AYA Eyewear introduces Mikayla, a chic oversized metal frame blending lightweight comfort with bold, fashion-forward design. Available in Burgundy or Teal, this feminine style features soft metal tones and enamel detailing, showcasing a humpback whale by Indigenous artist Phil Gray.
Elevate your eyewear game with this contemporary, artful statement piece.
We believe that art is transformative, and that eyewear can be the canvas to share stories and art from around the world. AYA Eyewear was first launched in 2009 in collaboration with renowned First Nations Artist Corrine Hunt and has continued to flourish and grow every year.
We are committed to the details and realize that beautiful design takes time, precision, and attention, so we don’t cut corners. We stand by our product. We treat our artists as our partners and make sure that their stories and art are always shared in the most heartfelt authentic way.
We take pride in our service and seek opportunities to give back to the communities we serve and the artist’s charities of choice.
AYA Eyewear is truly a brand that stands out from the crowd and is loved by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike.
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Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) will host the inaugural Brien Holden Founders Award Dinner on October 7 in memory of Prof. Brien Holden, PhD. This year marks the tenth anniversary of his passing. The event will be held in Boston, MA, prior to the American Academy of Optometry’s 2025 Annual meeting. During the evening OGS will present the first Optometry Giving Sight Brien Holden Founders Awards.
“Brien was an international leader in bringing awareness to, and addressing, Uncorrected Refractive Error (URE) globally,” says OGS U.S. Board Chair Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon. “He spent his entire career working to eradicate preventable blindness and vision impairment caused by UREs.”
In 2003, Holden along with the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) team, brought together leaders from the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to discuss the need for a different approach to addressing URE—one rooted in the proverb: “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.”
Professor Brien Holden, PhD
At the time, most efforts to address URE focused on optometrist-led mission trips to areas with no access to eye care. “While these initiatives provided valuable one-time eye exams and eyeglasses to people in need, they lacked long-term, sustainable solutions to the ongoing need for primary eye care,” says Aragon. “Brien, along with BHVI, WCO and IAPB leadership, recognized that the root cause of URE was the lack of optometry professionals and infrastructure to support optometry in developing countries”, says Aragon. “So, they established Optometry Giving Sight as a fundraising entity to support global projects that provide education and clinical training for optometrists, ensuring they can deliver care both now and in the future. Brien’s vision was to invest in education and infrastructure that would build optometry and create lasting change.”
Holden’s widow, Yvonne, is pleased that Brien is being remembered this way. “He was passionate about OGS right from the very start,” she says, “and determined it would serve a great purpose in Optometry. I’m really proud that this is occurring because it would mean so much to him. I’m so happy that Brien hasn’t been forgotten, and that his work is continuing.”
“Brien was truly a visionary in the effort to create lasting and impactful improvements in access to primary eye care for all,” says OGS Canada Board Chair, Dr. Susan Cooper. “He understood that good vision is not only vital to the lives of individuals but also to the welfare of families and communities. We are proud to continue his legacy and pleased to honor him with this event.”
Since its founding, OGS has awarded more than 200 grants for supporting the establishment of 14 optometry schools, more than 130 vision centers, and the training of over 14,000 optometry professionals. Programs partially funded by OGS have served more than 8 million people in 47 countries.
More information about dinner sponsorships, individual tickets, and memorial donations can be found here. Award winners will be announced soon.
While orthokeratology has earned considerable attention of late for myopia control, it remains a versatile, reversible, and evolving solution for correcting multiple refractive errors and providing freedom from traditional eyewear.
“Although ortho-k lenses are widely recognized for their role in slowing myopia progression, they were initially developed for the correction of both myopia and astigmatism. These lenses can also correct hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia by reshaping the cornea overnight—incredible, high-precision technology deserving more recognition. This non-surgical approach allows patients to experience clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or soft contact lenses. We developed the latest issue of Contact Lens Update to help eye care professionals make even more use of the approach.”
Daddi Fadel, clinical scientist, CORE
Paul Gifford is an optometrist and research scientist specializing in orthokeratology and myopia control, an adjunct senior lecturer at UNSW Sydney, a visiting associate professor at the University of Waterloo, and co-founder of Myopia Profile Pty Ltd. His opening editorial provides an overview of orthokeratology’s advancements, its broad applications across the refractive spectrum, and its role in modern vision correction. He highlights its effectiveness, safety profile, and practical benefits, reinforcing the importance of integrating ortho-k into clinical practice for both children and adults.
Asif Iqbal, who is pursuing his PhD in Specialty Contact Lenses at the Contact Lens and Visual Optics Lab, Queensland University of Technology, and Stephen Vincent, director of the Centre for Vision and Eye Research at the Queensland University of Technology, authored the feature article. Their contribution investigated the effects of overnight ortho-k on corneal tissue thickness in adult myopes by measuring topographical epithelial and stromal changes after three months and assessing the impact of lens decentration on corneal thickness.
