on Thursday.

"We are working and doing everything that we need to do. It is a year of great changes, we have made acquisitions with big investments."

Luxottica, whose brands include Ray-Ban and Prada and which last year bought U.S. sports brand Oakley, has forecast sales of 5.6 billion to 5.75 billion euros for this year and earnings of between 1.11 and 1.14 euros a share.

It reports third-quarter results on Oct. 28.

Shares were up 3.7 percent at 15.48 euros at 1311 GMT, while Milan's S&P Mib index was down 1.43 percent. (Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro; Editing by Erica Billingham)