The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO) have announced new dates for the 6th World Congress of Optometry (WCO6), which will now be held from April 2 to 4, 2027, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event will take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) and will be held alongside the 11th Saudi Optometry Conference and the first SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Originally scheduled for November 2026, the congress was rescheduled following what the organizers described as a joint review aimed at supporting broader international participation, improving travel accessibility, and strengthening the scientific, professional, and industry experience for delegates, speakers, partners, and exhibitors.
“Hosting this milestone event in the Eastern Mediterranean region is a significant moment for optometry, and we are confident that the new dates will allow us to realize its full potential,” said Dr. Cindy Tromans, President of the World Council of Optometry. “Ensuring that our members and partners worldwide can fully engage in and benefit from the Congress remains at the heart of our decision-making.”
In a statement, Dr. Waleed AlGhamdi, President of the Saudi Society of Optometry, said the revised dates are intended to help strengthen global participation while supporting a high-quality international meeting focused on clinical practice, education, research, and professional collaboration.
According to the organizers, the updated schedule will also support further development of the exhibition component, including the inaugural SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
WCO6 will mark the first World Congress of Optometry to be held in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The event is expected to bring together optometrists, educators, researchers, students, policymakers, professional organizations, and industry representatives from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
The organizers also said the abstract submission deadline has been extended to June 30, 2026, and early bird registration will remain open until January 31, 2027.
WestGroupe announces the retirement of Beverly Suliteanu, Vice President, Product Development; Creative Director, effective May 31ˢᵗ, 2026, marking the close of an extraordinary chapter in the company’s history and the evolution of a family-led business.
A second-generation leader, Beverly has been an integral part of WestGroupe’s leadership for more than three decades, working alongside her brother, Michael Suliteanu, and Mike DeBono. Since joining the company in 1994, she has played a defining role in shaping its product vision, creative direction, and brand portfolio.
Over her tenure, Beverly led product development and creative direction for more than 30 years, driving the creation and long-term success of cornerstone brands including KLiiK denmark, Fysh, Evatik, OTP, and Superflex, collections that continue to resonate in the market decades after their launch. Guided by her vision, WestGroupe was among the first North American eyewear companies to invest in building its own proprietary brands at a time when the industry was largely driven by licensed labels. Beginning in the early 2000s, she led the development of these collections, which continue to perform strongly today. This long-term relevance is complemented by the enduring success of Superflex, a collection with more than 50 years of history. Together, these brands reflect an uncommon longevity in an industry often defined by rapid brand turnover, underscoring WestGroupe’s ability to build and sustain meaningful brand equity over time.
She also played a pivotal role in expanding WestGroupe’s brand portfolio through strategic distribution partnerships, bringing internationally recognized brands such as Stepper, Moleskine and AllSaints, along with distinctive independent eyewear collections including Sunday Somewhere and NanoVista, into the company’s evolving assortment.
Beyond product, Beverly’s impact has been deeply felt across the organization through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to building brands with clarity, purpose, and longevity.
“Beverly is not only my sister, but my partner in building this business,” said Michael Suliteanu. “Together, we carried forward what our father started and worked side by side to grow WestGroupe into what it is today. Her passion for product, her instinct for design, and her dedication to doing things the right way has shaped every part of this company. While this is a well-deserved next chapter for her, her presence, energy, and vision will be deeply missed, both personally and professionally.”
As part of this transition, WestGroupe announces the appointment of Natalie Lacroce as Vice President, Brand & Product Planning.
Beverly Suliteanu & Natalie Lacroce
In her new role, Lacroce will lead the strategic direction of WestGroupe’s brand portfolio, overseeing product planning, lifecycle management, and long-term brand development. She will work closely with cross-functional teams to align design, merchandising, and market insights, ensuring the continued evolution and strength of the company’s collections. As part of her mandate, she will also oversee the company’s analytics function, including inventory management, further strengthening the link between product strategy and operational performance.
Lacroce brings more than 25 years of experience in the optical industry, spanning both wholesale and retail environments. Most recently, she spent over two decades at Loblaw Companies Limited, where she served as Category Director, Optical, leading the development and execution of business strategies to drive profitable growth. In this role, she oversaw the full product lifecycle, from concept to commercialization, while strengthening vendor partnerships and driving alignment across merchandising, innovation, and customer experience initiatives.
Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Lacroce has built a reputation for aligning brand vision with market opportunities to deliver impactful, customer-centric results. She began her career in product development at Centennial Optical, where she developed a strong foundation in the industry that continues to inform her approach today.
“Natalie brings a clear and disciplined approach to brand and product,” added Mike DeBono. “She understands how to connect long-term vision with execution, and we are confident she will build on the strong foundation that Beverly has created.”
Reflecting on her time with the company, Beverly Suliteanu shared: “It has been incredibly meaningful to grow this business alongside my family and our extended team. I am proud of the brands we’ve built, the relationships we’ve developed, and the passion for product that continues to define WestGroupe. I leave knowing the company is in very strong hands, with a clear vision for the future.”