Aaron Wolf, the owner of Austin Optometry Group and Texas Specialty Eye Center in Austin, Texas, is an expert in specialty contact lenses, keratoconus, orthokeratology, and various ocular topography and imaging technologies. His clinical insight presents a case report on hyperopic orthokeratology with presbyopia, detailing lens design considerations, patient outcomes, and the potential of customized ortho-k lenses for presbyopic correction.
The conference highlight comes from Randy Kojima, who serves as the research director for the KATT Design Group in Vancouver, B.C., and who is on the faculty on the Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Ore. The study examines current ortho-k prescribing patterns, showing that while the majority of new fits are children and teenagers for myopia management, 14.5% were adults up to age 54, emphasizing the broader benefits of ortho-k beyond myopia control.
Contact Lens Update Issue 82 Contributors. Top Row, L-to-R: Paul Gifford, Asif Iqbal, Stephen Vincent. Bottom Row, L-to-R: Aaron Wolf, Randy Kojima
The Frame Affair announces its’ growing lineup of diverse, international brands exhibiting in New York City March 13-15, 2025. Located in beautiful Hudson Yards District, The Frame Affair will showcase unparalleled premium & luxury frame brands and the inspiration behind the collections.
Brands exhibiting at The Frame Affair currently include AllSaints by WestGroupe, Arthod, Danshari, Dansharian, De Rigo House Brands, Enki Eyewear, Exclusive Optical Lab, Frenk Eyewear, GDI Optical, Herian Firenze, House of MODO, ILLA Eyewear, Imago Eyewear, Italia Independent, Johann Von Goisern, Kazoku Lunettes, Lancel, LOOK Occhiali, Lowercase, LOZZA, Mattisse Eyewear, New Millennium Eyewear, Odette Lunettes, Police, Rye & Lye, Shwood, Tech Print Industries, TR Projects Eyewear Agency, X-IDE, Xavier Garcia, and Yalea.
Brands exhibiting inside Cirque d’Optique hosted by The Frame Affair, which focuses on a 360° eyewear experience, includes De Rigo, Derek Lam, ECO Eyewear, Liberated Eyewear, Optical X, twelve84, Western Optical, and WestGroupe.
“We [The Frame Affair] challenged ourselves to see differently and attract premium & luxury eyewear brands not currently exhibiting in NYC,” emphasizes Trevor Williams, Producer of The Frame Affair.
“Our goal is to ensure attendees walk away discovering new brands and purchasing new collections that differentiate their practices. Plus, by focusing on sharing the inspiration behind the collections, attendees will be able to sell the stories behind the eyewear; not just the basic stats.”
A Premier Experience for Industry Professionals
Guests of The Frame Affair will enjoy:
Luxury and Ultra-luxury Eyewear – Featuring collections from visionary independent brands that push the boundaries of design.
Immersive Storytelling – Exhibitors will share the passion and innovation behind their collections, creating a deeper connection between designers and attendees.
Upscale Cuisine and Beverage Service – Complimentary upscale cuisine and refreshments will enhance the luxury experience throughout the event.
The Golden Eye Awards – A highlight of The Frame Affair, this new awards show will recognize excellence in independent eyewear across five categories: Best Trends in Color, Fashion at Its Best, Art Everywhere You Look, Ultimate Luxury, People’s Choice
Luxury Eyewear Fashion Show – End your week with a beautiful, orchestrated Luxury Fashion Show where the spotlight is on luxury eyewear.
Why Attend The Frame Affair
For optometrists and opticians, The Frame Affair offers an unparalleled opportunity to:
Discover exclusive, high-end collections and gain early access to new trends and innovations.
Build relationships with independent designers driving innovation in luxury eyewear.
Explore unique design narratives that inspire creativity and differentiation in the competitive eyewear market.
Participate in the Golden Eye Awards live judging and vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Event Details
The Frame Affair Luxury Eyewear Trade Show
Date : March 13-15, 2025
Location: 450 W 31st St 7th floor, New York, NY 10001
Show Doors Open: 9 am to 9 pm EST
For more information, visit www.TheFrameAffair.com or contact Trevor Williams at trevor@cirquedoptique.com.
Join the conversation on social media using #TheFrameAffair #LuxuryEyewear #EyewearArtistry
Vision Expo East, the most comprehensive event for the optical industry, concluded an invigorating relaunch into the southeast region, taking place in Orlando, FL from February 19-22, 2025.
