EssilorLuxottica and Meta have announced the launch of Meta Glasses, a new collection of AI-enabled eyewear designed to make smart glasses more accessible to a broader consumer audience.
The new collection builds on the companies’ existing portfolio of smart eyewear, which includes Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta and Meta Ray-Ban Display. Earlier this year, the companies also introduced Ray-Ban Meta Optics, with styles optimized for prescription use and all-day comfort.
With the new Meta Glasses collection, EssilorLuxottica and Meta are aiming to reach more consumers, including those looking for a more attainable entry point into wearable technology. According to the announcement, the new company-branded collection will start at $299.
“We’re incredibly proud of our first-to-market innovation in the smart eyewear space and our ability to deliver consumers around the world richer, more connected experiences. While our iconic brands continue to be a leading driver of adoption in the market, we see an opportunity to drive access to broader audiences through this company branded collection. More price-sensitive consumers will have an opportunity to experience the power that wearables bring into their everyday lives,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, said the partnership is focused on bringing AI functionality into eyewear that people want to wear. “I believe glasses are going to be a main way people access personal superintelligence — and with Meta Glasses, we’re going to make that accessible to a lot more people,” he said.
The new collection will include three Rx-able styles in rectangle, square and oval shapes, with multiple lens options including clear, sun and Transitions lenses.
Meta Glasses are available on Meta.com in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Spain and other European countries. They will also be available through leading optical retailers, including LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut in the U.S., with additional markets and retailers expected to be added later this year.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to rapidly transform myopia management, offering new capabilities for predicting progression, personalizing treatment, and improving clinical decision-making. The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has dedicated Issue 90 of Contact Lens Update to the topic, focusing on the challenges, opportunities and paths forward. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
“AI is not a substitute for clinicians, but it can augment their clinical reasoning. For myopia management, systems can already help synthesize complex scientific evidence, project progression, and support personalized treatment decisions. This issue provides practitioners with a practical understanding of how AI can be integrated into daily care to improve outcomes for young myopic patients,” said Daddi Fadel, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Waterloo and a consultant for CORE.
Jeffrey J. Walline, a distinguished professor and associate dean at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, writes the issue’s opening editorial. He argues that while AI predicts average myopia progression in groups reasonably well, it remains poor at forecasting individual progression. He concludes that truly transformative AI for personalized myopia care does not yet exist, though it will likely emerge within our professional lifetime.
Nicola Logan, professor of Optometry and associate dean for Research & Enterprise at Aston University, UK, provides the feature article that analyzes AI in myopia research, finding that use is growing rapidly yet remains focused on screening and prediction rather than treatment decisions. She concludes that meaningful clinical transformation will require more international data sharing, multi-ethnic studies, and integrated decision-support systems.
In the clinical insight, CORE provides practitioners with practical summaries of the seven International Myopia Institute (IMI) reports, accompanied by clinically relevant infographics. These resources translate the latest evidence into actionable guidance for myopia management, supporting clinicians in risk assessment, treatment selection, and patient communication.
The conference highlight from clinician and professional educator Epifanio Ruiz Campos of OPTOacademy examines how artificial intelligence can support clinical decision-making in myopia management. OPTOMYOPIA, an AI-powered augmented intelligence platform, integrates peer-reviewed literature and patient-specific data to synthesize complex evidence, supporting risk stratification and personalized treatment while demonstrating that AI should augment rather than replace clinicians.
Contact Lens Update Issue 90 Authors (clockwise from top left): Daddi Fadel, Nicola Logan, Epifanio Ruiz Campos, and Jeffrey Walline
Specsavers Canada is marking five years of growth with a significant new milestone: a national partnership with PC Optimum™, one of Canada’s largest and most widely used loyalty programs, with more than 18 million members nationwide.
PC Optimum™ members can now earn 10 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at every Specsavers location nationwide. Whether shopping for prescription eyewear, contact lenses, sunglasses or accessories, members accumulate points simply by scanning their PC Optimum™ App or PC Optimum™ card at the time of purchase.
At a time when Canadians are feeling increased pressure on their wallets, the partnership makes it easier for Canadians to see value in routine eyecare spending. The collaboration with PC Optimum™ signals the brand’s commitment to Canadians, building on Specsavers relationship with Loblaw Companies Limited, which saw 111 Specsavers locations open within Loblaw stores across Canada in 2025.
