Seeing with the Heart: The Power of Giving Back

By Jade Bodzasy

Precision and clinical skill may restore sight, but it is compassion that deepens connection. Beyond the technical skill of prescribing lenses or diagnosing ocular conditions lies an equally powerful human responsibility: practicing emotional intelligence (EQ).

One of the most meaningful ways Emotional Intelligence (EQ) comes to life in eye care is through charitable action. Whether it’s offering free screenings at community events, donating glasses to underserved populations, or contributing time and expertise to global outreach missions, being charitable is more than an act of goodwill, it’s a direct reflection of emotionally intelligent leadership.

The Connection Between EQ and Charitable Practice

At its core, EQ is about recognizing and managing our own emotions, understanding the emotions of others, and building positive, meaningful connections. Charitable practice naturally strengthens each of these dimensions:

Self-Awareness: By stepping into charitable roles, professionals often reflect on their own privileges and resources. This awareness deepens gratitude, helping them reconnect with the purpose behind their work.
Self-Management: Charity frequently requires patience, adaptability, and humility. Eye care professionals may work in less-than-ideal conditions, manage limited resources, or adjust communication styles with diverse populations. These experiences enhance resilience and composure.
Social Awareness: Charitable action shines a spotlight on the needs, struggles, and aspirations of individuals who may otherwise be invisible in daily practice. This cultivates empathy and sensitivity, key skills for every eye care leader.
Relationship Management: Acts of giving strengthen trust with patients, colleagues, and the broader community. When professionals are seen as caring beyond profit, they create bonds that last well beyond a single appointment.

Charitable Work Builds Trust and Loyalty

Demonstrating generosity, whether through pro bono services or community sponsorship, communicates integrity and compassion. Patients who witness charitable commitment often develop a stronger sense of loyalty, choosing to remain with practices that align with their values.

Reducing Burnout and Increasing Meaning

Eye care can be demanding. Long hours, administrative pressures, and clinical challenges often take a toll on professionals’ mental well-being. Charitable initiatives act as a counterbalance by reconnecting practitioners with the human side of their work. For professionals, this renewed sense of purpose directly contributes to resilience and job satisfaction.

Strengthening Team Dynamics

Employees bond over the collective purpose of helping others, often breaking down workplace hierarchies in the process. This unity carries back into daily operations, improving communication and morale.

“EQ in action here means cultivating a workplace culture rooted in empathy, shared values, and service.”

When teams grow in EQ, it shows up in everyday interactions: smoother collaboration, clearer communication, stronger leadership, and a more positive workplace climate.

Expanding Professional Influence

Charitable acts position eye care professionals as leaders not only in medicine but also in community well-being. It demonstrates to future generations of practitioners that technical skill and emotional intelligence are inseparable in shaping what true leadership looks like.

About the Author:

Jade Bodzasy

Curious about Emotional Intelligence and how it
can support your team?
Hi, I’m Jade Bodzasy, an Emotional Intelligence
Facilitator based in Kingston, ON.
I love collaborating with business owners who care
about creating workplaces where people can:

Enjoy their work again: with less stress, tension,
and miscommunication.
Evolve into emotionally intelligent leaders: who
inspire, engage, and bring out the best in others.
Earn more together: by keeping great people,
building stronger client relationships, and fostering
a culture where everyone thrives.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to
connect and learn more about your team:
www.emotionalintelligenceconsultinginc.com

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January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

U.S. Optical Industry Reaches $69.5 Billion Despite Declines in Product Volume and Eye Exams

The U.S. optical industry continued to grow in value in 2025, even as consumers purchased fewer optical products and underwent fewer eye exams, according to Market inSights 2025 with 2026 Forecast, released by The Vision Council.

The industry is now estimated at $69.5 billion, reflecting a shift toward higher spending per purchase amid ongoing economic uncertainty. While unit volumes declined across most major optical categories, higher prices and a stronger focus on perceived value helped sustain overall revenue growth.

The report highlights more deliberate consumer behavior, with shoppers prioritizing fewer, higher-value purchases rather than disengaging from vision care altogether. Eye exams followed a similar pattern: despite a decline in the number of exams conducted, the overall market value increased, with the average exam cost rising by approximately $10 compared to 2024.

