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February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

New Contact Lens Update Explores the Evolution of Scleral Lenses

The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published Issue 88 of Contact Lens Update, which focuses entirely on scleral lenses—one of the most transformative modalities in modern contact lens practice. Four feature stories examine the expanding role of sclerals, real-world prescribing trends, and the technologies shaping contemporary practice. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.

“Today’s scleral lenses are no longer simply a last-resort option,” said Daddi Fadel, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Waterloo. “They have evolved into a powerful, highly customizable platform, giving clinicians the ability to manage complex visual and ocular surface challenges with unprecedented precision, comfort, and confidence.”

Contact Lens Update Issue 88 Authors — Contact Lens Update Issue 88 Contributors (clockwise from top left): Daddi Fadel, Rute J. Macedo de Araújo, Anitha Arvind, Monica Chaudhry, Jamie Kuzniar, Nicholas Brown.

Fadel, who is among the world’s most recognized authorities in specialty contact lenses, wrote the issue’s opening editorial. She outlines the “what, why, and how” of scleral lenses, describing their evolution into a versatile therapeutic and optical platform. Fadel explains their essential role in restoring visual quality, comfort, and quality of life where conventional corrections fail, and details how advanced diagnostics, customized scleral alignment, and emerging optical technologies enable optimized vision and ocular surface outcomes.

Rute J. Macedo de Araújo, PhD, is an optometrist, vision scientist, and researcher at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal) who concentrates on specialty lenses, corneal irregularities, and visual quality. She authors the feature article on current trends in scleral lens prescription, management, and evaluation. Her review highlights real-world scleral lens prescribing and management through the SCOPE initiative, illustrating progress in lens design and care but wide variability in follow-up practices.

Anitha Arvind, PhD, associate professor and head of Optometry at GD Goenka University and an expert in contact lenses and dry eye, and Monica Chaudhry, a senior optometrist with more than 40 years’ experience in specialty lenses and founder of MCVI, offer the clinical insight. These Gurugram, India-based professionals present a case showing how scleral lenses successfully managed long-term visual instability, irregular astigmatism, and contact lens intolerance post–radial keratotomy, using advanced corneal imaging to guide lens selection for stable vision and comfort.

The conference highlight is presented by Jamie Kuzniar, FSLS, FAAO, founder of Elevate Eye Care + Eyewear (Rochester Hills, Mich., U.S.), and Nicholas Brown, director of Engineering at Ovitz Inc. (Rochester, N.Y., U.S.). This case series presents clinical outcomes using wavefront‑guided scleral lenses to enhance visual quality in keratoconus patients. The results demonstrated significant reduction in higher‑order aberrations and improved visual acuity by custom correcting patient-specific optics and optimizing lens stability and fit for better real-world vision.

In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues.

The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Source: CORE

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February 18, 2026February 17, 2026

PANTONE Cloud Dancer: A Fresh Canvas for Optical Style in 2026

Pantone Cloud Dancer 2026 Optik magazine Jan-Feb issue PANTONE Cloud Dancer eyewear trends

By Shan Khan, R.O

Every year when Pantone announces its Color of the Year, the fashion and design worlds buzz. But in optical, we tend to ask a different question: What does this mean for eyewear? For our patients? For our dispensary?

For 2026, Pantone chose Cloud Dancer, a soft, warm white that feels clean, airy, and modern. And while you might not think “white” can drive trends, Cloud Dancer opens a lot of doors in eyewear styling and retail.

(Frame: J.F. Rey, JF1590 col. 1098)

Why This Color Matters to Opticians

White is often overlooked in frame design. Many opticians remember the days when white frames felt too bold or too niche. But Cloud Dancer isn’t a harsh, bright white. It’s warmer, softer, and far more wearable. Think of it as the “gentle white” that fits easily into everyday style.

For optical professionals, this means:
• It’s a neutral that works across skin tones.
• It allows us to highlight shape, fit, and craftsmanship, not just color.
• It supports the minimalist, clean-aesthetic trend patients are craving.

As someone who has spent decades in dispensaries, classrooms, and consulting rooms, I’ve learned that patients often want something new, but not risky. Cloud Dancer hits that sweet spot: fresh, modern, but approachable.

Cloud Dancer Frames: The New Quiet Statement

We’ve seen bright acetates, bold torts, and vibrant metals take their turn in the spotlight. Now, Cloud Dancer brings in something different: the quiet statement frame.

