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March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana Further Strengthen Their Partnership Through 2050

EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana announced the extension of the current license agreement through 2050 for the development, production and worldwide distribution of prescription frames and sunglasses under the Dolce&Gabbana brand.

“We are very proud of this new agreement, which will allow us to continue supporting Dolce&Gabbana, one of the world’s most iconic brands, on what we see as an ideally endless journey. We feel deeply connected to the fashion house, as it represents a unique expression of style, art and culture. With a twenty-five-year horizon, the collaboration further reflects the evolution of our partnership model, increasingly oriented toward the long term, enabling deep integration of values, strategic vision and product culture and, ultimately, fostering meaningful and enduring progress over time”, commented Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO at EssilorLuxottica.

“Since 2004, EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana have carried forward a solid partnership, capable of combining strong business results, creative vision, and the development of a shared project. The strengthening of the long-term partnership we are signing confirms mutual confidence in the future and in the opportunities that both companies will be able to seize by continuing to work together in the years ahead. EssilorLuxottica stands out for its unique know-how in eyewear manufacturing, the high quality and global reach of its retail and distribution network, as well as its constant focus on technological innovation. Dolce&Gabbana is proud to further strengthen this partnership,” said Alfonso Dolce, Chief Executive Officer of Dolce&Gabbana.

Source: EssilorLuxottica

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March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

SightGlass Vision Strengthens Myopia Control Leadership with Two Appointments

SightGlass Vision has announced two appointments within its medical and professional affairs teams as the company continues to expand support for eyecare professionals in myopia control.

David Webley has joined as Senior Director, Clinical, Medical and Professional Affairs, while Fabio Carta has taken on the newly created role of Director, Professional Affairs. According to the company, both appointments are intended to strengthen relationships with the global eyecare community and expand support and education around DOT™ myopia control spectacle lenses.

SightGlass Vision says DOT lenses are designed to correct vision while slowing myopia progression through contrast management. The technology uses thousands of light-scattering elements to soften contrast before it reaches the retina, with the goal of mimicking more natural contrast signals.

The company also points to research showing that DOT lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 75% after 12 months of wear across diverse patient populations.

In a statement, Webley said the efficacy and safety of DOT lenses have already been clearly demonstrated, and that the next step is to raise awareness of contrast management and help more eyecare professionals understand how the lenses work.

Before joining SightGlass Vision, Webley earned a BSc in Optometry from Aston University and spent more than a decade in primary care practice. He later held education, development, professional affairs, and marketing roles with Vision Express in the U.K. and CooperVision in Europe. He has also served as chair of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) council since 2023.

Carta brings more than 25 years of professional experience and has held consulting or professional affairs roles with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb Italy, CooperVision, and Menicon Holdings B.V. Europe. His work has increasingly focused on myopia management.

According to Carta, DOT lenses are straightforward for eyecare professionals to prescribe and easy for children to wear, making them a practical option for practices expanding into myopia management.

SightGlass Vision said its DOT lenses have already launched commercially in China, Canada, Israel, Spain, and the U.K., with more than 1.5 million children having worn the lenses to date.

Click HERE for the press release.

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March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Francis de Lara Recognized at NOW Awards as Suzanne Sendel Agency Takes on Canadian Distribution

Independent eyewear brand Francis de Lara is gaining new momentum following its recognition at the NOW Awards during Vision Expo 2026 in Orlando, alongside a new distribution agreement in North America.

The brand was named a double finalist at this year’s NOW Awards, earning recognition in both the Best Emerging Brand and Ultimate Luxury Accessory categories for its Tuxedo frame. The model features gold-plated titanium, hand-set lapis lazuli cabochons, and a round diamond.

Tuxedo

Francis de Lara was one of only three brands to be recognized in more than one category, selected from hundreds of entries submitted from around the world.

The recognition comes as Suzanne Sendel Agency has signed an agreement to distribute the Francis de Lara collection in Canada and parts of the United States, supporting the brand’s continued expansion in the North American market.

In a statement, founder John-Paul Francis de Lara Pietrus said the double finalist distinction represents an important moment of validation for the young independent brand and reflects growing interest in its design vision.

Francis de Lara describes its eyewear as “jewellery for the face,” with a focus on craftsmanship, materials, and design.

Click HERE for the press release.

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March 18, 2026March 10, 2026

Woodys SS26: Audacity with a Purpose

Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila Mood Eywear Woodys Anuk

Woodys unveils its SS26 collection through a more fashion-forward and conceptual reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign. Featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and confident design statements, the collection blends craftsmanship, creativity, and modernity across optical and sunwear.

Featured model: Anuk col. 03

Distributed by Mood Eyewear: www.moodeyewear.com

About Mood Eyewear:

Mood Eyewear Inc is proud to lead in the latest European optical trends, integrating European fashion influences to enhance the visual experience. We consider it both a duty and an honor to support our business partners by providing personalized and efficient service. Our exclusive collections are carefully curated to blend creativity, innovation, art, design, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology.

Established in 2006, Mood Eyewear was founded with the aim of importing and offering prestigious optical and sunglass collections to the Canadian market. Our group ensures the distribution of renowned European brands, selected for their quality and distinctive aesthetics.

We are the exclusive distributors in Canada for brands such as Blackfin, Woodys, Le Parc, Visionario, X-Ide, MIC, I-Man, Komono, and NOS.

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March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Altris AI and Captify Win 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge at Vision Expo

Vision Expo, produced by RX and The Vision Council in collaboration with VSP Vision™, has announced the winners of the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, revealed live on March 13 at the show’s Innovation Stage in Orlando.

Following a four-week startup bootcamp and live pitches from four high-growth companies, Altris AI was named the Judge’s Winner. The company was recognized for its clinical impact, technological sophistication, and potential to transform the eyecare experience.

2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge winners

Captify received the Audience Choice Award, based on votes from Vision Expo attendees. The company was recognized for the strong response its smart eyewear solution generated among eyecare professionals on the show floor.

According to organizers, this year’s finalists reflected a broad range of technologies reshaping vision care, from AI-driven diagnostics and exam automation to digital education and accessibility-focused smart solutions.

Altris AI offers a clinical-grade SaaS platform designed to act as a “second set of eyes” for eyecare specialists. The company says its platform can identify more than 70 retinal biomarkers from OCT scans, helping providers match patients to appropriate treatments, devices, and clinical trials.

Captify, meanwhile, has developed prescription-ready, AI-enabled smart eyewear that provides real-time captioning for patients with hearing loss. The company positions the technology as a tool that can help independent optometrists offer accessibility-focused solutions that improve communication and quality of life.

The two other finalists were Alchemy Vision, a subscription-based digital training platform for eyecare teams, and EyeCareX, an AI platform founded by an optometrist that aims to automate and standardize core components of the optometric exam.

In addition to pitching live, finalists also exhibited in Vision Expo’s new Innovation Center, a dedicated space for emerging technologies featuring more than 20 startups working in areas including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and advanced diagnostics.

The selected early-stage startups may also have the opportunity to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s THINC Ventures.

Vision Expo said more information about the 2027 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge and the application link will be released later this fall. Vision Expo 2027 is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from March 10 to 13, 2027.

Source: Vision Expo

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