Among product categories, ophthalmic lenses remained the highest-value prescription segment, while plano sunglasses led non-prescription sales and were the only category to record a year-over-year increase in unit volume, up 2% in 2025.

In-person purchases continued to dominate the market, accounting for more than 80% of frame and lens sales, while contact lenses recorded the highest share of online purchases.

“People bought fewer products and had fewer exams, but they spent more per purchase,” said Alysse Henkel, Vice President of Research and inSights at The Vision Council. “This signals a clear shift toward value-driven decision-making in the optical market.”

The report also includes a 2026 forecast, noting areas of cautious optimism. Continued consumer spending, along with potential changes to tax refunds, could help offset the lower-volume trends observed in 2025.

Source: The Vision Council

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January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Contact Lens Institute Names 2026 Visionaries

Contact Lens Institute™ has named 17 established and emerging eye care community leaders as 2026 Visionaries, recognizing a diverse group of professionals from the United States and Canada. Representing a broad mix of practice settings, specialties, and research interests, the Visionaries program was established in 2021 to elevate peer-to-peer engagement for soft contact lens innovation and best practices.

Each Visionary has demonstrated a commitment to raising awareness of advances in soft contact lenses and prescribing benefits. Selected in part for their ability to connect with professional peers, they will contribute to initiatives that promote success through practical tools, data, and clinical and practice management insights, including Contact Lens Institute’s The EASY Way and See Tomorrow initiatives.

SevenVisionaries return to the program after serving in prior years, while 10 are newly appointed. 2026 members include:

Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique, Ocoee, Fla.*
Kelsea Brown, OD, MyEyeDr, Atlanta, Ga.
Elaine Chen, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Fullerton, Calif.
Jennifer Chinn, OD, Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care, San Diego, Calif.
Ryan Corte, OD, Northlake Eye, Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.*
Susan J. Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, First Sight Vision Care, Fulton, Md.*
Michael Gzik, ABO, NCLE, New York Optometric, Syracuse, NY
Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS, New England College of Optometry (NECO) Center for Eye Care, Boston*
Heidi Miller, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Principal Optometrist, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, Calif.
Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO, Mission Eye Care, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Julian Prosia, OD, Mountain Eyecare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Renée E. Reeder, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FSLS, FIACLE, FNAP, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Kentucky College of Optometry, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Ky.
Maria Sampalis, OD, Sampalis Eyecare, Cranston, R.I.
Scott Samples, FCLSA, NCLE-M, CPOT, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Harbir Sian, OD, Highstreet Eyecare Center and Clarity Eyecare, British Columbia, Canada*
Jennifer Stewart, OD, Look New Canaan, New Canaan, Conn.*
Shauna Thornhill, OD, Amarillo Vision Specialists, Amarillo, Texas*

*Returning Visionary

Contact Lens Institute 2026 Visionaries — *Pictured from left to right:*
*Top row:* Roxanne Achong-Coan, Kelsea Brown, Elaine Chen, Jennifer Chinn
*Second row:* Ryan Corte, Susan J. Gromacki, Michael Gzik, Jennifer Liao
*Third row:* Heidi Miller
*Fourth row:* Sheila Morrison, Julian Prosia, Renée Reeder, Maria Sampalis
*Fifth row:* Scott Samples, Harbir Sian, Jennifer Stewart, Shauna Thornhill

“Visionaries are chosen not only for their contact lens clinical expertise, but for their passion for sharing what works—with patients, colleagues, staff, and partners,” said Stan Rogaski, Contact Lens Institute executive director. “We congratulate our newest appointees and welcome back our returning group. Multiple 2026 initiatives are underway in which they’re already taking part, with much more to come.”

Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. The organization undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org.

Source : Contact Lens Institute

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January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

BonLook Ranks at the Top of its Category in Léger WOW Study

BonLook announces it has been ranked first in customer experience among eyewear stores in the latest Léger WOW Study 2026, and 24th overall across all categories. In addition, BonLook ranked first in digital customer experience nationwide, reinforcing the brand’s leadership both in Quebec and across Canada. This recognition highlights BonLook’s focus on delivering service that is personalized, thoughtful, and designed to make every customer feel confident and valued.

