Vision Expo Expands the NOW Awards to Celebrate Global Eyewear Innovation Beyond the Show Floor

Vision Expo, organized by The Vision Council and RX, proudly announces the 4th installment of the NOW Awards. Presented in partnership with the Accessories Council, this year’s Awards are expanding beyond the Vision Expo show floor and invites all members of the global eyewear community to participate in this celebration of innovation, artistry, and storytelling. Exhibition at Vision Expo is not required.

This exciting development reflects Vision Expo’s commitment to fostering creativity and connection across every corner of the eyewear world. From established houses to independent designers making their U.S. debut, the NOW Awards provide a unified platform to showcase visionary design and innovation that defines what’s next in eyewear.

A Global Stage for Design Excellence

A judging committee of influential leaders across design, retail, education and fashion will evaluate submissions. The 2026 NOW Awards judges include Gary Black, founder of Black Optical; Christian Roth and Eric Domege of Christian Roth Eyewear and the CFDA; Selima Salaun, designer and owner of Selima Optique; Victor Sanz, creative director of TUMI; Bob Schulze, owner of Globe Design and Vision; Dr. Jennifer Tsai of Line of Sight; and Jeneene Allen, founder and fashion educator at ASGNMT.

“The idea behind NOW has always been to create a space where creativity leads,” said Nico Roseillier, Creator and Director of NOW by Vision Expo. “By opening the NOW Awards to the entire industry, we’re giving every designer, no matter where they are, the chance to showcase their work in a deeply meaningful way. This is about celebrating the global language of design.”

Award Categories

The NOW Awards recognize excellence across multiple categories celebrating both established and emerging talent. Entries will be evaluated across the following categories.

Categories include:

Best Sunglass (Independent & Branded)

Best Optical (Independent & Branded)

Best Direct to Consumer

Optical Achievement

Best Emerging Brand

Ultimate Accessory, presented by the Accessories Council

Call for Submissions

Submissions for the 2026 NOW Awards are now open here, and designers, brands, and creators from around the world are encouraged to enter. Entries will close on February 9 and product must be received by February 16.

Vision Expo 2026: The Premiere Hub for Eyewear and Eyecare Innovation

Vision Expo 2026 will take place March 11–14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event remains the premier destination for the global vision community to connect, discover, and be inspired by the latest trends, technology, and education in eyecare and eyewear.

Source: Vision Expo

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November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

Optometry Giving Sight Names Tony Sommer to Board of Directors

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) announces the appointment of Tony Sommer to its Board of Directors, bringing with him extensive leadership experience in specialty vision care, medical technology, and organizational growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Tony to the team,” says OGS U.S. Board President, Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón.

“He brings more than two decades of leadership in specialty vision care and medical technology to our work, combining commercial acumen with a purpose-driven approach to innovation. He is a wonderful addition to the Board. I look forward to working with Tony in this new role.”

Most recently, Sommer served as General Manager, Americas, for CooperVision and CooperVision Specialty EyeCare, where he led growth across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America—helping advance myopia management and specialty lens adoption among practitioners and patients alike.

Before entering the eye care industry, Sommer served as a U.S. Air Force officer and combat veteran, deploying in support of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. His time in uniform shaped his leadership philosophy—mission-driven, team-first, and focused on outcomes that matter.

Sommer joins an already distinguished Optometry Giving Sight Board, which includes Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, Dr. Susan Cooper, Dr. Luigi Bilotto, Dr. John Flanagan, Dr. Millicent Knight, Dr. Paul Karpecki, Dr. Susy Yu, Dr. Meng Xu, and Dan McBride.

Click HERE for the press release.

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November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

Registration Now Open for Vision Expo 2026

Co-owned by RX and The Vision Council, Vision Expo brings together every segment of the vision industry, from eyewear designers and manufacturers to eyecare professionals, technology innovators, and business leaders.