This leadership transition reflects WestGroupe’s continued commitment to innovation, disciplined product strategy, and meaningful brand building, while honouring the legacy of a company shaped by family leadership and long-term vision.
Source: WestGroupe
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CooperVision has announced the completion of enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval clinical studies in the United States and China, marking a milestone in the development of real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
According to the company, these studies, together with the seven-year clinical trial of ActivControl® Technology, make up the longest and most comprehensive clinical evidence program undertaken to date for contact lens-based myopia control in children. The program includes both randomized controlled efficacy trials and large-scale safety registries.
CooperVision said the combined post-approval study programs span more than 100 clinical sites and include over 3,000 children. The company noted that the resulting data will add to the existing body of research on MiSight® 1 day, which has already been widely published and cited in ophthalmology and optometry.
The announcement coincides with Myopia Awareness Week 2026, running from May 18 to 24, and aligns with the company’s broader focus on advancing understanding of pediatric myopia, a condition expected to affect nearly half the global population by 2050.
“Completing enrollment is a crucial step, allowing us to start analyzing data that will further illustrate how MiSight® 1 day performs in real-world settings over multiple years,” said Kathryn Richdale, OD, PhD, Director of Post-Market Clinical Affairs at CooperVision. “The findings will further strengthen the existing evidence supporting MiSight® 1 day, helping eye care professionals continue to make informed myopia management decisions and reinforcing long-term confidence for families.”
According to CooperVision, participants in the multi-year studies represent populations across both the U.S. and China, with final data expected to be released on a rolling basis between 2027 and 2030.
The company also announced the release of Progress in Focus: The Global Impact of MiSight® 1 day, a report that brings together evidence related to the MiSight product family and outlines its development, including the planned Canadian introduction of MyDay® MiSight® 1 day.
One year ago, OptikNOW featured Dr. Alexa Hecht in the article “ECPs with a Side Gig: The Power of Social Influencers,” highlighting how eye care professionals were building personal brands and reaching new audiences through social media.
For Dr. Hecht, however, social media has become much more than a side gig. It has been a core practice growth strategy — one that helped create the visibility, patient connection and professional momentum needed to launch her own independent optometry practice.
The first CE webinar, “From Content to Clinic: Social Media as Patient Education in Optometry” on June 24 at 8 PM EDT and features Dr. Alexa Hecht, who has fostered a significant online following, including more than 60,000 followers on TikTok and 36,000 followers on Instagram.
In this session, Dr. Hecht will explore how social media can move beyond simple awareness-building to become a meaningful driver of practice growth. Drawing from her own experience, she will discuss how optometrists can use social platforms to build trust, communicate expertise, connect with current and prospective patients, and support the growth of an independent practice.
The Optometry Practice Strategy Series is a new national webinar program designed to help Canadian optometrists strengthen the business side of practice ownership and management. The series will feature expert-led sessions on timely topics including social media marketing, tax strategy, practice valuation, operational systems, artificial intelligence tools, and high performance team management.
The course has been COPE qualified for 1 hour of continuing education credit under COPE ID #104574-GO. There is no cost to attend.
Designed for optometrists at different stages of practice life, the series will deliver practical, business-relevant information for those building a new clinic, growing an established practice, or planning for a future transition.
Registration for the series is available at no cost.
If eyes are the windows into the soul, perhaps ears are the doorway to the heart. Both vision and hearing play huge roles in enjoying life. Whether it is the ability to read or the ability to participate in conversations, both are central to day-to-day connection and independence. Like vision, hearing deteriorates with age. Early detection and timely intervention can improve long-term vision and hearing health and overall wellness.
One Stop for Vision and Hearing Care
At three of our five clinics at Cowichan Eyecare, we have integrated hearing services. My brother is a Doctor of Audiology and leads our hearing care division.
Our first instinct was to operate in a silo and simply share space. Some of that may have stemmed from a fear of being viewed as nepotistic if we more closely integrated the vision and hearing offerings. Over time, we have continued to integrate both services in a more intentional way, and patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The convenience of addressing hearing needs in a place you already trust for eyecare, or vice versa, has quelled our initial reservations about joint care.
There are also real economies of scale that create efficiency and cost savings with hearing and vision integration. We share a front desk and a call-answering system, which streamlines communication and scheduling. We use a common Practice Management System (PMS) for billing and recalls, which helps us keep patients on track with follow-up care. Shared restrooms and lunchrooms allow for efficient use of space, leaving more room for special testing or retail areas in the clinic.
One of the key differences between vision and hearing is that there is often a significant lag between the onset of hearing loss and the time a patient seeks corrective help. Increasing awareness in both disciplines, and cross-educating our teams, is a practical way to reduce that lag and get people the support they need sooner. In our experience, simply having both services under one roof creates more natural conversations about overall sensory health.
