Blog - OptikNow

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Altris AI and Captify Win 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge at Vision Expo

Vision Expo, produced by RX and The Vision Council in collaboration with VSP Vision™, has announced the winners of the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, revealed live on March 13 at the show’s Innovation Stage in Orlando.

Following a four-week startup bootcamp and live pitches from four high-growth companies, Altris AI was named the Judge’s Winner. The company was recognized for its clinical impact, technological sophistication, and potential to transform the eyecare experience.

2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge winners

Captify received the Audience Choice Award, based on votes from Vision Expo attendees. The company was recognized for the strong response its smart eyewear solution generated among eyecare professionals on the show floor.

According to organizers, this year’s finalists reflected a broad range of technologies reshaping vision care, from AI-driven diagnostics and exam automation to digital education and accessibility-focused smart solutions.

Altris AI offers a clinical-grade SaaS platform designed to act as a “second set of eyes” for eyecare specialists. The company says its platform can identify more than 70 retinal biomarkers from OCT scans, helping providers match patients to appropriate treatments, devices, and clinical trials.

Captify, meanwhile, has developed prescription-ready, AI-enabled smart eyewear that provides real-time captioning for patients with hearing loss. The company positions the technology as a tool that can help independent optometrists offer accessibility-focused solutions that improve communication and quality of life.

The two other finalists were Alchemy Vision, a subscription-based digital training platform for eyecare teams, and EyeCareX, an AI platform founded by an optometrist that aims to automate and standardize core components of the optometric exam.

In addition to pitching live, finalists also exhibited in Vision Expo’s new Innovation Center, a dedicated space for emerging technologies featuring more than 20 startups working in areas including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and advanced diagnostics.

The selected early-stage startups may also have the opportunity to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s THINC Ventures.

Vision Expo said more information about the 2027 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge and the application link will be released later this fall. Vision Expo 2027 is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from March 10 to 13, 2027.

Source: Vision Expo

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March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Optometry Giving Sight Names Karen Walsh to Board of Directors

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh to its Board of Directors.

Walsh serves as Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision. According to the organization, her appointment further strengthens OGS’s mission to expand access to eye care in underserved communities around the world.

“We are thrilled that Karen is joining the team,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, OGS Board President. He highlighted her deep-rooted commitment to advancing global eye health, as well as her extensive experience in clinical education. He also noted that, through OGS’s long-standing partnership with CooperVision, the organization has seen firsthand her dedication to eye care and her potential to make a meaningful contribution to this mission.

In her role at CooperVision, Karen Walsh leads the company’s Global Professional Affairs organization and works closely with international teams to support eye care professionals through education and collaboration.

Prior to joining CooperVision in 2021, she built a distinguished career in education, research, and scientific publishing at the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo.

“Joining the board of Optometry Giving Sight is a natural extension of my work to support eye care professionals and expand access to care,” said Walsh. She also praised OGS’s approach, which focuses on building sustainable infrastructure and training local personnel to help ensure lasting access to vision care.

Walsh joins a Board of Directors that includes Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, Dr. Susan Cooper, Dr. Luigi Bilotto, Dr. John Flanagan, Dr. Millicent Knight, Dr. Paul Karpecki, Tony Sommer, and Dr. Meng Xu.

Click HERE for the press release.

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March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

NOW Awards Winners Announced at Vision Expo 2026

The winners of the NOW Awards by Vision Expo were announced during a ceremony held Thursday, March 12 at the NOW Stage during Vision Expo 2026, taking place March 11–14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The awards celebrate forward-thinking eyewear design and the creative talent shaping the global optical industry.

Designers and brands from around the world submitted their most visionary eyewear frames and accessories, with finalists selected for their artistry, innovative design, exceptional functionality, and their role in pushing the eyewear industry forward. All submissions, including finalists, were featured in a dedicated NOW showcase at the entrance of Vision Expo throughout the event.

Submissions were reviewed by an influential panel of leaders spanning design, retail, fashion, and eyecare before being narrowed to finalists and winners across seven categories announced during the ceremony.

