Blog - Page 4 of 889

October 7, 2026October 7, 2026

Students of Vision Challenges Future Eye Care Professionals to Reimagine Light Management

Transitions Students of Vision 2026 - EN

The Students of Vision Scholarship Program, presented by Transitions® Optical in collaboration with the Opticians Association of Canada, invites opticians, optometry and optometric assistant students across Canada to tackle an important industry challenge: helping young adults better understand the impact of light on their daily lives.

This year’s program challenges students to develop a creative idea, campaign or educational initiative that inspires consumers ages 18 to 40 to think differently about light and its role in visual comfort, performance and everyday experiences. As digital screens, artificial lighting, bright sunlight and nighttime glare increasingly shape modern life, participants are encouraged to explore innovative ways to make light management relevant and accessible to a new generation.

Entries may be submitted as an essay, presentation, or video and will be evaluated on creativity, presentation, strategic thinking and ethics. The top three submissions will receive scholarships valued at $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 CAD, along with a pair of Ray-Ban® Meta or Oakley Meta glasses with Transitions® lenses.

Applicants must be enrolled in the 2026-2027 academic year or registered for the upcoming 2027 school year. Submissions are due November 30, 2026, and winners will be announced in January 2027

For complete program details and submission requirements, interested students can visit the Students of Vision program website [Canada PRO – Students of Vision Scholarship] or contact StudentsofVision@Transitions.com.

Source: Transitions Optical

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

October 6, 2026October 5, 2026

New Research Finds Most Adults with Eye Strain Symptoms Skip Professional Care

A new report from The Vision Council reveals that while symptoms of dry eye and digital eye strain are widespread among U.S. adults, many do not understand their cause—and most never seek professional help. Focused inSights 2026: Dry Eye and Digital Eye Strain is based on a national survey of 1,089 adults, offering a detailed look at how patients perceive and manage screen‑related discomfort.

According to the findings, 78% of respondents experienced eye fatigue after screen use at least once in the past three months. Awareness remains low: 63% have never heard of digital eye strain or know only the term, and half say the same of dry eye disease. Despite these symptoms, 39% have never discussed them with a healthcare professional.

When patients do seek help, eyecare providers play a central role. Respondents identified eye doctors as their top source of information for managing symptoms (40%), and a recommendation from an eyecare provider is the most influential factor when choosing products to treat discomfort (38%).

“Most people in our survey recognize the symptoms of dry eye and digital eye strain, but many don’t know what’s causing them or that an eyecare provider can help,” said Kris Stevens, Vice President of Research at The Vision Council. “Patients already trust their eye doctor more than any other source. The data suggest the most important step is simply starting the conversation during exams that are already happening.”

Access the Report at Academy 2026 Anaheim

The Vision Council will share the report with attendees at Academy 2026 Anaheim, which took place Sept. 30–Oct. 3 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Eyecare professionals who join The Vision Council’s eyecare provider research panel will receive free access to the full report, valued at $3,000. Panel members contribute insights through periodic surveys that help shape industry research.

Free Resources for Eyecare Providers

During Academy 2026, attendees can also explore free, customizable educational toolkits from The Vision Council and The Vision Council Foundation, including:

Life in Focus kits for patient education
See What Matters campaign materials
Monthly social media calendars
Seasonal toolkits for National Sunglasses Day, Healthy Vision Month, UV awareness and back‑to‑school eye exams

All resources are available online.

Source: The Vision Council

Want to see more like this article?

Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e‑newsletters!

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Applications Open for MIDO AWARDS 2027

MIDO has officially opened applications for the MIDO AWARDS 2027, recognizing companies, products and optical retailers that demonstrate excellence in innovation, sustainability and industry leadership. Applications and full regulations are available in the Awards section of mido.com.

Three award programs are now accepting submissions:

CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear (deadline: January 8, 2027)
CSE Corporate Award (deadline: January 8, 2027)
Best Store Award (deadline: December 31, 2026)

CSE Award: sustainability in product design

Now in its fifth edition, the CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear, promoted by MIDO with ANFAO and Certottica, honours companies developing eyewear products aligned with sustainability criteria. The award evaluates frames, sunglasses and cases designed using eco‑friendly solutions, including recycled materials, reduced energy consumption, supply‑chain enhancement and waste reduction throughout production.

CSE Corporate Award: sustainability as a business strategy

Exhibiting companies at MIDO 2027 may apply for the second edition of the CSE Corporate Award, which recognizes organizations integrating ESG principles into their operations. The award assesses sustainability across production processes, management practices, material choices and business models.

Best Store Award: innovation in optical retail

The 12th edition of the Best Store Award celebrates optical retailers worldwide that elevate the in‑store experience through design and innovation. A jury of experts in retail, design and communication will evaluate layout, atmosphere, materials, customer experience, digital communication and service offerings.

Awards ceremony at MIDO 2027

Winners of the MIDO AWARDS 2027 will be announced during an official ceremony held at MIDO, February 6–8, 2027, at Fiera Milano Rho. MIDO will also host the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award ceremony, dedicated to creativity and innovation in eyewear design.

