Launched as part of the organizations’ multi-year partnership supporting professional education, the tool is intended to guide optometrists through dry eye management using the latest TFOS DEWS III guidance. According to WCO and Alcon, the platform allows clinicians to select from three categories of underlying dry eye drivers — tear film deficiencies, eyelid anomalies, and ocular surface abnormalities — along with related sub-drivers to generate potential management options.
The tool also includes standard and advanced testing options and produces a concise summary report outlining recommended and clinician-selected management pathways. A built-in email function allows the report to be shared for later review or added to patient records.
At launch, the Dry Eye Management Map is available in English, with additional languages expected in the coming months. The resource complements the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, a multilingual tool that follows a three-step approach to dry eye care: mitigation, measurement, and management.
WCO President Cindy Tromans said the tool will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and educators worldwide, while Carla Mack of Alcon said it is designed to support evidence-based clinical decision-making and more personalized patient care.
WCO and Alcon said their dry eye education initiative is now in its fifth year and continues to expand its range of professional resources.
AYA Optical has introduced two new lightweight optical styles, Horizon and Breeze, featuring artwork by acclaimed Ojibwe artist Donald Chrétien.
Part of the brand’s Spring/Summer collection, the new metal frames are designed to combine lightweight comfort with subtle cultural storytelling. According to AYA Optical, both styles showcase Chrétien’s distinctive visual language, shaped by his Ojibwe heritage and recognized for its flowing lines, symbolic forms, and spiritual depth.
To complement the launch, AYA has also created custom microfiber cleaning cloths featuring enlarged versions of Chrétien’s artwork, extending the visual impact of the designs beyond the frame itself.
Horizon Spirit of the Story clothBreeze Loon Clan Cloth
“Donald’s work carries powerful symbolism and an incredible use of colour,” said Carla D’Angelo, Founder and Creative Director of AYA Optical. “With Horizon and Breeze, we wanted to create frames that feel almost weightless while still carrying the strength and story of his art. These styles reflect both technical refinement and cultural depth.”
The launch comes during a notable year for Chrétien, who is set to unveil two major public art installations in Toronto. On April 30, 2026, he will reveal a large-scale work at the new Indigenous Building at the University of Toronto Scarborough. A second installation, measuring 3 feet by 65 feet, is scheduled for June 21, 2026, at Church of the Redeemer at Avenue Road and Bloor Street.
AYA Optical said the Horizon and Breeze styles are now available through select optical retailers in Canada and the United States, as well as online.
Vision Expo 2026 wrapped its milestone 40th anniversary edition in Orlando, Florida, with strong attendance, expanded education programming, and a renewed focus on business, innovation, and industry connection.
Held March 11–14 at the Orange County Convention Center, the event marked the debut of a single annual Vision Expo format. Co-owned by RX and The Vision Council, the show welcomed more than 8,000 industry professionals from 92 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
Organizers said the event delivered more than 220 hours of accredited education, with conference attendance up 17% year over year. Participation in the Platinum Club program for multimillion-dollar practices and retailers also grew to more than 700 participants.
The 115,000-square-foot show floor featured more than 350 exhibitors, along with product launches, technology showcases, fashion presentations, and networking events. New features included the NOW Stage, the Innovation Center, and a 40th anniversary installation highlighting the event’s history and community.
“Vision Expo is unique because it is the only event that brings the full spectrum of the optical industry together,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council.
Attendee Dr. Sophia Visanji described the event as “quite possibly the most efficient way” to explore the latest eyewear, keep up with new technology, and network with industry peers.
Myopia management has become an essential part of modern pediatric eye care. For many practices, the challenge is no longer why it matters, but how to integrate it into everyday clinical workflows. This article outlines a practical, structured approach to getting started with confidence.
Why Myopia Management Matters
Myopia is increasing at a pace that most practices could not have imagined a decade ago. Parents are more informed, research continues to strengthen the evidence for intervention, and clinicians are seeing younger patients progress more quickly. For many eye care professionals, the challenge is not understanding why myopia management matters. It is knowing how and when to begin.
The current consensus has shifted away from waiting for moderate or high myopia. Early education of families, consideration of intervention in at-risk pre-myopes, and timely treatment for any child demonstrating progression are now considered best practice. Importantly, starting a myopia management program does not require a complete overhaul of your clinic. It requires a structured approach, a few essential tools, and clear communication with families and staff.
Start With the Fundamentals
Before offering intervention, it is essential to ground both clinicians and staff in the fundamentals: why myopia progresses, which treatments are evidence-based, and what success realistically looks like. Managing expectations early helps avoid common misconceptions, such as assuming rapid correction rather than slowed progression.
Evidence-based options include night wear contact lenses (orthokeratology), daily wear contact lenses (soft multifocal is the most common), low-dose atropine, and myopia control spectacle lenses. Lifestyle and environmental modifications are also paramount for success.
There is no minimum age requirement for starting therapy; decisions should be guided by refractive status and risk factors. Younger age of onset, parental myopia, ethnicity, reduced outdoor time, and early loss of expected hyperopia all increase risk. Starting with one or two modalities you already feel comfortable prescribing allows confidence to build before expanding services.