The winners and finalists spanned multiple categories from the following brands:

Best Optical Style – Independent:

Silhouette Atelier – WINNER
Bruno Chaussignand
Forall
MOREL
Nina Mûr

Best Optical Style – Licensed:

RACHEL Rachel Roy by A&A Optical – WINNER
2 Blind Brothers by L’Amy
Calvin Klein by Marchon
Prada by EssilorLuxottica
Vera Wang by Kenmark

Best Sun Style – Independent:

Paloceras – WINNER
Karün
Paradigm
PRESS Eyewear
Thierry Lasry

Best Sun Style – Licensed:

Alain Mikli by EssilorLuxottica – WINNER
AllSaints by WestGroupe
Badgley Mischka by The McGee Group
Moncler by EssilorLuxottica
Sunday Somewhere by WestGroupe

Best Emerging Brand:

PRESS Eyewear – WINNER
EYEFLY by MODO
Francis de Lara
Paloceras
Vuzix

Best Direct-to-Consumer Brand:

CEV Collection – WINNER
Jonas Paul Eyewear
Pair Eyewear

The Ultimate Accessory, presented in partnership with the Accessories Council:

COTI – WINNER
Francis de Lara
KURO Athletics
Sydnie Banks
TALLA

“This year’s NOW Awards showcased an extraordinary level of creativity and craftsmanship from across the industry,” said Nico Roseillier, Creator and Director of NOW by Vision Expo. “We received an incredible number of submissions from designers and brands around the world, each bringing a unique perspective to eyewear design. Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, whose work reflects the bold ideas, artistry, and innovation shaping the future of eyewear.”

Vision Expo looks forward to welcoming even more submissions from the global design community when the NOW Awards return in 2027. Submissions will open in the fall of 2026.

Vision Expo 2027 will take place in Las Vegas from March 10-13, 2027.

Source: Vision Expo

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March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Centennial Optical Launches Roots Sunglasses Collection

Centennial Optical has introduced a new sunglass line under the Roots Eyewear label, marking the debut of Roots Sunglasses, a Canadian-designed collection aimed at patients seeking fashionable prescription sunwear.

Centennial Optical Roots Sunglasses- man

According to the company, the new line is inspired by Canada’s outdoor lifestyle and is designed to balance contemporary styling with everyday durability and value. The frames are offered in handmade plastics and metal constructions, with modern shapes and colours intended to stand out in the optical dispensary.

All plano models in the collection are available with grey or brown lenses and provide 100% UV protection. The company notes that the entire line is Rx-ready, allowing eye care professionals to offer prescription sunwear options without requiring patients to compromise on style.

“With this launch, we saw an opportunity for a Canadian sunglass brand that could stand out on the board while offering many of the features of premium eyewear at a more accessible price point,” said Paul-André Desjardins, Vice President of Sales at Centennial Optical.

The initial release focuses primarily on fashion-driven designs and will be available to eye care professionals beginning in March. Prescription lens options include polarized and non-polarized lenses in commonly requested indexes.

A second Roots Sunglasses collection is expected in spring 2026 and will focus on sport-inspired frames designed for active lifestyles. That release is expected to include additional lens options such as polarized lenses, tinted lenses and mirror coatings.

Centennial Optical says the new line reflects its broader strategy of offering Canadian-designed eyewear collections that combine style, accessibility and practical options for optical practices.

Source: Centennial Optical

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March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Specsavers Names Jane Hoban Managing Director for Canada

Specsavers Canada-Specsavers Appoints Jane Hoban as Managing Director

Specsavers has appointed Jane Hoban as Managing Director of its Canadian business, effective March 1, 2026. The leadership change comes as the company marks five years of operations in Canada and continues to expand its national presence.

Since entering the Canadian market in 2021, Specsavers has grown from its first location in British Columbia to more than 270 stores across nine provinces and one territory. The optical retailer opened more than 130 new locations in 2025 alone.

Hoban previously served as Trading Director for Specsavers in Australia and New Zealand, where she oversaw product, marketing, public relations and e-commerce. During her seven years with the organization’s ANZ business, she also held roles including Director of Marketing and Director of Trading Development.

In her new role, Hoban will oversee the company’s Canadian strategy as it continues expanding its network of optical stores and partnerships with optometry and retail partners.

“I’m deeply honoured to lead Specsavers Canada at such an exciting moment,” Hoban said in a statement. “In just five years, the Canadian team has made significant progress in expanding access to eyecare, supporting more than a million Canadians and establishing a network of over 270 stores nationwide.”

Hoban brings more than two decades of experience in retail, consumer goods and marketing leadership. Before joining Specsavers, she held senior roles at Unilever, including Global Marketing Director for the T2 Tea brand and Vice President for the Global Drug Channel and AS Watson. She also served as Marketing Director for Asia Pacific at The Body Shop.

The appointment follows the tenure of Bill Moir, who led Specsavers Canada during its launch and early growth. Moir will transition to a new global role within the organization as Chief Customer Officer.

“Jane’s appointment represents an important milestone in Specsavers’ Canadian journey,” Moir said. “Her understanding of the Specsavers model and her leadership experience position the business well for its next phase of development.”

According to the company, Specsavers now operates in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon.

Source: Specsavers

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