The Léger WOW Study, conducted by one of North America’s fastest-growing market research firms, measures customer experience across industries, analyzing factors such as service quality, engagement, and overall satisfaction. BonLook’s top ranking in Quebec’s eyewear category, alongside its first-place national ranking for digital experience, not only recognizes the team’s consistent excellence but also underscores how thoughtful, customer-focused interactions can set a brand apart in a competitive industry.

“This achievement is a reflection of the energy, professionalism, and genuine care our team brings to every interaction,” said Dr. Frédéric Marchand, Vice President, Optométristes Quebec. “Being recognized for both in-store and digital experience speaks to our commitment to meeting customers wherever they are, without compromising on quality or care. We are especially grateful to our customers; their trust and loyalty inspire us to create experiences that are thoughtful and uniquely BonLook.”

BonLook’s approach emphasizes attention to detail at every step – from product selection to service – ensuring customers feel valued, heard, and confident. This recognition celebrates both the team’s dedication and the enduring support of BonLook’s customers, which drives the company to continually raise the standard for exceptional care.

Looking ahead to 2026, BonLook remains focused on design excellence – creating eyewear designed in Montreal that blends innovation and unique style. Inspired by its customers and brought to life by its teams, BonLook is committed to offering bold, quality eyewear at accessible prices, while delivering industry-leading customer service experiences across Canada, both digitally and in-store.

Source: FYidoctors

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January 29, 2026January 22, 2026

Ió:ken: Where Indigenous Art Meets Contemporary Eyewear

Optik VOILA January-February 2026 Centennial optical IOKen Frame 04

A new frame collection; Ió:ken, born out of a collaboration with Centennial Optical, is launching in February 2026. This culturally inspired collection features original artwork, by Mohawk artist, Bruce Boots.

The line blends modern styling with authentic indigenous symbols representing the heritage and resilience of the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous Nations.

Distributed by Centennial Optical: www.centennialoptical.com

About Centennial Optical

Centennial Optical is an independent, Canadian-owned company distributing ophthalmic frames and lenses, sunglasses, lab supplies, cases and accessories, nationally and internationally. Founded in 1967, Centennial sells optical goods and services to Eye Care Professionals (Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists), optical laboratories and optical retailers. Centennial is fully licensed by Health Canada to sell Class I and Class II medical devices. With corporate headquarters and central distribution located in Toronto, Centennial also has local customer service in Montreal and Vancouver.

Eyewear (Frames)

Centennial Optical began as a distributor of ophthalmic frames, selling its own exclusive brands. Today, in addition to being the Canadian distributor for several international designer brands of eyewear, such as Ann Taylor, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Ben Sherman, Champion, Christian Lacroix, FILA, Hackett, Jones New York, London Fog, Nicole Miller, Paradigm, Psycho Bunny, TLG and Vera Wang, Centennial works closely in developing and bringing to market Canadian fashion icons Alfred Sung, Roots and Beaver Canoe.

Lenses and Lab Supplies

Centennial is the Canadian wholesale distributor for Rodenstock and Kodak Lenses, plus other ophthalmic lenses from Signet Armorlite, Vision Ease, NuPolar and other lenses by Younger Optics, and lens products from a number of other manufacturers. Centennial’s house lens brands, CHOICE and Centoptic, offer customers an exceptional combination of performance and value in a wide selection of materials and treatments. Centennial is also pleased to offer a full range of lab supplies from 3M, BPI, DAC Vision and other suppliers.

Sunwear

Centennial is proud to distribute Serengeti, Bollé, and REVO Sunwear, both plano and Rx, to Canadian ECPs. As the maker of the world’s finest driving sunglass, Serengeti utilizes only the latest technologies and premium materials. Bollé constantly refines their trademark combination of fit, fashion and comfort, for high quality performance and protection. REVO sunglasses blend sleek design, tailored fit and legendary lens protection.

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