Picture this in your board:
• Matte white titanium in soft geometric shapes
• Warm white acetate with polished edges
• Subtle laminated whites paired with gold or champagne metal temples
• Oversized but weightless-feeling sculpted acetates

These look high-end, clean, and architectural, exactly the kind of styling that elevates a patient’s look without overwhelming them. Cloud Dancer gives opticians a chance to reintroduce white frames in a new, elegant way.

(Frame: Marchon, Linda Farrow,
Boyd Explorer Sunglasses)

Why Patients Will Love It

Patients today aren’t just choosing eyewear, they’re choosing identity. Cloud Dancer fits beautifully with current lifestyle trends:
• Minimalism without feeling cold
• Sustainability-focused shopping, white suggests purity and simplicity
• Calming neutrals that pair with everything from denim to tailored workwear

This shade also photographs beautifully, and as we know, patients love taking a selfie in their new glasses. A clean white frame pops on camera without being flashy.

Retail & Dispensary Opportunities

Opticians and optical store owners can have fun with this trend, not just in frames, but in merchandising and branding.

Suzanne Sendel Agency, Coco and Breezy, Lucy

Consider:
• A Cloud Dancer–themed display wall
• White props and acrylics to make colourful frames stand out
• Styling cards featuring soft-white backgrounds
• A “Color of the Year” window feature that highlights the trend

A warm white backdrop naturally draws the eye to the eyewear itself. As the owner of Quality Optical, I’ve seen firsthand how small colour cues in merchandising shift patient perception and elevate the perceived value of the collection.

Lens Technology Meets Style

White frames pair exceptionally well with:
• light tints (rose, champagne, grey-green)
• gradient sun tints
• blue-light filters
• mirrored coatings

(Frame: Claudia Alan, AYA Optical, River)

The contrast between a Cloud Dancer frame and a warm-toned lens can create a sophisticated, fashion-forward look, especially appealing to younger buyers and multifocal wearers looking to refresh their style.

A Colour That Resets the Mood

Cloud Dancer represents clarity, softness, and a fresh start. And our patients feel this. They’re coming in looking for simplicity, calm, and items that work with their busy lives. This colour supports the shift toward mindful, intentional design.

And honestly, after the last few years, a colour that feels like a breath of fresh air is exactly what our industry needs.

Final Thoughts

Cloud Dancer isn’t just a paint-chip shade. It’s a moment. A mood. A soft reset for eyewear styling as we move into 2026.

For opticians, it’s an opportunity to:
• refresh displays
• introduce softer neutral frames
• guide patients toward a new, clean aesthetic
• bring warmth and simplicity back into fashion conversations

Eyewear doesn’t have to shout to make an impact. Sometimes the most powerful statement is the quiet one. Cloud Dancer reminds us of that.

About the Author:

Shan Khan, RO

Shan Khan, is an optician and educator passionate about advancing eye care and eyewear awareness in Canada. As Editor-in-Chief of Optik Magazine, she brings a keen industry perspective and a commitment to spotlighting innovation, style, and professionalism across the optical landscape.

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February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Essilor Introduces Varilux Immersia Occupational Lens for Near-Range Visual Comfort

Essilor has launched Varilux Immersia, a new occupational lens designed to support presbyopes during sustained near and intermediate vision tasks, particularly those involving digital devices.

The company notes that modern visual habits increasingly involve screens and close-range multitasking, which can contribute to eye strain, focusing difficulty and postural discomfort if not properly addressed.

Varilux Immersia is intended to expand usable near vision while helping maintain a more natural head position. The lens is offered in two versions:

Immersia.mid for vision up to five feet (guaranteed up to 1.5 feet)
Immersia.room for vision up to ten feet (guaranteed up to three feet)

According to Essilor, the design is based on analysis of real-world viewing environments and screen positioning, combined with simulation modelling used during research and development. The company reports the lens can provide a wider area of clear near vision compared with a standard progressive lens and allow a broader range of comfortable head postures.

Essilor verre progessif standard et verre Varilux Immersia — Standard progessive lens / Varilux Immersia lens

The product also incorporates W.A.V.E 2.0 technology to manage higher-order aberrations and maintain visual quality in different lighting conditions.