In 2026, Vision Expo marks its 40th year, celebrating four decades of industry collaboration, education, and discovery. This milestone edition also represents a major shift: Vision Expo will move to a single annual event, designed to offer greater value, more robust programming, and expanded opportunities for learning and networking.

Vision Expo 2026 will take place March 11–14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with the exhibit hall opening on March 12.

“Vision Expo’s evolution into a single annual event allows us to create an even more impactful and dynamic experience for all segments of the optical industry,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “As we celebrate 40 years of Vision Expo, we’re also looking forward to expanding educational programming, introducing new stages and experiences, and collaborating closely with industry partners to spotlight the trends and technologies shaping the future of eyewear and eyecare.”

New Show Features and Content Stages

Vision Expo 2026 will introduce three new content stages, each dedicated to a core area of industry innovation:

• NOW Stage
Located in the eyewear zone, featuring the NOW Awards display, design panels, colour and fashion trend sessions, the Flaunt the Frame fashion show, and the NOW Awards ceremony.

• Innovation Stage
Set in the eyecare technology area, highlighting advancements in medical tech, diagnostics, AI, and the return of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge Awards and pitch competition.

• Vision Stage
A larger theatre space dedicated to CE, practice management, business insights, OptiCon programming, and industry summits.

Vision Expo also launched its “Call for NEW”, inviting brands and designers to debut their newest products, technologies, booth activations, and innovations. Submissions will be reviewed by the Vision Expo team, with selected entries receiving custom promotional visibility.
Exhibitors can submit directly through the Vision Expo website:
https://www.visionexpo.com

Education, Networking, and Industry Connection

More than 200 hours of accredited CE begin March 11, covering:

• Eyewear and frames
• Lens and optical technology
• Medical and diagnostic equipment
• Practice management
• Design and retail trends
• Digital health

Learn more about Vision Expo education here:
https://www.visionexpo.com/en-us/education.html

The event also features a full lineup of networking opportunities, receptions, and partner-led events celebrating the creativity and diversity of the optical community.

“At Vision Expo, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do,” Mills added. “We’re proud to partner with the Optical Women’s Association, Vision Monday, United Opticians Association, and Prevent Blindness, bringing together independent designers, retailers, practitioners, and global brands.”

A detailed schedule will be announced in the coming months.

Register for Vision Expo 2026

Source: Vision Expo

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November 13, 2025November 14, 2025

Bausch + Lomb Reports Nearly 700,000 Pounds of Eye Care Materials Recycled Through ONE by ONE Program

Bausch + Lomb Corporation has announced a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. Through its ONE by ONE Recycling Program, developed in partnership with TerraCycle®, the company has collected more than 691,000 pounds (over 114 million units) of used contact lenses, blister packs, lens cases, and eye care materials in the United States. That’s the equivalent of more than 2.2 million baseballs kept out of landfills and waterways.

“Each America Recycles Day, we celebrate the collective efforts of eye care professionals, patients, and consumers who are helping to properly discard and keep these materials out of the environment,” said Amy Butler, Vice President, Global Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, Bausch + Lomb. “Thanks to their commitment, the ONE by ONE Recycling program keeps growing and making a more meaningful impact every year.”

Reducing “Forgotten Waste Streams”

Traditional recycling programs don’t accept these small plastic materials due to their size and composition, meaning they often end up in landfills or water systems. In the U.S., it’s estimated that between six and ten metric tons of contact lenses enter wastewater each year, where they can pollute aquatic environments and affect the food chain.

The ONE by ONE Recycling Program helps mitigate this impact by ensuring these materials are collected and processed responsibly.

“It’s reassuring to know that the everyday eye health materials we use, from contact lenses to lens cases, are being properly recycled through the ONE by ONE Recycling Program,” said Dr. Kriti Bhagat, OD, FAAO. “For my patients and practice, it’s a simple but powerful way we can help make a difference.”

Supporting Vision Care Access

For every qualifying shipment of 10 pounds or more from a registered recycling program participant, Bausch + Lomb donates $1 per pound to Optometry Giving Sight, a global initiative focused on preventing blindness and visual impairment.

