EssilorLuxottica and Michael Kors announced the renewal of their licensing agreement for the development, production and worldwide distribution of prescription frames and sunglasses under the Michael Kors brand.
The renewal will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and cover a period of five years, with an option for a five-year extension. The early renewal, coming almost a year before the expiration of the current agreement, is a testament to the strong confidence and collaboration between the two companies since 2015.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done with Michael Kors over the past decade. In the years ahead, we’ll continue to innovate together with designs that reflect the brand’s innate sense of modern glamour and its unfailing eye for effortless chic. With this move, EssilorLuxottica continues to strengthen its collaboration with one of the most relevant luxury groups around the world through strategic partnerships that express the essence of its unique brands”.
Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica
“We’re very pleased with the success of our partnership with EssilorLuxottica over the past 10 years. Together, we have grown Michael Kors eyewear into a global business at the leading edge of fashion eyewear while continuing to celebrate the brand’s long and distinctive heritage. We share EssilorLuxottica’s commitment to design, innovation and quality, and look forward to continuing our close collaboration in the years ahead.”
Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) will begin accepting pre-applications for its grant program that funds sustainable, optometry-based projects to end preventable blindness and vision impairment throughout the world. Pre-applications will be accepted from March 1, 2024 until Midnight MST March 20, 2024. Organizations that pass the pre-application process will be invited to submit a full grant proposal in early April. Final grant awards will be announced in August.
OGS funds organizations that focus on the following:
Programs involving optometry where there is a clear outline of optometry’s involvement in and benefits to the program
Establishment or support of optometry schools, eye clinics, vision centers and optical labs
Programs that deliver eye exams and low-cost or no-cost glasses to underserved or marginalized populations and include a strong optometry education and training component
Integrated, long-term optometry-related programs with a view towards sustainability
Service delivery tied to optometry education and/or the development of optometry
Organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), Canadian registered charities and international charities are eligible for funding. There are no geographic restrictions on the locations of the projects. However, priority is given to programs that are in parts of the world where optometry is not a well-developed profession.
To be considered, organizations must be nonpartisan and will not be eligible for funding if their parent company is a large corporation. Programs that include only vision screenings, basic eye exams and eyeglass distribution will also not be considered.
As “Optometry’s Charity,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry- related businesses and corporations to award grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world.
CSI Dry Eye Software, an emerging AI dry eye software company at the forefront of pioneering artificial intelligence in dry eye diagnostics and treatment recommendations, announces that it has appointed Trudi Charest as CSO – Chief Sales Officer.
Trudi Charest, Chief Sales Officer
Trudi has had a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the eyecare industry. Trudi is a Licensed Optician who has worked in retail optical, wholesale with Bausch & Lomb, clinical consulting with Optos, VP of Marketing & Training for Eye Recommend before co-founding a digital marketing agency for Optometrists and Ophthalmologists, Marketing4ECPs.
Trudi brings an impressive history of business development, international public speaking, venture start-ups, best-selling author, board direction and most recently awarded, 2024 Pyxis Award Winner by the Optical Women’s Association, for outstanding contributions to the growth of leadership of women in optical.
Trudi’s appointment comes at a significant time in the software’s history as it continues to release new artificial intelligence advancements and enhancements to the technology that are the first-of-its-kind in dry eye management. Invented and founded by Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghoul, MD, the main goal of the dry eye software is to make diagnosing and treating dry eye disease more accurate, organized, and efficient for all practices.
“We are excited to have Trudi join our team here at CSI Dry Eye Software and continue our expansion and growth globally.”
SightGlass Vision, a joint venture of CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica that develops innovative technologies and science-based treatments to address the global myopia epidemic, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device designation to its Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT™) spectacle lenses, which are intended to slow myopia progression in children. The unique design is the first to use the contrast management mechanism of action, incorporating thousands of elements that gently scatter light across the retina.
The FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program is for highly innovative devices that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human disease or conditions. Manufacturers are given more frequent opportunities for FDA feedback during the premarket review phase, as well as a prioritized submission review. Since the program’s introduction in 2015, only 18 other ophthalmic devices have received the Breakthrough Device designation.*
“The FDA Breakthrough Device designation for Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT™) spectacle lenses is a milestone for our organization—and for the broader fight against the pediatric myopia epidemic. Recent studies1,2 illustrate that about half of U.S. children are myopic, yet most are not receiving treatments proven to slow myopia progression,” said Andrew Sedgwick, CEO of SightGlass Vision. “We are enthusiastic about more closely collaborating with the FDA as we pursue U.S. market clearance.”
SightGlass Vision’s patent-protected technology has demonstrated proven efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical evaluation.3,4,5,6 As reported in September 2023, full four-year outcomes from the pivotal CYPRESS study showed statistically significant slowing of axial length progression and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction.7
SightGlass Vision
Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT™) spectacle lenses have made their commercial debut in several markets, including China, the Netherlands, and Israel, as well as through preliminary market trials in other countries. For more information, visit SightGlassVision.com.
1Kwan J, et al. Current Trends in Pediatric Eye Examinations and Contact Lens Prescribing in the U.S. Poster presentation at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, January 2024.
3 Control of myopia using Diffusion Optics Technology™ spectacle lenses: 12-month results of a randomised controlled, efficacy and safety study (CYPRESS). British Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 01 September 2022. DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2021-321005
4 Rappon J., et al. Two-year effectiveness of a novel myopia management spectacle lens with full-time WEARERS. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2022;63(7):408.
5 Chalberg T., et al. Control of Myopia Using Diffusion Optics Spectacle Lenses: Efficacy and Safety Study (CYPRESS) 42-month results. ARVO 2023 Annual Meeting presentation. 27 April 2023.
6 Laughton, D et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Spectacle Lens for Myopia Control Over Three Years. 2022 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting. 27 Oct 2022.
7 Xiaoying Zhu, Deborah Laughton, Jennifer S. Hill, Marcella McParland, Vanessa Tasso, Jay Neitz, Maureen Neitz, Thomas W. Chalberg. Control of Myopia using Diffusion Optics Technology Spectacle Lenses: Efficacy and Safety Study (CYPRESS) 4 Year Results. Presented at CCOS 2023.
A new study from Dr. Eric Pierce and Dr. Jason Comander at Mass Eye and Ear does not show any benefit to taking high-dose vitamin A supplements for people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
An older study looking at patient data from 1984-1991 had originally suggested that taking vitamin A supplements could in a small way slow the loss of vision for individuals with RP. The study also found that taking vitamin E supplements increased vision loss.
In this newer study, published in the journal JCI Insight, Dr. Pierce and his team looked at additional longer-term data from the original patients. The new analysis confirmed that vitamin E supplements should be avoided by patients with RP, but did not show any benefit from taking vitamin A. In the original study the impact of vitamin A supplements on vision was very small, and the results have been controversial. This new study suggests there is no benefit to vitamin A supplements for people with RP.
Other studies have previously suggested that for individuals with Stargardt’s disease, vitamin A supplements can increase retinal degeneration and should be avoided.
About Fighting Blindness Canada:
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada.
Over our 49-year history, FBC has contributed critical funding for the development of sight-saving treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases. By raising and stewarding funds, FBC is helping drive forward research that supports our goal of understanding why vision loss occurs, how it can be slowed and how sight can be restored.
We are an invaluable resource for individuals and families impacted by blindness, providing accurate eye health information through our website and educational events, as well as engaging with government and other stakeholders to advance better vision health policies.
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The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
