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April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Bausch + Lomb Reports Growth in U.S. Contact Lens Recycling Program

Bausch + Lomb announces that its ONE by ONE Recycling program, developed in collaboration with recycling company TerraCycle, has now collected and recycled 119,715,074 units of used contact lenses, lens care and eye care materials in the United States, representing a total of 724,922 pounds.

According to the company, the program is intended to help divert materials such as contact lenses, blister packs, multi-purpose solution caps and other eye health-related waste from landfills and waterways. These items are generally not accepted through standard municipal recycling systems because of their size and the types of plastics used.

Bausch + Lomb said the program continues to expand as more eye care practices and patients participate. In a statement, Amy Butler, vice president of Global Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability at Bausch + Lomb, said the latest milestone reflects the cumulative impact of small recycling actions taken over time.

The company also cited estimates suggesting that, in the United States alone, between six and 10 metric tonnes of contact lenses enter wastewater systems each year. It says the ONE by ONE program is designed to reduce that environmental burden by providing an alternative collection stream for used eye care materials.

For participating U.S. practices, the program also includes a charitable component. Bausch + Lomb says that for each qualifying shipment of 10 pounds or more sent by a registered ONE by ONE Recycling program practice, a donation of $1 per pound is made to Optometry Giving Sight.

In Canada, the company operates a related initiative called Every Contact Counts, which Bausch + Lomb says has collected and recycled more than 78,269 pounds of used contact lenses, blister packs and top foils since its launch in 2019.

Bausch + Lomb says the recycling initiatives form part of its broader sustainability strategy, which includes environmental targets tied to fuel, energy, water and waste across its operations.

Source: Bausch + Lomb

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April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

HOYA Vision Care Launches Sensity 3 Light-Adaptive Lenses

HOYA Vision Care has announced the launch of Sensity® 3, the third generation of its Sensity light-adaptive lens line, highlighting improvements in activation durability, colour stability, and fade-back speed.

According to HOYA, Sensity 3 was developed to address patient expectations for longer-lasting photochromic performance over the life of a prescription. The company says internal testing simulating two years of regular wear found the new lenses offered improved durability over time, including greater resistance to fatigue and better colour stability compared with a leading competitor.

HOYA also reports that fade-back speed has improved by 25% compared with the previous generation of Sensity.

The company said the product builds on more than a decade of development in photochromic lens technology and reflects a continued focus on maintaining consistent lens performance in both activated and clear states.

“With Sensity^® 3’s durability, leading color stability and improved fade back speed, HOYA is now offering the best photochromic package,” said Manisa Wozniak, Global Head of Product Category Management. “We believe these improvements best meet the needs of patients, so eye care professionals can have a competitive advantage when dispensing photochromics.”

Sensity 3 is available in four colour options — Silver Grey, Bronze Brown, Emerald Green, and Oceanic Blue — in polycarbonate, while other materials are offered in Silver Grey and Bronze Brown. HOYA says the lenses are also available across its premium iD progressive, single vision, and full backside progressive designs, and can be paired with its anti-reflective treatments.

The company says Sensity 3 lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection and are designed for both indoor clarity and outdoor sun protection. HOYA also noted that the product became available through VSP on April 16, with additional managed vision care plan availability expected to follow.

Eye care professionals can contact HOYA for additional product details.

Source : Hoya Vision Care

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April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Patient Safety Must Remain the Foundation of Scope of Practice Decisions in Canada

As scope of practice expansion is actively being considered across Canada, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is emphasizing that patient safety must remain the central and non-negotiable principle guiding any changes to healthcare delivery.

While COS supports innovation and system modernization, it is deeply concerned that several proposed changes would expand independent clinical authority to non-physician providers without sufficient safeguards, standardized training equivalency, or mandatory review by relevant physician specialists.

“Patient safety is not negotiable, and it depends on ensuring that clinical responsibility matches the depth and breadth of medical training required to assume it,” said Dr. Mona Dagher, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “Diagnosis, treatment decisions, and procedural care require the full medical training of physicians, including the ability to integrate systemic disease, assess risk, and manage complications in real time.”

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors and surgeons trained to diagnose and manage eye disease within the context of overall health, including systemic conditions. This training is developed through medical school and years of residency within a structured, supervised, and accountable system, an approach that is fundamental to ensuring patient safety.

In eyecare, delayed or incorrect diagnosis can result in irreversible vision loss. Even routine-appearing assessments or procedures require the ability to recognize subtle but critical findings, escalate care appropriately, and manage complications when they arise.

From a primary care perspective, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) reaffirms the importance of maintaining clear scope definitions grounded in training.