The Role of Hearing and Vision on Cognition
Hearing is inextricably linked to cognition. Audiologists often say the ears collect sound, but it is the brain that hears. There is substantial research highlighting a connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive disorders. More recent research is also showing that improving hearing can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Keeping our hearing healthy is an important part of keeping our brain in an optimal state.
“In cases where vision is compromised such as macular degeneration optimizing hearing is even more important due to limited cognitive resource theory.”
Because we cannot fully close our ears the way we can close our eyes, the brain is constantly receiving and processing sound. This ongoing processing keeps the auditory centres of the brain engaged and “exercised.” When we hear, the brain chooses to pay attention to some sounds (for example, conversation) and to tune out others (for example, the hum of traffic). That filtering is work, and it is part of what makes hearing such an active, brain-driven process.
We all have a certain amount of cognitive capacity, or “brain power.” That resource is limited, and the amount we have available at any given time depends on many factors, including fatigue. When we have untreated hearing loss, we use cognitive resources, and often our vision as well, to fill in the blanks of what our ears are not giving us. In conversation, hearing is the first step before we can understand content. A hearing deficiency demands cognitive resources first, and whatever brain power is left over can then be used to process, remember, recall, think ahead, draw analogies, create and understand jokes, and stay engaged in the moment.
Research has shown a significantly higher incidence of cognitive disorder in people with untreated hearing loss. For example, individuals with hearing loss between the ages of 45 and 65 have been shown to have two to five times the risk of reduced cognition and dementia, depending on the severity of the hearing loss (Lin et al., 2011; Livingston et al., 2020). More recent research is beginning to show that when hearing loss is treated, cognitive performance can improve significantly (Jiang et al., 2023).
The primary advantage of correcting milder degrees of hearing loss may be the potential cognitive benefit. When missing sounds are filled in with assistive devices such as hearing aids, it reduces demand on limited cognitive resources. Those resources can then be deployed for higher-order tasks, including comprehension, memory, and social connection. In cases where vision is compromised such as macular degeneration optimizing hearing is even more important due to limited cognitive resource theory.
The Business Opportunity
Our metrics show that hearing care revenue represents about 30% of the eyecare revenue opportunity. That means that, with little added space, a significant additional source of revenue can be available in many eyecare clinic settings. A hearing booth is required, but the footprint is manageable and the impact can be meaningful. A hearing booth is simply a small, sound-treated room that allows accurate testing and fittings in a quiet environment. There are few eyecare subspecialties that can provide this amount of financial upside without major renovation.
Of course, the details matter. The revenue-sharing agreement needs to be worked out, and medical manpower needs to be accounted for, including appropriate compensation for the audiologist. When it is structured properly, the integration can be both clinically valuable and financially sensible.
Wearables as the Gateway
New eyeglasses are coming to market that will be hearing-assistive. These glasses will provide sound enhancement and refinement by cancelling noise and using directional microphones built into the frame. These hearing glasses will likely provide solutions sooner for patients with low to moderate hearing loss.
They will not replace customized hearing instruments, and they are not meant to. Still, as an entry point, hearing glasses can be assistive at a lower cost, while also delivering great vision with prescription lenses. For some patients, that may reduce barriers and normalize getting help earlier.
The Focus on Wellness
Optometry and eyecare will continue to evolve. Technological advancements in wearables, enhanced diagnostics, and individualized solutions will allow ECPs to support better overall health and wellness for our patients. Can you hear it? The future will be clear, and it sounds amazing!
If you have noticed the TV volume creeping up, or you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves more often, bring it up at your next eye exam. We can help you understand what is normal, what is not, and what the next step could be.
About the Author:
Dr. Trevor Miranda, OD
Dr. Miranda is a partner in a multi-doctor, five-location practice on Vancouver Island. He is a strong advocate for true Independent Optometry. As a serial entrepreneur, Trevor is constantly testing different patient care and business models at his various locations. Many of these have turned out to be quite successful. Dr. Miranda is a regular contributor to Eye Care Business Canada under the category “Independent SightLines”. His latest project is the Optometry Unleashed podcast.
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CooperVision has completed enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval studies, marking a major step in building real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
Discover why hearing care belongs in your eyecare practice. Learn about the cognitive link between vision and hearing, economies of scale, and the 30% revenue growth opportunity for independent ECPs.
CooperVision has completed enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval studies, marking a major step in building real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
Discover why hearing care belongs in your eyecare practice. Learn about the cognitive link between vision and hearing, economies of scale, and the 30% revenue growth opportunity for independent ECPs.
CooperVision has completed enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval studies, marking a major step in building real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
Discover why hearing care belongs in your eyecare practice. Learn about the cognitive link between vision and hearing, economies of scale, and the 30% revenue growth opportunity for independent ECPs.
CooperVision has completed enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval studies, marking a major step in building real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
Discover why hearing care belongs in your eyecare practice. Learn about the cognitive link between vision and hearing, economies of scale, and the 30% revenue growth opportunity for independent ECPs.