“As one of Canada’s strongest loyalty reward programs, PC Optimum™ was a compelling strategic choice,” said Jane Hoban, Managing Director, Specsavers Canada. “Over the past five years we have built strong momentum and as we continue to grow, our focus remains on making quality eyewear and eyecare more accessible and more rewarding for every community we serve across this country.”
“People expect their loyalty programs to show up across more of the moments that matter to them,” said Lauren Steinberg, Chief Digital Officer, Loblaw Companies Limited. “With Specsavers joining PC Optimum™, members can now earn points on eligible eyewear and accessories purchases, making it even easier to be rewarded for everyday spending.”
Members can earn points alongside existing Specsavers offers and promotions, with additional bonus opportunities available through the PC Optimum™ App. Eligible purchases include glasses, lenses, contact lenses and accessories at all Specsavers locations across the country. To learn more visit Specsavers.ca
Specsavers Canada announced a landmark national partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays™, naming Specsavers as an official partner of Canada’s baseball team. This multi-year agreement reflects Specsavers’ commitment to making high-quality eyewear and eyecare accessible to more Canadians.
The Blue Jays have built a franchise worthy of the whole country – not just one city. Specsavers has spent five years doing the same for eyecare, growing from its first B.C. locations to more than 270 stores across nine provinces and one territory, with the goal of making quality eyecare and eyewear accessible for Canadians.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are more than a baseball team, they are a unifying force for Canadians from Victoria to St. John’s,” said Derek Fukui, Head of Marketing, Specsavers Canada. “We’ve spent five years showing up for communities across this country, and this partnership gives us a chance to do that on the biggest stage Canadian sports has to offer. I can’t wait to see what we build together.”
The Toronto Blue Jays boast the largest fan base in Canadian professional sports, with more than 15 million fans nationwide. Home games draw nearly one million average viewers on Rogers Sportsnet, making the Blue Jays the top broadcast sports property in Canada through the summer months. Coming off a historic World Series run that captured the attention of fans in every province and territory, the Blue Jays head into the 2026 season as one of the most talked-about franchises in the country.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are proud to welcome Specsavers as an official partner,” said Mark Ditmars, Vice President of Partnerships for the Toronto Blue Jays. “As Canada’s team, we are focused on working with brands that deliver real value to fans across the country, and Specsavers’ commitment to make high-quality eyewear and eyecare accessible makes them a natural fit. Together, we look forward to helping more Canadians show up at their best, both on and off the field.”
The partnership includes Specsavers as the Blue Jays presenting sponsor of the Strike Zone Challenge, based on the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System – a new feature making its Major League Baseball debut this season. The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system allows players to challenge a home-plate umpire’s ball or strike calls: by tapping their cap or helmet, a batter, pitcher or catcher can trigger an instant review, with results displayed on the Rogers Centre videoboard and integrated into Sportsnet’s broadcast. The system adds a compelling new layer of strategy to the sport – and is a natural fit for a brand whose goal is to help more Canadians see the game clearly.
Optometry has evolved from paper files to digital records, from phone calls to virtual communication, and in the future, perhaps even to robots (bots) assisting humans. Every day, innovation takes on a new dimension as artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated into electronic medical record (EMR) systems. The future of communication and diagnostics in eye care remains uncertain: will AI replace parts of what we do, or simply help us work more efficiently, more accurately, and at lower cost while improving the patient experience?
1: AI Reduces Office Time, Improves Documentation, and Enhances the Patient Experience
AI can capture the doctor–patient conversation and generate clinical notes automatically. Unlike basic dictation tools, more advanced systems can organize information into the appropriate sections such as chief complaint, history, exam findings, assessment, and plan.
AI can also support tasks such as:
Billing and coding support
Documenting diagnostic impressions and recommended next steps
Used well, these tools can improve the patient–doctor experience. The clinician can stay more present with the patient, while reducing clerical workload and documentation interruptions. This can also help reduce clinician burnout by making charting more seamless and efficient at the point of care, reducing the need for after-hours documentation.
2: Integrating AI and EMR
When AI outputs can be structured and integrated into an optometry EMR, the system can help identify patterns and automate repetitive, but necessary, tasks. Depending on the platform and workflow, AI-enabled EMR integration may support:
Prescriptions and documentation support
Referrals and communication templates
Treatment plan tracking and management
Patient education materials based on clinical findings
Interpretation support and clinical prompts
Revenue cycle support
Analytics and reporting
With thoughtful integration, the EMR can begin to function less like a passive record and more like an active clinical assistant.