“We support the position of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the importance of appropriate scopes of practice based firmly on training and expertise,” said Sarah Cook, President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. “We support collaboration—not substitution.”

COS and its physician partners are calling for mandatory, transparent, and medical expert-led review of any proposed scope of practice changes to ensure alignment between training, responsibility, and patient safety.

“At its core, this is about protecting patients,” added Dr. Dagher. “Different professionals contribute to care, but roles are not interchangeable. The level of care delivered must always match the level of training required to provide it safely.”

Source: Canadian Ophthalmological Society

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April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

American Academy of Optometry Opens Registration & Housing for Academy 2026 Anaheim

The American Academy of Optometry has opened registration and housing for Academy 2026 Anaheim, its premier annual meeting bringing together leaders in eye care, research, and vision science. The meeting will take place September 30-October 3, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Early bird registration rates are available now through July 29, 2026.

Academy 2026 Anaheim will offer more than 300 hours of continuing education, along with new research and clinical insights designed to advance patient care. Attendees will have the opportunity to customize their experience through a wide range of educational formats and special programs.

Education highlights include:

More than 300 hours of continuing education
Scientific papers and posters showcasing the latest research and interesting case reports
Section and Special Interest Group (SIG) symposia addressing specialized and relevant areas of focus
Hands-on workshops and intimate Academy Classroom Exchange (ACE) courses available to add-on enhancing your experience
Advanced training opportunities in lasers, surgical procedures, and aesthetics, with each offering 16 hours of CE as well as a certification in these specialized areas

“The Academy meeting is more than an event; it’s a celebration of the people and ideas that move our profession forward,” said Academy President, Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO. “When we come together in Anaheim, we strengthen our community, elevate our science, and reaffirm our commitment to lifelong learning. Register now and join us for an unforgettable Academy 2026 Anaheim.”

A featured highlight of this year’s meeting is the Plenary Session, “Insights to Action: Research Redefining Clinical Practice Today,” taking place Wednesday, September 30. This session will bring together leaders from Academy Sections and SIGs to present landmark studies that are reshaping clinical care. Through concise and high-impact presentations, this Plenary Session translates cutting-edge evidence into meaningful clinical insights, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to advancing patient care through research driven practice.

Another key session, the Monroe J. Hirsch Research Symposium, titled “Oculomics – Leveraging Ocular Biomarkers to Assess Systemic Health,” will explore how advances in ocular imaging and diagnostics are enabling earlier detection of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions.

The meeting will also feature hundreds of Scientific Program paper and poster presentations, including the popular Hot Topic CE Paper Sessions, offering timely insights into emerging research and clinical trends.

The abstract submission window for the Scientific Program will be open May 1-May 29, 2026, and are open to both members and nonmembers. Guidelines can be accessed here. The final program schedule will be announced in late July.

In addition to the continuing education opportunities, attendees will have access to a robust exhibit hall Wednesday through Friday, featuring more than 170 companies showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in eye care. There will also be additional opportunities to engage with industry partners during enriching breakfast, lunch, and dinner sessions scheduled throughout the meeting.

The Academy 2026 Anaheim Program Preview provides an overview of meeting highlights, educational offerings, and attendee resources, including information on contracted hotels, childcare services, and things to do in Anaheim.

Registration and housing are now open. Early bird registration rates will be available through July 29, 2026. For more information or to register, visit www.aaopt.org/2026.

Click HERE for the press release.

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April 15, 2026March 13, 2026

A Little Lift for Spring

Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila OGI Eyewear Eh

OGI Eh style brings bold sophistication with a wink. An upswept butterfly silhouette delivers a flattering profile, while triple acetate laminations and sharp colour blocking add energy and originality. Inspired by Minnesota’s unmistakable “eh,” meaning I’m not dead yet with a shoulder shrug, this frame turns confidence into a statement.

Distributed by: www.theopticalfoundry.com

About The Optical Foundry

Founded in 2002, The Optical Foundry is a collective of nine independent eyewear brands and Sayduck virtual try-on technology. Guided by the motto “Independence for Independents,” we empower optical professionals with quality products, innovative tools, and steadfast support.

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Bausch + Lomb Reports Growth in U.S. Contact Lens Recycling Program

HOYA Vision Care Launches Sensity 3 Light-Adaptive Lenses

Patient Safety Must Remain the Foundation of Scope of Practice Decisions in Canada

American Academy of Optometry Opens Registration & Housing for Academy 2026 Anaheim

A Little Lift for Spring

Distributed by: www.theopticalfoundry.com

About The Optical Foundry

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