CooperVision announced that Debbie Olive has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer. In her new role, Olive will oversee the company’s worldwide commercial functions, driving strategy and growth initiatives across the product portfolio. Succeeding Olive as President, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), is Rodolphe Rota, who has been promoted from his previous role.
Chief Commercial Officer
Debbie Olive
For over a decade, Olive has served in a variety of positions at CooperVision, from Vice President of Marketing for Europe to most recently President, EMEA.
Under her leadership, the company has achieved record revenues, operating income, and market share in the region.
Prior to joining CooperVision in 2013, Olive held senior sales and marketing roles at Novartis, Marks & Spencer, Kraft Jacob Suchard, and William Grant & Sons.
President, Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Rodolphe Rota
Since joining CooperVision as Vice President of Sales, EMEA, in 2022, Rota has leveraged his extensive commercial expertise to deliver outstanding performance across the region.
More recently, he has overseen management of the company’s France, Iberia, and Italy markets.
Rota previously spent nearly 30 years working in sales at Procter and Gamble, where he was named Vice President of European Sales, Oral Care.
Olive reports to Warner and succeeds Mark Harty, who will retire in early 2025. Rota reports to Olive.
“Both Debbie and Rodolphe have proven to be invaluable to CooperVision. Their strong leadership, depth of experience, and unwavering commitment to our mission of improving the way people see each day are critical to our success. I am confident that their contributions will help us continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers and partners around the world.”
Several straightforward, high-return actions by eye care practices have the potential to increase retention rates among new contact lens wearers, according to consumer data from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI). The association is previewing its latest research during this week’s Vision Expo West conference in Las Vegas, part of its multi-year See Tomorrow initiative.
CLI’s nationwide survey revealed that new (<2 years) and long-term (≥2 years) soft contact lens users share many similarities regarding factors that influence their decision to continue wear. Yet there are several differences that doctors and staff can lean into to help maintain satisfaction among more recently fit patients. This is particularly important when prior studies have shown that one in four wearers may drop out in the first year alone.
“Broadly speaking, we found that new wearers benefit from more personalized care to meet their lifestyle needs, more attention from the entire practice team, and more encouragement and training,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director. “That translates into happy, healthy patients whose satisfaction ratings skyrocket once they cross the two-year mark, turning them into lifelong contact lens fans.”
A remarkable 86% of long-term contact lens patients characterized their overall satisfaction as high (8-10 on a 10-point scale), with 67% of new wearers stating the same. Among the long-term group, overall dissatisfaction was nearly non-existent, with a scant 2% providing a rating of 4 or less.
When asked about doctor and staff actions to promote continued wear, contact lens patients identified three as most influential. They included making sure that contact lens prescriptions are updated to adapt to lifestyle changes (69% new wearers, 57% long-term wearers), providing trial lenses for new prescriptions (69% new wearers, 66% long-term wearers), and making sure people understand contact lens care (67% new wearers, 51% long-term wearers).
While previous CLI See Tomorrow research has illustrated the importance of engaging the entire practice staff in patient communication, the latest data reinforces the essential nature of taking an all-hands approach. Among long-term wearers, 59% say that their eye doctor extremely or greatly influences the decision to keep using contact lenses, with 52% reporting the same for their optician, 35% for exam staff technicians, 25% for optical staff, and 21% for administrative staff. Notably, these percentages soar for new wearers by double digits—74% for their eye doctor, 64% for the optician, 53% for exam staff, 53% for optical staff, and 44% for administrators such as receptionists.
Wearers also say the greater amount of time spent with the doctor and exam staff increases trust in their recommendations. This is more prominent among new wearers (74%), although still prevalent with long-term wearers (57%). The median opinion of what constituted “adequate” total exam time is 16-20 minutes for both groups.
