Blog - Page 26 of 901

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

HOYA Launches VisuPro™ Advanced Focus Lenses for Emerging Presbyopes

HOYA Vision Care has announced the launch of VisuPro™ All Day and VisuPro™ Flex, a new category of advanced focus lenses designed for individuals aged 36–44 who are beginning to experience the early signs of presbyopia. The lenses will be available to order in the U.S. beginning September 17, with a Canadian launch planned later this year.

Addressing an Overlooked Patient Group

Presbyopia, the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects, typically begins in the late 30s and early 40s. HOYA research shows that more than half of adults in this age group report increasing difficulty with near vision, particularly when using digital devices. Many find single vision lenses insufficient yet hesitate to adopt progressive lenses due to adaptation concerns or perceived age inappropriateness.

VisuPro lenses aim to bridge this gap, offering a proactive solution for both spectacle and non-spectacle wearers, including emmetropes, contact lens users, and post-refractive surgery patients who require near vision support.

Technology Behind VisuPro

The new lenses combine two key innovations:

Focus Max Optimization – adds extra support for near and digital tasks, helping to reduce visual fatigue and eye strain.
Binocular Harmonization Technology™ (BHT) – HOYA’s proprietary method of harmonizing prescriptions for both eyes, improving focus stability and depth of vision.

Support for Eye Care Professionals

“VisuPro represents a new standard in personalized vision care,” said Samy Lauriette, Vice President of Strategic Marketing at HOYA Vision Care. “It is designed to maintain clarity and comfort at a stage when many patients begin to notice visual changes but aren’t ready for traditional progressive lenses.”

Eye care professionals can access training materials, sales tools, and patient resources at HOYAVision.com.

Source: HOYA Vision Care

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September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

COPE Reaffirms Substantive Equivalency with Medical CE Accreditation

The Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE®) has reaffirmed its Substantive Equivalency with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®), a recognition it has held since 2017. This equivalency means the COPE CE Accreditation system continues to meet the same rigorous standards as the CME system used in medicine.

Why this matters for Optometrists

Optometrists can be confident that the COPE-accredited continuing education (CE) activities they attend are developed and delivered under the same standards applied in medical education. This ensures courses are designed to enhance professional performance, address demonstrated educational needs, and measure real-world outcomes in patient care.

Why this matters for CE Providers

For CE providers, maintaining equivalency affirms that COPE-accredited activities are recognized as meeting established, internationally respected requirements. This recognition supports credibility, facilitates cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, and underscores independence from commercial influence in CE development.

Why this matters for Licensing Agencies

For ARBO’s member licensing agencies, substantive equivalency provides assurance that the CE system for optometry aligns with medical education standards. This helps protect the public by ensuring optometrists maintain competency through high-quality, unbiased continuing education.

Standards for Substantive Equivalency

According to the ACCME, accreditors may obtain substantive equivalency if their CE/CME systems:

Enhance physician (or practitioner) performance
Are based on data describing learners’ educational needs
Assess effectiveness related to performance or health outcomes
Are developed independent of commercial influence

COPE’s reaffirmation signals its continued commitment to supporting high standards in optometric education and ensuring alignment with broader health care accreditation practices.

Click HERE for the press release.

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September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

Ontario to Build Canada’s First Dedicated Goalball Court

Press release communiqué de presse image

The Ontario government has announced a $3.2 million investment to support two community projects, including the construction of Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Lake Joseph Centre in Muskoka.

The investment is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), designed to revitalize local facilities, grow the economy, and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.

A Permanent Home for Goalball

With Ontario’s support, CNIB will build a new multi-purpose facility at Lake Joe, featuring a dedicated goalball court with specialized flooring and acoustic sound panels designed for athletes who are blind or have low vision. The facility will also include an accessible fitness centre and a teaching kitchen, expanding programming opportunities for individuals and families living with sight loss.

The centre will serve local, regional, and national goalball teams, providing a permanent home for training and competition. Once completed, it will also host a variety of adaptive sports and community programs to ensure inclusive recreational opportunities.

“Accessible sport changes lives. It builds confidence, fosters independence, and creates a sense of belonging,” said Angela Bonfanti, President & CEO of CNIB. “This investment will help CNIB Lake Joe expand its seasons and programs and create a lasting legacy of inclusion for generations to come.”

Supporting Métis Youth and Culture

In addition to the CNIB project, the province is also investing over $230,000 to upgrade the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls. Enhancements will include improved amenities and accessibility, transforming the facility into a hub for children’s community events, sports, and cultural programming.

“Being on the land and water is at the heart of Métis culture,” said Sharon Cadeau, Interim Chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario. “Through CSRIF, we’re creating an accessible waterfront so that more Métis children, families, and Elders can gather in safety, dignity, and belonging.”

Voices from the Community

The announcement has been welcomed by athletes and organizations across Ontario’s parasport community:

Amy Burk, Captain of the Canadian Women’s Goalball Team: “Goalball is such a unique sport… I wish I had access to something as significant as this when I first became involved in the sport.”
James Murphy, Executive Director, Parasport Ontario: “This is a huge win for parasport athletes to have a world-class facility to practice, train, and host competitions.”
Randa Gohary, Ontario Blind Sports Association: “This facility will allow OBSA to expand programs and introduce goalball to more participants in a safe, accessible environment.”

Investing in Inclusive Sport

According to the province, sport contributes over $7.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs. By funding projects like CNIB Lake Joe’s goalball facility and the Métis Nation camp upgrades, the government aims to create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Source: Government of Ontario

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September 18, 2025September 16, 2025

The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Celebrates Providing Clear Vision to 5 Million Wearers in North America

The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has reached a notable milestone in North America, improving the lives of 5 million people by equipping them with glasses since the launch of the Foundation’s efforts to eliminate uncorrected poor vision.

