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January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

World Council of Optometry and Alcon Expand Partnership to Advance Dry Eye Disease Education

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have renewed and expanded their global education partnership aimed at advancing professional understanding and management of dry eye disease. Now entering its fourth year, the initiative continues to focus on practical education around the mitigation, measurement, and management of dry eye disease for optometrists worldwide.

Since its launch in 2022, the collaboration has generated strong engagement across the global optometric community, reflecting the growing need for accessible education and clinical resources related to dry eye care.

Dry eye disease is a chronic and often painful condition affecting an estimated 1.6 billion people globally. Its prevalence continues to rise, driven by factors such as increased screen use, environmental conditions, and an aging population.

“We are excited to extend and build upon our partnership with Alcon for the fourth year,” said Cindy Tromans, BSc (Hons), PhD, FEAOO, President of the World Council of Optometry.

“Supporting dry eye education for optometrists globally is essential, as the disease can lead to additional complications and a decline in quality of life if it is not properly identified and managed. Our continued collaboration will bring new tools and resources that can be used in both clinical practice and academic settings.”

Alcon also emphasized the importance of education in addressing the growing burden of dry eye disease.

“The global increase in dry eye disease is concerning, but we’re encouraged by the optometry community’s strong commitment to improving detection and care,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, Head of Global and U.S. Professional Education and Development at Alcon.

“Through this multiyear educational initiative, we aim to empower optometrists to have more meaningful conversations with patients and colleagues about measuring, managing, and mitigating dry eye disease in their communities.”

Tools and Resources for Optometrists and Educators

Central to the initiative is the dedicated microsite, dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, which hosts the WCO–Alcon Dry Eye Wheel. This interactive tool is designed to support optometrists in identifying and managing dry eye disease using a practical, structured approach built around three pillars of care: mitigation, measurement, and management.

Developed in consultation with Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the platform also features recorded educational webinars and a range of supporting resources intended for use in both clinical and educational environments.

Additional information about the partnership and available resources can be found at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info.

Click HERE for the press release.

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January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

CSI Dry Eye Innovations Unveils New Brand Identity and Secures Patent for AI-Supported Clinical Decision Platform

CSI Dry Eye Innovations has announced a significant brand evolution alongside the issuance of a new patent for its flagship platform, CSI Dry Eye Software. The developments mark a strategic milestone for the company as it positions itself for long-term growth in the increasingly complex field of dry eye management.

The introduction of CSI Dry Eye Innovations as a parent brand establishes a future-focused brand architecture that will encompass both existing and forthcoming solutions. Within this structure, CSI Dry Eye Software remains the company’s core product and is now protected by a newly issued patent covering its underlying clinical decision-support framework.

According to the company, the rebrand reflects its evolution from a single-product provider into a broader digital partner for dry eye care, with an emphasis on consistency, clinical rigor, and evidence-based decision support.

CSI Dry Eye innovations software interface

Patent Protects Structured Clinical Reasoning Framework

The newly issued patent safeguards the proprietary clinical reasoning process embedded within CSI Dry Eye Software. Unlike tools that rely on individual test results or basic data aggregation, the platform integrates multiple dry eye indicators to assess subtype and severity, generating ranked and explainable treatment pathways to support clinician decision-making.

Importantly, the software is designed to support, not replace, clinical judgment. It does not diagnose autonomously or automate care decisions, but instead provides a standardized, evidence-based structure intended to help clinicians navigate the multifactorial nature of dry eye disease.

“Dry eye is not a single disease. It is a complex, multifactorial condition that requires thoughtful clinical reasoning,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghoul, MD, Founder of CSI Dry Eye Innovations. “This patent recognizes the importance of structured, explainable decision support, not automation, in helping clinicians deliver consistent, high-quality dry eye care.”

A Brand Aligned with the Future of Dry Eye Care

The launch of CSI Dry Eye Innovations also includes a refreshed visual identity, clearer messaging around the company’s role in dry eye care, and a new website currently in development. The rebrand signals continued investment in platform capabilities, responsible use of AI, and tools designed to evolve alongside clinical best practices.

CSI Dry Eye innovations software interface request demo

“At its core, this brand represents where CSI is headed,” said Lisa Rickards, CEO of CSI Dry Eye Innovations. “Dry eye is a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex condition, and our focus is on building intuitive, clinically structured tools that help clinicians deliver consistent, efficient, and confident care.”

CSI Dry Eye Innovations is a software company focused on supporting eye care professionals through AI-supported clinical decision tools, led by its flagship CSI Dry Eye Software platform.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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January 28, 2026January 19, 2026

Giving Back: A Core Privilege of Our Profession

Giving Back Core Privilege - Article Header

By Dr. Trevor Miranda, OD

As eye care professionals, we are incredibly fortunate. We work in a field where we help people see life more clearly and protect their long-term vision. On top of that, we enjoy the financial rewards of a well-compensated profession.

