Blog - OptikNow

April 30, 2026April 29, 2026

Ensuring Improved Access to Care Through Optimization of Optometric Scope

The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is working with governments across Canada to ensure that optometrists can practice to the full scope of their education and training.

Scope of practice decisions in health care should be grounded in core principles: what a profession is formally educated and assessed to do through accredited programs, and what can be delivered safely and effectively to patients.

Across Canada, provincial regulators are reviewing safe additions to optometrists’ authorized procedures. CAO supports open and transparent consultation processes about these additions, including public consultations where all stakeholders can participate. However, scope of practice decisions should be guided by evidence, accredited education, and regulatory standards. While other professions may provide perspectives, they should not be the basis for determining another profession’s scope.

As eye health and vision care needs grow – the result of an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, and increasing pressure on specialist services – it is critical that regulatory frameworks align with the competencies of health professionals. Optometrists are highly trained in the diagnosis and management of eye disease, including in-office procedures that are part of their accredited education and training.

“As research, technology advances, and clinical care continue to evolve, so too do the scopes of health professions, ensuring that patients benefit from the most current evidence and approaches to care,” said Dr. Allison Scott, President of the CAO. “This makes it possible for optometrists to provide more routine, in-office procedures, thereby improving access to safe, high quality, timely care for Canadians.”

Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

ZEISS ClearMind Lenses: Seeing Clearly, Thinking Clearly

Zeiss Clearmind sponsored post April 2026-EN

First-of-its-kind ZEISS prescription lenses to provide extremely clear vision –designed to reduce cognitive load

ZEISS ClearMind: Scientifically proven reduction of cognitive load¹
Extremely clear vision for lower cognitive load, and ultimately better well-being
Integrated innovative ZEISS NeurOptix technology reduces and optimizes lens blur
All-day lens portfolio including single vision, progressive and digital focal types²

It feels like our eyes are busier than ever. In today’s fast-paced world with countless visual stimuli to process, every one of us may be confronted with a degree of information overload.³ Blurred vision further compromises our ability to identify and interpret complex stimuli, as we need to compensate for the lack of clear visual information. This is why ZEISS is introducing the new premium ZEISS ClearMind portfolio: All-day lenses for extremely clear vision that help eyeglass wearers to reduce their cognitive load ¹, sustain focus, and positively impact their ability to concentrate, ultimately leading to an overall feeling of improved well-being. With ZEISS ClearMind, eye care professionals can elevate their practice with the most sophisticated lenses for their customers’ eyes and mind.

ZEISS ClearMind: Scientifically proven reduction of cognitive load

For the first time in vision research, results from ZEISS Vision Science Lab⁴ studies have proven that clarity of vision and cognitive load are objectively interrelated. Simply put, ZEISS found a link between lens blur and cognitive load.⁵ When lens blur compromises vision, the human brain works harder to make sense of blurry or incomplete images – a situation that can elevate cognitive load; and requires more mental effort. ZEISS ClearMind decreases and optimizes peripheral lens blur, helping to reduce cognitive load.

Extremely clear vision for lower cognitive load, and ultimately better well-being

“By reducing blur and optimizing visual clarity in the key areas for everyday visual behavior, ZEISS ClearMind lenses support the brain’s effort to process visual information, thus positively impacting cognitive load,” explains Patrick Michel, Senior Global Product Manager, ZEISS Vision Care. In consumer studies, 96 % of wearers confirm extremely clear vision wearing ZEISS ClearMind lenses.⁶ 9 out of 10 wearers also experienced less cognitive load in a blind test compared to a standard ZEISS progressive lens.⁷ Essentially, ZEISS ClearMind lenses facilitate the ability to stay focused and concentrate on tasks.⁸ 8 out of 10 wearers perceived that these lenses contribute positively to overall well-being.⁹

¹ Cognitive load describes the amount of working memory applied to fulfill a specific task. The term refers to the fact that our brain has a limit to the amount of information it can process at any given time

² Availability depends on market

³ Arnold, M., Goldschmitt, M., & Rigotti, T. (2023). Dealing with information overload: a comprehensive review. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1122200

⁴ Part of Germany’s renowned Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen

⁵ Demonstrated by an EEG-based research approach. EEG stands for electroencephalogram, a scientific method to record the electrical activity of the brain