This impact has been made possible through both the Foundation’s direct programming, which includes charitable clinics that provide immediate, short-term relief of urgent vision care needs for under-resourced communities, and indirect programming, which encompasses Foundation-supported partnership programs that expand vision care access.

OneSight EssilorLuxottica 5 Million Milestone

The Foundation released an announcement video to bring the number 5 million into context, which is enough to provide over 80,000 school buses worth of people the gift of clear vision. It also emphasizes the point that the 5 million milestone isn’t one story – it’s 5 million unique lives that have been touched through the gift of clear sight. The video can be viewed here:

“Every person we can provide clear sight to is another step towards our larger goal of eradicating poor vision in a generation,” said Becky Palm, Executive Director of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, North America. “This impact would not be possible without our incredible partners, from volunteers to donors and other non-profits, and we sincerely thank them for their support and commitment to our mission. We’re particularly grateful to the broader EssilorLuxottica family, with special recognition to its Professional Solutions division for connecting us with independent eyecare providers and ensuring our programming is strong across the entire region and to its retail banners for driving critical fundraising at checkout that allows our work to thrive and expand.”

EssilorLuxottica has been instrumental in making the Foundation’s work possible, donating product essential to providing clear sight to the five million lives served. This product goes directly to the Foundation’s clinics or it is provided to partnering non-profits and ECP’s who are charitable in their communities.

To learn more about the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and how to support its work, visit www.onesight.essilorluxottica.com.

Source : OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

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September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Vision Expo West 2025 Puts Tech Leaders and Startups in the Spotlight

Vision Expo West, the premier event for the global vision care and eyewear industry, returns September 17–20, 2025, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. With more than 300 leading brands and companies, Vision Expo West will showcase the latest technologies, product launches, and design excellence across four key areas – Eyewear, Eyecare, Independent Design, and Tech & Innovation – placing innovation at the center of the global eyecare conversation.

This year’s show places technology and innovation firmly in the spotlight with an expanded Tech & Innovation area featuring the latest diagnostic devices, treatment tools, software platforms, and retail technologies redefining patient care and business operations. At the heart of this section, the new LaunchPad will showcase more than 25 startups unveiling next-generation solutions in AI, VR, AR, and diagnostics.

LaunchPad will host the six finalists of the 2025 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, chosen from a global pool of applicants and advanced through a four-week accelerator with MATTER, the healthcare incubator. These startups are developing solutions such as AI-driven decision support for early disease detection, AR glasses to restore functional sight, and VR-based vision therapy. Finalists will pitch live on the Main Stage, Thursday, September 18, at 4 p.m. The winners will be announced onsite, with one early-stage company earning a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s THINC Ventures.

“As these technologies move toward market, Vision Expo serves as the definitive platform for the global vision community to connect, collaborate and chart the future of eyecare, exploring breakthroughs from AI-powered diagnostics and smart lenses to robotic and laser-assisted surgical tools, regenerative therapies, pharmacological innovations, and wearable vision technologies,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “This year’s show floor, activations, and Main Stage programming are designed to showcase technology and spark industry dialogue.”

Technology Programming and Highlights

Indie Lab Speakeasy

Sponsored by GSRX, the Indie Lab Speakeasy will bring together members of the independent laboratory community to collaborate, exchange insights, and educate the broader industry. Participating labs include Artisan Lab Network, Ocean State Optical, Sportifeye Optics, Rxotulsa, GSRX, Encore Optical Lab, Simplify Optics, Schroeder Optical Laboratory, and Independent Vision.

OptiCon Expert Panel: Vision Forward – Innovations and Insights in Opticianry

Hosted by the United Opticians Association (UOA)

Main Stage | Friday, September 19 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

This forward-looking panel will feature leading optical professionals discussing the future of opticianry, from transformative technologies to emerging industry trends.

Visit the schedule of events for more technology focused sessions and programming.

Exhibit Hall Highlights

In addition to technology launches, the show floor will showcase a wide range of leading brands and designers from every sector of the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover new products, connect with global leaders and experience innovations firsthand across the following exhibit hall areas:

Eyewear Leaders: EssilorLuxottica, Kering Eyewear, VSP Vision, Tura, Europa Eyewear, WestGroupe, Zyloware, MODO Eyewear, Design Eyewear Group, Quay, Safilo, OGI Eyewear, Marcolin, Studio Optyx, Aspex Eyewear, and more.
Eyecare Innovators: Carl Zeiss Vision and Meditec, Bausch + Lomb, Topcon Healthcare, Advancing Eyecare, Hoya Vision Care, US Ophthalmic, Cherry Optical Lab, Johnson & Johnson Vision, AbbVie, Alcon, CooperVision, Altris AI, Scope/Optalase, and others.
Independent Designers: Kio Yamato, Caroline Abram/Talla Eyewear, l’Unique Optique, Poets Eyewear, Tom Davies, and more.
Tech & Innovation: LaunchPad startups, hands-on product demonstrations, and industry-first solutions transforming care delivery and practice management.

Visit the exhibitor list here.

Tools to Elevate the Attendee Experience

The new Vision Expo Connect mobile app, powered by Brella, makes it easier than ever to navigate the show, offering AI-powered matchmaking, appointment scheduling and a complete exhibitor directory. Attendees can build digital connections through Colleqt, the modern alternative to business cards, by scanning QR codes at booths to access information and receive personalized daily summaries. Floor decals throughout the hall will help attendees connect with exhibitors seamlessly.

To make the most of the Vision Expo West experience, explore exhibitors, events, course lists and more by visiting: https://west.visionexpo.com/.

Source: Vision Expo

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