Vision Expo West Events
On Thursday, September 19, at 10 a.m. PT, three CLI Visionaries—eye care professionals who exemplify outstanding contact lens prescribing practices—will discuss the preliminary research findings and implications on the Vision Expo West Innovation Stage. “Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma: Bold Moves to Keep Consumers in Contact Lenses” panelists include Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, Yesnick Vision Center; Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes Vision Center; and Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates. CLI Chairperson Carla Mack, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, FBCLA, will moderate.
And after resoundingly positive feedback from their temporary transformation at Vision Expo East, the Bad Habits—the “EyeDocs of Rock”—will once again become the Good Habits during the Vision Expo East opening night event. With one iconic song, the group will put contact lens wearer retention center stage in a way that will have attendees singing along for days afterward. Showgoers can present their badge for admission at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, beginning at 9 p.m. PT.
“After spending the past several months discussing how the eye care community can attract new contact lens wearers, we’re excited to turn everyone’s attention to keeping current wearers enthusiastic. The data we’ll share at Vision Expo West is only a fraction of what’s to come in our comprehensive research report later this year,” said Rogaski.
The new research was commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute and conducted by Prodege from August 9-21, 2024, via an online survey. Respondents were U.S. residents ages 18-64 who reported wearing soft contact lenses at least once per week, inclusive of new wearers (n=200) and long-term wearers (n=201).
The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org.
A pillar of the Canadian optical industry, Judith Hochstadter, co-founder of Canadian Optical Supply (COS) together with her late husband, Fred, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Judith and Fred Hochstadter of Canadian Optical Supply
The COS family, now in its third generation, is proud of the legacy left by Mrs. Hochstadter and will strive to continue the family tradition of premium service and quality in an environment where each employee counts.
Madame, from the COS family, thank you for many good years together.
Amir Hochstadter.
in the name of Robert Hochstadter, management, reps and staff
MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show announces a schedule change for the 2026 edition. The new dates, from January 31 to February 2, now fall a week prior to the February 6 opening of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games.
The decision to move the dates forward aims to ease planning for exhibitors and visitors from around the world who will be participating in the show. Moving the dates will make it possible to avoid logistic difficulties that the opening of the Olympic Games could entail, while offering a series of significant advantages, like greater availability and access to lodging and transportation and, above all, an overall improved experience for exhibitors and visitors.
“We are convinced that this choice, made possible thanks to our collaboration with Fieramilano, will lead to tangible benefits for exhibitors and visitors alike. By moving the event dates up one week, we will be able to continue to ensure an experience of the highest level, while also benefiting from the advantages that a city preparing to host an international event like the Olympics has to offer.Our aim is to make MIDO an event that is increasingly functional to the needs of industry stakeholders, promoting their business and professional connections in a context of excellence.”
Lorraine Berton, President, MIDO
With its new position on the calendar, MIDO 2026 reaffirms its commitment to focus on the needs of the market and its players, offering a leading global tradeshow.
The forthcoming edition of MIDO will take place at Fiera Milano Rho February 8 to 10, 2025.
Marcolin and Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a global, digitally led, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories, announced they have signed an exclusive licensing agreement. This partnership covers the design, production, and distribution of Abercrombie, abercrombie kids and Hollister brand eyewear, including sunglasses and optical frames.
The partnership represents a perfect union between Marcolin’s expertise in creating lifestyle eyewear and Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s unique style, bringing to life eyewear collections that reflect the bold and sophisticated spirit of its global brands.
“With the strength of our brands, we’re excited about category expansion, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for our partnership with Marcolin. As an industry leader in eyewear, Marcolin will offer high-quality product to new and existing customers, supporting our long-term growth ambitions.”
Fran Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Abercrombie & Fitch Co. into our portfolio. This new Partnership will support our growth strengthening our presence in the lifestyle segment for younger Customers, in line with our long-term strategy.”
Fabrizio Curci, Marcolin Group CEO & General Manager
The A&F Co. SS25 eyewear collections – the first to be produced by Marcolin – will be presented in early 2025 and to then become available worldwide by distribution through a network of selected stores.
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.