In supporting materials, Essilor suggests occupational lenses may complement progressive lenses for presbyopes who spend long periods on close-range tasks. The company positions the Immersia.room option as suitable for early or emmetropic presbyopes, while Immersia.mid may serve as an additional pair for ametropic presbyopes.

Essilor states the goal of the lens is to provide more comfortable near-range vision during work and daily activities involving multiple viewing distances.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

BostonSight Outlines Five-Year Plan for Specialty Lens Innovation and Education

BostonSight has announced a five-year strategic roadmap focused on advancing scleral lens technology, research, and practitioner education, with an emphasis on improving access to specialty lens care worldwide.

The organization says the plan centres on collaboration across clinical, engineering, and scientific communities, alongside expanded training resources and new technology platforms intended to support ocular surface treatment.

To lead the initiative, BostonSight has formalized several leadership roles. Dr. Karen Carrasquillo, Chief Innovation and Education Officer, and Andrew Heim, Chief Technology Officer, will oversee innovation and technology strategy, working with Director of Innovative Technologies Dr. Chirag Patel and Director of Engineering Olga Tomashevskaya.

Heim joined BostonSight in 2025 as its first CTO and will focus on aligning technology infrastructure with clinical and operational goals, including the use of artificial intelligence to support clinical decision-making and strengthening data security practices.

According to BostonSight President and CEO Sara Yost, the appointments are intended to help the organization expand technological capabilities while maintaining reliability for practitioners and partners.

The roadmap also includes development of new data-driven scleral lens design approaches. BostonSight says Patel’s work analyzing corneo-scleral data has contributed to improving fitting efficiency, while ongoing engineering collaboration aims to enhance optical performance of lenses.

The organization further plans to expand access to its educational platforms globally, combining clinical training with digital delivery tools.

BostonSight states the broader objective is to increase availability of specialty lens care by supporting practitioners with training and technology resources.

Click HERE for the press release.

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February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Practice Success Story: Rita Abou-Matta, Optician — Optoplus Centre visuel de Montréal-Nord

Optik Histoires de réussite Success stories

At Centre Visuel Montréal-Nord, Rita Abou-Matta has made contact lenses a true area of clinical expertise. A licensed dispensing optician in Quebec, she devotes a significant portion of her practice to evaluating, fitting, and supporting contact lens patients, well beyond simply dispensing visual equipment.

Her work covers the entire process: analyzing visual needs, selecting geometries and materials, conducting trials, and providing detailed training on handling, hygiene, and safe wear. Learning to wear contact lenses is a particularly sensitive step, especially for children or patients apprehensive about touching their eyes. A structured educational approach, combined with technical rigor and patience, is essential to ensure long-term comfort and safety.

Multifocal fittings present an additional challenge. They require careful analysis of refraction, pupillary dynamics, ocular surface condition, and visual habits. Multiple trials are often necessary to optimize stability and visual quality at all distances. “It is highly precise work that requires time and close attention to the wearer’s expectations,” she explains.

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

In an environment shaped by large banners and volume- and price-driven commercial strategies, the clinic instead focuses on specialization and personalized care. Its independent status allows significant flexibility in product selection and fitting protocols.

The patient base is diverse: young families introducing children to contact lenses, active adults seeking practical solutions, a significant proportion of seniors requiring multifocals, and patients with more complex visual needs, often referred for specialized expertise.

Measurable Results

Over time, this approach has translated into concrete outcomes.

Today, approximately 30% of patients wear contact lenses, a proportion that has increased by about 40% over five years. Multifocal lenses account for nearly 20% of fittings, a share that continues to grow with the active aging population.

The retention rate reaches about 80% after fitting, reflecting the importance placed on follow-up care. External referrals — from both patients and other professionals — represent nearly 10% of new annual consultations, particularly for more complex cases.

From an organizational standpoint, the development of the service has contributed to roughly a 10% increase in contact lens sales, with a positive impact on the clinic’s overall revenue.

Trust as the Primary Indicator

For Rita Abou-Matta, success goes beyond numbers. It begins with satisfaction and loyalty: “Guiding each person toward comfortable, safe, and lasting vision remains my main motivation.”

This human dimension, combined with specialized technical expertise, has allowed Centre Visuel Montréal-Nord to stand out for its recognized contact lens services — meticulous work often invisible to the public, yet essential to the patient visual experience.