In Canada, the company’s Every Contact Counts program has collected more than 70,000 pounds (5.2 million units) of used lenses, blister packs, and foils since its 2019 launch.

Commitment to Sustainability

Bausch + Lomb continues to advance sustainable business practices through measurable environmental goals known as the “FEWW” metrics—Fuel, Energy, Water, and Waste. Each facility worldwide tracks and improves against these key metrics as part of the company’s mission to help people see better to live better.

Learn more about the ONE by ONE program and Bausch + Lomb’s environmental initiatives at www.bausch.com/impact.

Source: Bausch + Lomb

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November 13, 2025November 14, 2025

Jennie by 2BB: Geometric Elegance in Gold, Midnight & Rose Gold

Optik Voilàs November-December 2025- Centennial Optical 2BB Jennie

The Jennie is a new release from the Two Blind Brothers collection for Fall. Its flattering
geometric shape is now available in three trendy seasonal colours : Gold, Midnight, and
Rose Gold. For every frame sold, a donation is made to Fighting Blindness Canada.

Distributed by Centennial Optical: www.centennialoptical.com

About Centennial Optical

Centennial Optical is an independent, Canadian-owned company distributing ophthalmic frames and lenses, sunglasses, lab supplies, cases and accessories, nationally and internationally. Founded in 1967, Centennial sells optical goods and services to Eye Care Professionals (Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists), optical laboratories and optical retailers. Centennial is fully licensed by Health Canada to sell Class I and Class II medical devices. With corporate headquarters and central distribution located in Toronto, Centennial also has local customer service in Montreal and Vancouver.

Eyewear (Frames)

Centennial Optical began as a distributor of ophthalmic frames, selling its own exclusive brands. Today, in addition to being the Canadian distributor for several international designer brands of eyewear, such as Ann Taylor, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Ben Sherman, Champion, Christian Lacroix, FILA, Hackett, Jones New York, London Fog, Nicole Miller, Paradigm, Psycho Bunny, TLG and Vera Wang, Centennial works closely in developing and bringing to market Canadian fashion icons Alfred Sung, Roots and Beaver Canoe.

Lenses and Lab Supplies

Centennial is the Canadian wholesale distributor for Rodenstock and Kodak Lenses, plus other ophthalmic lenses from Signet Armorlite, Vision Ease, NuPolar and other lenses by Younger Optics, and lens products from a number of other manufacturers. Centennial’s house lens brands, CHOICE and Centoptic, offer customers an exceptional combination of performance and value in a wide selection of materials and treatments. Centennial is also pleased to offer a full range of lab supplies from 3M, BPI, DAC Vision and other suppliers.

Sunwear

Centennial is proud to distribute Serengeti, Bollé, and REVO Sunwear, both plano and Rx, to Canadian ECPs. As the maker of the world’s finest driving sunglass, Serengeti utilizes only the latest technologies and premium materials. Bollé constantly refines their trademark combination of fit, fashion and comfort, for high quality performance and protection. REVO sunglasses blend sleek design, tailored fit and legendary lens protection.

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Blog

Vision Expo Expands the NOW Awards to Celebrate Global Eyewear Innovation Beyond the Show Floor

A Global Stage for Design Excellence

Award Categories

Call for Submissions

Vision Expo 2026: The Premiere Hub for Eyewear and Eyecare Innovation

Optometry Giving Sight Names Tony Sommer to Board of Directors

Registration Now Open for Vision Expo 2026

New Show Features and Content Stages

Bausch + Lomb Reports Nearly 700,000 Pounds of Eye Care Materials Recycled Through ONE by ONE Program

Reducing “Forgotten Waste Streams”

Supporting Vision Care Access

Commitment to Sustainability

Jennie by 2BB: Geometric Elegance in Gold, Midnight & Rose Gold

About Centennial Optical

Eyewear (Frames)

Lenses and Lab Supplies

Sunwear

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