The strategic move to Orlando proved successful in attracting increased participation from Florida-based professionals, and attendees from 105 countries, featuring substantial growth in attendance from sought-after international markets like Latin America and Puerto Rico. Vision Expo East saw an influx of first-time attendees, comprising 44 percent of all show visitors, with most hailing from Florida, New York, California, Texas and New Jersey. Delivering a fresh energy and a vibrant new atmosphere that resonated with both long-time attendees and first-time visitors, the show offered a new floor layout that improved navigation, with bold branding and experiences to make it a productive and memorable event.
“Our move to Orlando marks an exciting new chapter for Vision Expo East, opening new doors for networking, innovation and industry growth,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “We listened to our community and enhanced the show experience in meaningful ways, making this year’s event an inspiring hub of creativity, collaboration and discovery. From the latest frame designs to independent labs and medical devices, our inaugural show in Florida highlighted the best in eyewear and eyecare and reflects our commitment to supporting the industry at all levels as it grows and evolves.”
From the curated show floor to after-hours networking, attendees experienced non-stop energy with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and engaging industry gatherings. The NOW Trend Showcase and Flaunt the Frame fashion shows brought style and trends to the show floor, while enriching education and Main Stage content like the OptiCon general session, featuring Scott Shapiro, delivered key insights into the future of eyecare and optical retail.
Bigger, Better and Bolder: Key Highlights
Vision Expo East 2025 offered more than 270 hours of accredited continuing education covering essential clinical, technical and business topics. The exhibit hall featured over 400 leading eyecare and eyewear brands, all showcased in a newly designed show floor that made it easier than ever to explore the latest innovations and design trends.
Conferee attendee Katherine Dalton-Brown of Dalton-Brown Optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago noted, “There’s a wide range of quality courses available. The sessions are quite interactive, so you participate and get involved meaningfully. It helps us to keep abreast of what’s happening in the world of optometry, because it’s a very fast paced profession, things are changing so quickly. This gives us the confidence to step forward into moving towards a better practice so we can better serve our patients.”
Noteworthy additions included:
Resource Center: A central hub for activations, experiences, knowledge, career potential and even a frame/color match analysis sponsored by Safilo
The Indie Lab Speakeasy: A new dedicated space for independent labs, previously an attendee group, to connect with ECPs, sponsored by Artisan Lab Network
Platinum Club Lounge: An upgraded oasis for media, hosted buyers and VIP industry professionals
Fashion: New frame styles could be found across the show floor, from the NOW trend display to the Italian Pavilion featuring 16 “Made in Italy” brands, to Independent Design featuring artisan designers from around the globe
New feature zones: Including the OTC Showcase for over-the-counter products to make their debut and Launch Pad, highlighting cutting edge technology in the optical space
Enhanced networking areas such as the Conferee Café, Zeiss German Beer Garden, and Pearle Vision Zone
Attendee, Dr. Francisco Bonilla of International Optical Group in Costa Rica says, “I love Vision Expo because it’s the optical show that has top performers and the best companies. I believe everyone in the industry should attend because it’s the greatest optical show in the United States.”
Exhibitor Christophe Trépanier of Design Eyewear Group added, “I think people come to find what’s next in eyewear, see the new technology and spot the new trends. It’s just the perfect way to connect with the designers, the companies, the sales reps – whatever you are looking for it’s here in Florida, you’ll find it at Vision Expo for sure.”
Star Power and Exclusive Industry Insights
Vision Expo East 2025 delivered major celebrity moments, including an inspiring keynote with tennis icon and entrepreneur, Venus Williams, who shared, “It doesn’t matter how good you get, you still have to compete, and for me, the competition was everything!” And INDYCAR Team Penske racer and Oakley athlete, Josef Newgarden, also made an exciting appearance at EssilorLuxottica, engaging in a live booth chat about his racing career followed by an exclusive meet-and-greet session.
The networking continued well beyond the convention center with industry events, including the reimagined Opening Night Party & Music Festival at multiple locations in The Pointe and a Tropical Cocktail Reception at the Rosen Centre complete with steel drum band and live bird photo ops. Attendees reveled in the opportunity to connect in a new setting that truly brought a sense of community back to the event, an opportunity that this industry has longed for.
Dr. Sophia Visanji, a long-time attendee, summed up the excitement, “I’ve been coming to Vision Expo East for the past 15 years and it felt like this year’s event in Orlando was like Vision Expo 2.0 – a new age of the show. The layout was really easy to navigate – I could easily check out the latest frame styles while still getting to explore new tech and tools for my practice. Love the new rebrand and the energy was incredible!”
Save the Date: Future Vision Expo Events
The next Vision Expo event, Vision Expo West 2025, will take place September 17-20, 2025, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, NV.
Vision Expo East 2026 will return to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from March 11-14, 2026.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