Applications for this award remain open until 30 November at: https://optyx.com/sergio-cereda-award-application/.

Source: MIDO

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Four Miles to Clear Vision

The distance between Kevin’s world before and after his appointment at an Optometry Giving Sight funded project is four miles. It’s also, in every way that matters, immeasurable.

Case Study: Every Dimension of Kevin’s Daily Life Improved

Kevin rode his e-bike four miles to reach one of Healing California‘s free Pop-Up Vision Clinics, part-funded by Optometry Giving Sight, and that single journey changed the way he sees the world. For years, Kevin had been unable to afford proper eyeglasses. He relied on cheap pairs from the dollar store, glasses that broke easily and never adequately addressed his vision needs. What Kevin actually needed were bifocals, lenses that would allow him to see clearly both up close and at a distance, but that level of care had always been financially out of reach.

At Healing California’s clinic, Kevin received a comprehensive vision exam and was fitted with prescription bifocals at no cost. For the first time in his adult life, he has glasses that are built for him, durable, accurate, and life changing. The impact extends well beyond comfort. Clear vision affects every dimension of daily life: the ability to read, to work, to navigate the world safely, and to engage fully with the people and environment around him. Kevin’s willingness to ride four miles on an e-bike to access care speaks to both the depth of the need and the trust communities place in Healing California to show up and deliver.

Source: Optometry Giving Sight

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Optometry Giving Sight Provides Nearly $1M in Global Program Funding

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) announces the recipients of its 2026 grant cycle, awarding nearly $1 million to 20 organizations working to bring sustainable primary eye care to communities around the world. From optometry schools in Somaliland and Cambodia to school eye health programs in Uganda and Jordan, this year’s grants represent some of the most thoughtfully designed, sustainability-minded projects in OGS’s recent history.

“Every grant we award is a commitment—not just to the organization receiving it, but also to the communities that will be served by its work,” said Donna J. Mikulecky, Executive Director of Optometry Giving Sight. “The 2026 cohort reflects the full breadth of what optometry-led primary eye care can be: training the next generation of eye care professionals, building the infrastructure to serve patients today, and laying the groundwork for care that will outlast any single funding cycle. We’re proud to stand behind each of these organizations.”

The 2026 grant recipients are:

● Adal Medical University (Somaliland)

Building Sustainable Optometry Education, Clinic and Pediatric Eye Care in Somaliland

● Berkeley Vision (Pakistan)

Every Child Sees: One School at a Time — Advancing Child Eye Health and Vision Care in Schools

● Brien Holden Foundation (Vietnam)

Enhancing Access to and Quality of Paediatric Refractive Services in Vietnam Through the Paediatric Refractive Error Training Centre at Hanoi Medical University (HMU)

● Canadian Vision Care (Jamaica)

Jamaican Rural Clinics

● Charis Vision & Health Mission (Nigeria)

The Optometry Education Project

● Etuaptmumk Eye Care: Wabano Eye Clinic (Canada)

Serving the Eye Care Needs of the Indigenous Peoples of Eastern Ontario

● Eye Health Africa (Uganda)

A Service-Learning Model for Optometry Training and Primary School Vision Screening Among Refugee Children in Northern Uganda

● Eye Spy Foundation (USA)

Eye Spy Jacksonville: Optometry-Supported Navigation & Community Hub

● International Eye Health and Vision Association (Jordan)

Strengthening School Eye Health Through Optometry-Led Services in Jordan

● Mission for Vision (India)

Continuation of 2025 Vision Centre Project, Uttar Pradesh

● OPTOGLOBE — The Global Optometry Student Community (Global)

Equipping the Future: A Support Program for Undergraduate Optometry Students Worldwide

● Optometry Unit, University of the West Indies (Trinidad & Tobago)

A Sustainable Keratoconus & Myopia Control Specialty Clinic

● Queen’s University Belfast (Kenya)

Strengthening Optometry Completion-Based Practicum Model via Academic Vision Centre to Deliver Equitable School & Community Eye Care in Kaimosi, Kenya

● See Better. Learn Better, Ltd. (Jamaica)

Comprehensive and sustainable eye care for school children in Jamaica.

● Special Olympics International (USA & Ghana)

Enhancing Vision Care Services and Training for People with Intellectual Disabilities

● Stichting Eye Care Foundation (Cambodia)

Establishment of the Bachelor of Optometry Program in Cambodia

● Université de Montréal (UdeM) / Unité de santé internationale (Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Mali, Lebanon, Vietnam)

Optometry School Development in La Francophonie (OGS-UM Franco-Opto-Hub)

● Université de Montréal (UdeM) / Unité de santé internationale (Haiti)

Haiti Optometry School Development – Creation and Strengthening of Academic Continuity at the Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH) in Port-au-Prince

● University of Cape Coast, School of Optometry and Vision Science (Ghana)

The Optometric Service and Community Outreach for Practical Experience (Opto-SCOPE)

● VOSH California (Nicaragua)

Nicaraguan Rural Clinic Development Project

● World Council of Optometry (Global)

Looking Towards the Future: Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL) For more information about OGS’s grant program and the 2026 recipients, visit givingsight.org.

Source: Optometry Giving Sight

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!