Evaluate Your Practice Readiness
Most primary care practices already have the foundation required to begin myopia management. Retinoscopy, keratometry, or corneal topography, and a structured refractive history provide a strong baseline. Axial length measurement is a valuable addition as programs mature, but it is not mandatory at the outset.
Equally important is workflow readiness. Decide how myopia consultations will be scheduled, how follow-ups will be structured, and how chair time will be allocated. Identifying a consistent process early reduces stress for the clinician and creates a predictable experience for families.
Create a Clear Clinical Workflow
A repeatable workflow makes myopia care more efficient and scalable. Begin with a comprehensive baseline assessment, including refractive history, family history, binocular vision status, and corneal shape if contact lens-based therapies are being considered.
Follow-up schedules should be modality-specific but consistent. Map out visits for the first year, determine which clinical data will be collected, and clarify staff roles for pre-testing, education, and follow-up communication. A clear structure simplifies scheduling and helps parents understand the long-term nature of care from the outset.
Communicate Confidently with Caregivers and Patients
Clear communication is often the deciding factor in whether families move forward. Conversations should focus on long-term eye health rather than short-term prescription changes. Parents value understanding what treatment aims to achieve, what it cannot guarantee, and how lifestyle factors such as outdoor time and near-work habits influence outcomes.
It is also important to address quality of life. While clinical success has traditionally been measured by refractive and biometric outcomes, patient and caregiver experience matters. Monitoring comfort, visual function, and overall satisfaction ensures that management strategies remain sustainable and positive for the child.
Transparent discussion of fees improves trust. Many practices adopt bundled program fees to simplify financial conversations and clearly outline what is included in ongoing care.
Build and Empower Your Team
A successful myopia management program depends heavily on staff engagement. Front-line team members often introduce the concept, answer early questions, and reinforce messaging. Training staff in basic myopia theory, common terminology, and the purpose of specialized testing improves confidence and consistency.
In larger clinics, designating myopia coordinators to manage referrals, training visits, and follow-ups can greatly improve efficiency. Technical competency is essential as high-quality data collection underpins successful outcomes. Providing staff with simple scripts and knowing when to escalate questions to the clinician helps maintain trust and clarity for families.
Start Small, Then Expand
Launching a program with a small number of well-selected patients allows workflows to be refined and confidence to grow. Early successes help identify areas for improvement and build momentum across the team. As experience increases, practices can add modalities, introduce axial length monitoring, or develop enhanced educational tools.
Measure What Matters; and Know When to Adjust
Tracking outcomes is central to effective care. Refractive changes, corneal data, and axial length trends (where available) provide objective insight into progression. These metrics also guide decisions about continuing, modifying, or eventually tapering therapy.
Cessation of myopia management should be progression-based rather than age-based. While many patients slow between late adolescence and early adulthood, ongoing optical correction is still required, and some modalities, particularly orthokeratology, may continue to provide functional and lifestyle benefits beyond active progression years.
Taking the First Step
Myopia management is both an opportunity and a responsibility. With a structured approach, practical tools, and a team that shares the vision, starting a program is more achievable than many clinicians expect. Most importantly, early intervention can have a lasting impact on the long-term eye health of your pediatric patients. For practices looking to get started, the first step is simply committing to begin. The rest builds naturally with experience, communication, and consistent follow-up.
About the Author:
Dr. Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO
Dr. Sheila Morrison is an Alberta-based optometrist, educator, and clinical researcher specializing in cornea, contact lenses, myopia management, and dry eye. A former clinical university professor, she practices at Mission Eye Care in Calgary, Alberta, and supervises an accredited cornea and contact lens residency. She lectures, publishes internationally, and collaborates in clinical research.
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CUSTOMEYES, the luxury eyewear customization platform created by MIO Group (Manifattura Italiana Occhiali), is set to launch in Canada with the opening of the world’s first Atelier Customeyes at Eyes On Sheppard in Toronto on April 10, 2026.
According to the company, CUSTOMEYES is the first luxury eyewear brand built around painted acetate as a defining product signature. Each frame is made from premium Japanese acetate and hand-painted by Italian artisans, with the brand positioning the process as a way to bring added depth, colour nuance, and finish to the final product.
The collection also incorporates custom CNC-milled hinges machined from solid metal, exclusive internal cores, and a proprietary finishing library that allows for more than one million possible combinations of finishes, treatments, and aesthetic configurations.
In a statement, Giovanni Accongiagioco, founder of MIO Group, said CUSTOMEYES was created to bring a luxury concept to eyewear by turning the purchase process into a creative experience without compromising craftsmanship or precision. He added that Eyes On Sheppard was a natural fit for the first Atelier, citing its expertise, product culture, and customer care.
Dr. Kerry Salsberg, owner of Eyes On Sheppard, said the concept aligns with what many clients are seeking in the premium category: authentic luxury, strong materials, attention to detail, and a more personal result. He noted that the hand-painted Italian craftsmanship helps elevate customization into something tangible and distinctive.
The Atelier Customeyes will officially open on April 10, 2026, at Eyes On Sheppard, located at 90 Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