When I speak to optometry students, I remind them to quickly pivot their mindset. You’re no longer a debt-burdened student. (Still debt-burdened but now a doctor!). You’re stepping into a respected career with incredible earning potential and opportunities to make a real difference. A scarce mentality simply doesn’t align with the life ahead of you as an optometrist.

It’s important to embrace an abundance mentality and give back throughout your journey. Not just once you’re “comfortable.” Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid off or the kids finish university. No matter where you are in your life or career, there are always meaningful ways to contribute.

What You Can Give Back

The Gift of Time

Volunteering is a powerful way to contribute. Whether you’re active with Rotary, coaching a soccer team, or serving on a committee for your provincial association, your time and expertise are valuable. These roles also help you build leadership skills, broaden your network, and strengthen your business and community presence.

The Gift of Money

Charitable donations go a long way. Many organizations struggle to get initiatives off the ground. A simple financial contribution can be the difference between a stalled project and a successful one. It doesn’t need to be large. What matters is consistency and intention.

The Gift of Eyecare

This one comes naturally to us. Donating a pair of sunglasses, a gift certificate, or a dry eye gift basket for a local charity auction is a low-cost, high-impact gesture. The product has a high perceived value, costs you little thanks to wholesale pricing, and brings new patients into your practice. It’s a win for the community and your clinic.

Who You Can Give Back To

At Cowichan Eyecare, we set an annual giving budget. You can’t say yes to every request, and that’s okay. Choose causes that resonate with you and your team.

Start with organizations aligned with our field.

These groups bring vision care to underserved communities around the world.

Support Local Causes

Food banks, women’s shelters, the SPCA, and Rotary Clubs are all strong candidates for regular giving. These are organizations your patients and staff already care about.

Remember Your Roots

Give back to your optometry school. Whether it’s through alumni events, scholarships, or mentorship, helping the next generation strengthens the profession as a whole.

Look Inside Your Own Team

Support staff-led fundraisers or sponsor the sports teams that their kids are involved in. At Cowichan Eyecare, we offer bursaries to staff whose children are graduating high school to help with their post-secondary plans. These small gestures build loyalty and community within your workplace.

Mentor Generously

Sharing your experience with new grads is one of the most impactful things you can do. Help them avoid your early mistakes, learn the ropes faster, and find their passion within the profession.

Our Internal Fund

We’ve set up an internal fund that allows our team to cover exam and eyewear costs for community members in real financial need. It’s not used often, but it’s there when someone needs a hand. Patients apply through a simple process, and doctors have discretion to offer no-charge services in exceptional cases.

This initiative reinforces our belief that access to vision care is a right, not a privilege

The Bigger Picture

Giving back isn’t just a feel-good strategy. It reinforces gratitude, strengthens empathy, and keeps us connected to our communities and our purpose. It also improves morale within your clinic and builds a stronger team culture.

Adopting an abundance mindset allows you to lead with generosity, clarity, and confidence. It’s not about giving everything away, it’s about giving meaningfully and consistently, in ways that lift others and renew your sense of purpose.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position to give, you’re also in a position to lead

Let’s lead well.

About the Author:

Dr. Trevor Miranda, OD

Dr. Miranda is a partner in a multi-doctor, five-location practice on Vancouver Island. He is a strong advocate for true Independent Optometry. As a serial entrepreneur, Trevor is constantly testing different patient care and business models at his various locations. Many of these have turned out to be quite successful. Dr. Miranda is a regular contributor to Eye Care Business Canada under the category “Independent SightLines”. His latest project is the Optometry Unleashed podcast.

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January 27, 2026January 29, 2026

Eye on the Industry: Episode 8 – The Growth Mindset Behind Optical Practice Success

In the latest episode of Eye on the Industry, hosts Isabelle Tremblay and Christine Zeggil welcome a deeply compelling guest: Dr. Vi Tu Banh, optometrist, vision therapy practitioner, and author of the memoir 12 Elephants and a Dragon.

Eye on the Industry podcast episode 8 with Dr. Vi Tu Banh

More than a conversation about a book, this episode explores how lived experience, trauma, and healing can profoundly shape leadership, service, and the way care is delivered in optometric practice.

Dr. Banh shares the origins of his remarkable journey, beginning with his birth in Vietnam under a dictatorship and his family’s escape as refugees. After years in refugee camps, his family eventually resettled in Canada, carrying little more than hope and resilience. The title of his memoir reflects that journey. The “twelve elephants” symbolize the quiet ambassadors of kindness who helped his family along the way, while the “dragon” represents the strength and voice he would later find in telling his story.

A defining moment in Dr. Banh’s professional life came when he chose to return to Uxbridge, Ontario, the community that once welcomed him. Despite advice that the move made little sense from a business perspective, he followed an inner calling to serve. More than two decades later, his practice continues to thrive, grounded in deep community connection and purpose-driven care.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Banh reflects on the long process of healing from childhood trauma. He speaks candidly about moving through stages of blame, guilt, and self-protection before arriving at a place of awareness and choice. His perspective is clear and unapologetic: suffering, while real, does not have to define one’s future. Choosing light, responsibility, and growth changes everything.