Integrated ZEISS NeurOptix technology reduces and optimizes lens blur

ZEISS NeurOptix is the innovation behind lower cognitive load. By aligning lens clarity zones to natural eye-movement patterns, this new technology aims to reduce the brain’s cognitive load. Thus, it delivers relaxed, effortless vision, as well as it improves comfort during long days of digital, visually busy and dynamic activities. Thanks to its new lens-design fingerprint, ZEISS NeurOptix enables extremely clear vision by applying advanced blur management so that optical errors are reduced and optimized, and clear vision zones are increased. With ZEISS NeurOptix technology, commonly existing blur zones within progressive lenses are moved to non-impairing lens areas. This provides ZEISS Progressive ClearMind lenses with up to 45% larger zones of clear vision compared to ZEISS SmartLife progressive lenses for near distance. Notably, 88% of wearers adapted within a few days, and 51% of wearers even adapted in one hour.¹⁰

All-day lens portfolio including single vision, progressive and digital focal types¹¹

ZEISS ClearMind comprises single vision, progressive, and digital lenses which are specifically designed to meet the vision needs of 35+ year-old spectacle lens wearers who experience blurry vision near or far besides an increased level of tired eyes due to age-related accommodative issues. Accordingly, 85% of wearers confirm that ZEISS Digital ClearMind lenses provide extra stress reduction for their eyes.¹² Furthermore, 69% of wearers say that their eyes feel vitalized throughout the day.¹³ Highly individualized glasses can be created with ZEISS ClearMind lenses through extensive customization options, such as ZEISS Intelligence Augmented Design – a data-driven technology built on 12.5 million data points to optimize lenses for age-related visual behavior.

Benefits at a glance

ZEISS ClearMind is a new, premium, all-day lens portfolio with larger zones of clear vision thanks to the innovative ZEISS NeurOptix technology.
- Scientific research proves that ZEISS ClearMind lenses reduce cognitive load and alleviate mental effort contributing to the ability to sustain focus and to concentrate.
- Thanks to different focal types, these new ZEISS lenses are available for all age groups – all to promote perceived overall well-being, and good vision.

“With ZEISS ClearMind, we’re taking vision to the next level — combining optical precision with cognitive science to help people see clearly, think effortlessly, and feel better every day “says Bryan Rossi, President of Carl Zeiss Vision Care Canada.

ZEISS, ClearMind, NeurOptix, SmartLife, and Intelligence Augmented Design are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Carl Zeiss AG or a ZEISS Group company.

⁶ Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=298, Single Vision, Digital & Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

⁷ NASA-TLX assessment of perceived cognitive load. Performance test on ZEISS ClearMind progressive lenses compared to standard ZEISS progressive lenses, N=30. ZEISS Vision Science Lab, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, DE 2025

⁸ 75% confirm that it feels easier for them to stay focused with ZEISS ClearMind lenses, and 76% state that ZEISS ClearMind lenses increased their ability to concentrate on tasks. Source: Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=298, Single Vision, Digital & Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

⁹ Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=298, Single Vision, Digital & Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

¹⁰ Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=193, Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

¹¹ Availability depends on market

¹² Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=64, Digital), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

¹³ Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India & China (N=298, Single Vision, Digital & Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes)

This is a sponsored post.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Warby Parker Launches Warby Parker Sport

Warby Parker has announced the launch of Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category that expands the brand’s offering into sport-focused frames and lenses.

According to the company, the collection is designed to combine technical performance with everyday wearability, reflecting growing consumer interest in eyewear suited to more active and varied lifestyles.

“We’ve never believed performance and great design have to be trade-offs. Our goal with Warby Parker Sport was to make approachable performance eyewear that transitions seamlessly from everyday wear to active moments,” said Dave Gilboa, Co-Founder and Co-CEO.

The new collection includes five frame styles, all made in Italy from lightweight nylon. The frames feature no-slip nose pads and concealed spring hinges, which the company says are intended to improve comfort, fit, and durability.

The collection also introduces new polarized performance lenses designed for different outdoor settings. According to Warby Parker, the lenses reduce horizontal glare by up to 55 per cent without distorting digital screens, while also enhancing clarity and contrast. Lens options include gray for water and road use, rosewood for trails and snow, and brown for field sports and fishing.

The company also said these new lenses can be added to non-Sport Warby Parker sun frames, giving customers additional customization options.

“Most performance eyewear isn’t designed with prescription wearers in mind,” said Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker. He said the new category was developed with a focus on optics, lightweight materials, and fit across a range of activities.

The collection is available in both prescription and non-prescription versions through its website and retail locations.

Source: Warby Parker

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Alcon and ARVO Continue Partnership on 2026 Eye Pitch Event

Alcon has announced the continuation of its collaboration with the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in support of the Eye Pitch event, scheduled to take place during the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting in Denver on May 5, 2026.

The live pitch competition invites ARVO members to present research, drug, device, and technology proposals to a judging panel that includes representatives from ARVO and the Alcon Seed Fund, the company’s innovation platform focused on early- and mid-stage ophthalmic technologies.

