Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) announces that CooperVision, Inc. and Dr. Greg Pearl, OD, have been selected as the recipients of its first-ever Brien Holden Founders Awards. These prestigious honors, established in memory of Professor Brien Holden, PhD, the late founder of OGS, celebrate those who have made remarkable, impactful contributions to advancing global vision care. The awards will be presented at the inaugural Brien Holden Founders Award Dinner on October 7 in Boston, MA, preceding the American Academy of Optometry’s 2025 Annual Meeting.

“Brien was a visionary leader, deeply committed to raising awareness about and addressing Uncorrected Refractive Error (URE) worldwide,” said OGS U.S. Board Chair, Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon. “His unwavering advocacy helped establish optometry services in underserved communities, ensuring that access to quality eye care became a global priority—both now and for generations to come.”

OGS Canada Board Chair, Dr. Susan Cooper, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Holden’s profound influence: “Brien possessed an indomitable spirit and a deep passion for improving lives through vision care. His steadfast commitment to global eye health was evident throughout his life.”

“In his honor, we created these awards to recognize organizations and individuals whose dedication to Optometry Giving Sight and the advancement of vision care worldwide has been truly exemplary,” added Dr. Cooper.

“CooperVision is deeply honored to receive this inaugural award honoring Dr. Holden’s life and legacy”, says Jerry Warner, President of CooperVision, Inc. ”Brien understood the innate power of uniting like-minded people and organizations around work that truly changes lives. We are proud to be a part of that work. “

“CooperVision and Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) are natural partners,” he adds, “ensuring vision care is available, accessible, and that preventive and corrective solutions are always at hand. Together, we offer people hope, independence, and the possibility of a fuller, richer life. We’re grateful to join OGS on this journey that Brien started and look forward to all that yet lies ahead.”

For Dr. Greg Pearl, receiving the award in Dr. Holden’s name is “truly a humbling honor. Brien has inspired my humanitarian efforts since I met him. Not only did he develop the silicone-hydrogel contact lens materials which we all use today, but he selflessly invested his profits from those lenses to establish the first optometry colleges in a dozen African countries.”

“As the first optometrist on the Board of Directors of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, his research demonstrated the global need for optometric services to the World Health Organization. He established OGS so that we may continue supporting the development of optometry in the world’s poorest countries. His humanitarian spirit continues to inspire all of us.”

Since its founding, OGS has awarded more than 200 grants supporting the establishment of 14 optometry schools,  more than 130 vision centers, and the training of over 14,000 optometry professionals. Programs partially funded by OGS have served more than 8 million people in 47 countries.

More information about dinner sponsorships, individual tickets, and memorial donations can be found here. 

Click HERE for the press release.

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