Writing 12 Elephants and a Dragon became a powerful part of that healing journey. The process unearthed emotional weight he did not realize he was carrying, but it also opened the door to connection. Once the story was told, it became something he felt compelled to share, not for himself, but because others needed to hear it.

That philosophy carries directly into his work as an optometrist and vision therapy practitioner. Dr. Banh explains how service, empathy, and presence guide his patient care. Compassion, he notes, does not mean the absence of boundaries. It means clear communication, honest education, and practicing in a way that allows both practitioner and patient to leave the encounter better than they arrived.

The episode closes with messages of hope and perspective. Dr. Banh reminds listeners that kindness does not require wealth or status, only intention. Even small acts can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

This conversation is a reminder that optometry is not only about vision correction, but about human connection, service, and the lasting impact of care delivered with purpose.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Eye on the Industry to hear Dr. Vi Tu Banh’s story and reflections in his own words.

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January 26, 2026January 28, 2026

Reset for the New Year

By Dr. Trevor Miranda, OD

The start of a new year has always held a kind of quiet power for independent optometrists. It’s not just about flipping the calendar, but rather it’s a mindset shift. A call to pause, reset, and reconnect with the “why” behind what we do every day. As business owners and clinicians, we straddle the line between science and service, clinical precision and compassionate leadership. January gives us a moment to recalibrate both.

Looking Backward to Move Forward

Before we can effectively set new goals, we need to reflect on the past year, honestly and without judgment. What did we do well? Where did we fall short? This isn’t just about revenue growth or frame board turnover. It’s also about patient outcomes, team morale, and how we navigated the ever-evolving challenges in healthcare.

At Cowichan Eyecare, we begin each year by examining our core KPIs: medical billing patterns, capture rates, and staff engagement surveys. But we also ask deeper questions: Did we stay true to our values? Did our patients feel seen and cared for? Did our team feel inspired or merely exhausted?

The best reset comes not from reinvention, but from realignment.

Mindset Matters More Than Metrics

One of the most important tools a practice owner can carry into the new year isn’t a spreadsheet; it’s a healthy mindset. Leadership fatigue is real. Burnout is real. And if we’re not intentional about our outlook, we can slip into survival mode, stuck in the day-to-day without seeing the bigger picture.

That’s why I view January as a mental reset. A chance to release the frustrations of last year: staff turnover, missed targets, unexpected curveballs and step into the new year with renewed purpose.

Remember: as leaders, our mindset is contagious. If we show up energized and focused, our teams will feel it too.

Culture is the Real Competitive Advantage

If you want to build a practice that thrives long-term, you need to prioritize culture as much as strategy. This time of year is ideal for reconnecting with your team and not just about workflow goals, but about vision and values.

At Cowichan Eyecare, we have a tradition called Bluenotes; these are shoutouts that staff give each other for going above and beyond. A simple gesture, but one that reinforces our culture of gratitude and positivity. It costs nothing yet pays massive dividends in morale.

As you reset this year, ask yourself, how are you investing in your people? Because no marketing plan or piece of equipment will ever outperform a motivated, connected team.

Embrace Innovation, Stay Independent

In today’s landscape, staying independent doesn’t mean doing it alone. It means making strategic, values-aligned choices that give you freedom and strength. That could mean joining a buying group, investing in dry eye technologies, or partnering with like-minded colleagues for shared learning and support.

This is the concept of independence through interdependence: a mindset that’s allowed my practice to grow from a single cold start to five thriving locations. By standardizing product offerings, collaborating with select vendors, and empowering our associates with clinical protocols, we maintain both quality and autonomy.

And let’s not forget, innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s also about how we show up in our communities through patient education, DEI initiatives, or just offering a wider range of eyewear styles that reflect the diversity of our clientele.

The answers may not come right away. But the act of asking is where the reset begins.

Reset Your Legacy, Too

As the father of a soon to graduate optometry student (shoutout to Nyah!), I’ve been thinking more about legacy. Not just the legacy I’ll leave behind, but the one I’m building now. Every interaction, every system, every hire all feeds into the future of your practice.

Legacy doesn’t start when you retire. It starts today with mentorship, meaningful succession planning, and creating an environment that future ODs will want to be part of. If you’re lucky enough to have a new grad working with you, don’t just give them a job; give them a pathway to leadership.

The Power of the New Year

The beauty of January is that it gives us permission to dream again. To refine. To reset. Not just as optometrists, but as people. This year, take a moment to ask yourself:

• What’s the one thing I want to do better this year?
• How can I show up differently for my team, my patients, and myself?
• Day by day, exam by exam, what legacy am I building?

The answers may not come right away. But the act of asking is where the reset begins. Here’s to a new year, a renewed mindset, and the continued evolution of independent optometry in Canada.