According to Alcon, the program is designed to spotlight promising innovations in eye and vision research and provide selected finalists with mentorship, live feedback, and the opportunity to compete for cash prizes. The overall winner will also be invited into the Alcon Seed Fund diligence process for possible investment of up to US$1 million.

In a statement, Franck Leveiller, Senior Vice President, Global Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Alcon, said the initiative reflects the company’s interest in supporting early-stage ophthalmic innovation with the potential to influence clinical practice.

Alcon said interest in the program has grown this year, with submissions up 43% compared with last year. Finalists are scheduled to present on Tuesday, May 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. MT, followed by a networking reception.

The company also highlighted comments from Jonathan Labriola, PhD, Director of Operations at Synakis, who said participation in the 2025 Eye Pitch program helped his team refine its scientific and commercial messaging and brought added visibility to its work.

Alongside Eye Pitch, Alcon said it will introduce VisionX at ARVO 2026, a new global open innovation initiative under the Alcon Seed Fund. According to the company, the program is intended to identify ideas from fields outside traditional ophthalmology, including artificial intelligence, photonics, advanced materials, robotics, and computational imaging, and connect them to challenges in vision science.

Alcon will also support the Alcon Research Institute, which is hosting the annual Steven M. Podos Colloquium on May 2 in Denver. The session will include a discussion on myopia progression: mechanisms and management featuring Dr. Lisa Ostrin and Dr. Jay Neitz, moderated by Dr. Allen C. Ho.

Source: Alcon

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Women of Distinction – Dr. Vishakha Thakrar: Leading with Expertise, Innovation, and Care

Dr. Vishakha Thakrar specialty contact lenses

By Shan Khan, R.O.

Some careers hit you in the chest and say, this is it. For Dr. Vishakha Thakrar, O.D., that moment came in her fourth year of optometry school, the first time she placed a specialty contact lens on a visually compromised patient.

“Watching someone see their kids clearly, recognize the details of their own face, and take in a world they thought was gone… it was a blessing,” she recalls. “Being the bridge between a scleral lens and a patient who believed their vision was gone never gets old.”

Originally planning to return to Canada after graduation, Dr. Thakrar’s path shifted when a mentor recognized her gift for specialty contact lenses. That nudge led her to Boston for a cornea and contact lens residency at the New England College of Optometry. Rotations at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Boston Foundation for Sight immersed her in scleral lenses and orthokeratology, cementing her love for managing complex corneal and ocular surface cases.

She then joined the Cole Eye Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, where she introduced scleral lenses into a large tertiary care setting and began lecturing to share her patient experiences and clinical insights with colleagues and students. But in 2006, when she returned to Canada, she noticed something glaring: scleral lenses weren’t being widely used for patients who desperately needed them. Rather than accept the status quo, she opened a specialty practice focused on scleral lenses, dry eye disease, and myopia management, a move that would transform the lives of countless patients.

I had the privilege of consulting with Dr. Thakrar when her practice was just getting started, including fitting my husband, who has keratoconus, with his first set of RGP lenses. Watching her connect with patients so intuitively — listening carefully and getting it right the first time — it’s immediately clear why they trust her without hesitation.

Innovation has always been central to Dr. Thakrar’s practice. From EyePrint Prosthetic mouldable lenses to Ovitz higher-order aberration scleral lenses, she constantly pushes the boundaries of care. Scleral profilometry is next on her horizon, because why settle for amazing when you can be cutting-edge? Yet, for her, technology is a tool; restoring functional vision is what truly matters. “Even after 25 years, restoring functional vision hits me the same way it did on day one,” she says.

Balance hasn’t always been easy. Like many women in healthcare, she spent years putting everyone else first. Now, self-care is non-negotiable: strength training, meditation, and longevity-focused health allow her to show up fully for her patients, her family, and her team. When she does unplug, Dr. Thakrar is happiest near the water, yoga at sunrise, long beach walks with her husband, swimming, scuba diving, and evenings on a yacht with friends and family. Travel fuels her soul too, 36 countries and counting, with Bali still patiently waiting at the top of her list.

“True leadership isn’t about titles or doing it all perfectly. It’s showing up with heart, passion, and intention every single day. The best part of this career is seeing patients rediscover the world, it never gets old, and it never fails to humble me.” Dr. Vishakha Thakrar embodies why we do what we do: to make lives better, one patient, one prescription, and one clear moment at a time. She is vision, expertise, and heart personified.

About the Author:

Shan Khan, R.O

Shan Khan, is an optician and educator passionate about advancing eye care and eyewear awareness in Canada. As Editor-in-Chief of Optik Magazine, she brings a keen industry perspective and a commitment to spotlighting innovation, style, and professionalism across the optical landscape.

Want to see more articles like this? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazine and newsletters!