3: AI Imaging as Clinical Support
OCT, fundus photography, corneal topography, and visual field data can be analyzed using AI models trained on large datasets. Applications may include:
Diabetic retinopathy screening
Glaucoma risk and progression monitoring
AMD risk stratification and progression tracking
Corneal irregularity detection
Automated comparison of serial scans
AI-powered support tools may also combine imaging with clinical measurements such as intraocular pressure, pachymetry, and refraction. These tools are not a replacement for clinical judgment, but they can add a layer of insight and help flag subtle changes that are easy to miss in busy practice.
4: AI’s Impact on Practice Management
Administrative inefficiencies are a major source of stress and cost in many practices. AI-enabled systems can assist with:
Insurance claim submission, verification, and follow-up
Coding support, rejection handling, and resubmissions
Appointment scheduling, reminders, and recall workflows
By reducing errors and repetitive front-desk work, AI can free staff to focus on higher-value patient service and practice operations; helping reduce administrative burden and improve consistency.
5: Patient Communication
AI can improve patient understanding and satisfaction by:
Providing personalized summaries of findings
Explaining recommendations and outcomes in plain language
Generating visuals or simplified graphics that help patients understand their results
Supporting appointment booking and capturing patient concerns ahead of visits
Providing relevant pre-visit or post-visit information for recommended procedures
Practice bonus: when patients are better informed, they are often more confident and more compliant, leading to smoother visits, fewer misunderstandings, and a stronger overall experience for patients, staff, and clinicians.
6: Standardization Through AI and EMR Connectivity
A major advantage of AI is its potential to integrate with EMR systems more seamlessly than older workflows. Historically, many EMRs operated in silos, requiring manual entry and increasing the risk of transcription errors.
With tighter device-to-EMR integration, key data, such as refractions, visual acuities, intraocular pressure measurements, and imaging results, can populate charts automatically. This reduces redundancy, improves accuracy, and supports standardization across the clinical team.
7: The Advantage of an AI-Enhanced Practice
When documentation, scheduling, coding, and routine analysis are partially automated, optometrists gain time to do what matters most: be human. That means having more capacity to educate, reassure, and build trust without sacrificing the operational demands of modern practice.
The future of optometry will be shaped by clinicians who use AI strategically to enhance care, reduce burnout, and elevate the patient experience. Practices that adopt AI, and integrate it effectively into their EMR, will be better positioned to improve efficiency, strengthen resilience, and pursue clinical excellence in the face of tomorrow’s practice challenges.
About the Author:
Dr. Diana M. Monea, OD, FAAO, MHRM
Dr. Diana M. Monea is an award-winning optometrist, author, and keynote speaker with more than four decades of leadership in clinical practice, business ownership, and professional education. Founder and former CEO of Eye Health Centres, she now focuses on consulting, mentorship, patient care, and public speaking.
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Innovative Eyewear has announced a rollout of Lucyd Armor smart safety eyewear through FYihealth group’s FYidoctors and Visique clinics, with initial placement expected in Q3 2026.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is encouraging Canadians to protect their eyes from harmful UV exposure this summer, warning that cumulative UV damage can increase the risk of cataracts, photokeratitis and other serious eye conditions.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Innovative Eyewear has announced a rollout of Lucyd Armor smart safety eyewear through FYihealth group’s FYidoctors and Visique clinics, with initial placement expected in Q3 2026.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is encouraging Canadians to protect their eyes from harmful UV exposure this summer, warning that cumulative UV damage can increase the risk of cataracts, photokeratitis and other serious eye conditions.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Innovative Eyewear has announced a rollout of Lucyd Armor smart safety eyewear through FYihealth group’s FYidoctors and Visique clinics, with initial placement expected in Q3 2026.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is encouraging Canadians to protect their eyes from harmful UV exposure this summer, warning that cumulative UV damage can increase the risk of cataracts, photokeratitis and other serious eye conditions.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Innovative Eyewear has announced a rollout of Lucyd Armor smart safety eyewear through FYihealth group’s FYidoctors and Visique clinics, with initial placement expected in Q3 2026.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is encouraging Canadians to protect their eyes from harmful UV exposure this summer, warning that cumulative UV damage can increase the risk of cataracts, photokeratitis and other serious eye conditions.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
