For over fifty years, SILMO Paris has brought together the creative and forward-thinking minds of the optical and eyewear world.
With the Optical Design Contest, the show continues its mission: to inspire, showcase, and support the talents of tomorrow.
This new edition invites design students to explore the possibilities of vision, push the boundaries of creativity, and imagine what “seeing tomorrow” will look like.
Far more than a mere stylistic exercise, the contest is an invitation to think of design as a vector of emotion, meaning, and the future.
A Springboard for Emerging Talent
The 2026 Optical Design Contest offers outstanding visibility to future designers.
Finalist projects will be showcased at SILMO Paris 2026, a true international stage for optical design.
The winner will receive €10,000, split equally between the student and their school, along with official exposure to the media and industry professionals.
Olivier Lapidus, a French designer renowned for his avant-garde vision, will chair the jury of the SILMO 2026 Optical Design Contest.
Trained at Balmain, he first made his mark in fashion before expanding his universe to global design.
A collaborator with the CEA and CNRS, he designs innovative textiles, dresses made from optical fibers, and creations inspired by music. Winner of the Dé d’Or, he also designed Hôtel Félicien in Paris and the Lounge Bar collection, where he combines design, innovation, and sensory experience.
After presiding over the SILMO d’Or 2025, he naturally continues this journey by leading the contest jury. An obvious choice to embody the spirit of openness, creativity, and mentorship that SILMO aims to inspire in young talents.
EssilorLuxottica announced a multi-year pledge of more than $1.5M CAD to The Université de Montréal – École d’Optométrie and the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. The significant investment underscores the company’s commitment to advancing vision science research, clinical innovation, and the education of future optometry leaders in Canada.
The pledge will support both schools with enhanced research capacity, modernized clinical infrastructure, and stronger industry–academic collaboration, ensuring that students, faculty, and patients benefit from next-generation technologies and discoveries.
“At EssilorLuxottica we believe that investing in education and research is one of the most impactful ways to shape the future of vision care,” said Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions at EssilorLuxottica and Head of HumanWare. “With innovations such as wearables, cutting-edge diagnostic tools, big data and AI analytics, the eyecare landscape is quickly changing. It’s vital that we equip tomorrow’s eye care professionals with the tools and knowledge they needto deliver the right care to patients across Canada.”
“This pledge underscores our focus on strengthening the pipeline of eye care professionals by creating opportunities for advanced training and academic collaboration,” said Dr. Carl Spear, EVP & Chief Medical Officer, EssilorLuxottica North America. “Working alongside leading institutions across North America, we aim to combine clinical expertise with real-world industry insights to address emerging challenges in vision care and improve outcomes for patients.”
Université de Montréal École d’Optométrie The new Fonds EssilorLuxottica Innovation, will fuel discovery in areas such as neuro-optometry, myopia control, ocular disease biomarker detection, tele-optometry, ocular surface and dry eye management, low vision, and specialty contact lenses. The fund will also renew advanced equipment at the Clinique universitaire de la vision, enhancing patient care for the 25,000 people served annually and giving students critical exposure to cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies.
University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science EssilorLuxottica will invest in the creation of the Waterloo Eye Institute, which will serve as a national centre of excellence for clinical training, applied research and care for some 28,000 patients a year. Supported by EssilorLuxottica’s investment, the Waterloo Eye Institute will not only drive innovation but also create the EssilorLuxottica Canada Optical Services Lab, where students will gain hands-on experience in advanced optical services and technologies. This partnership is a way to deepen collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate innovation in vision care.
The Université de Montréal emphasized the impact of the support: “EssilorLuxottica has been a longstanding partner, and this renewed commitment will significantly enrich our students’ experience, strengthen research, and improve patient care,” said Jean-François Bouchard, Director of l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal.
The University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science echoed this sentiment: “This generous pledge will be transformative for our students and faculty, advancing both clinical training and innovation in vision science,” said Ben Thompson, director of the School.
EssilorLuxottica’s pledge is part of its broader strategy to invest in education, research, and innovation, building partnerships that advance discoveries and create a healthier, brighter future for all.
Université de Montréal – École d’Optométrie and EssilorLuxottica representatives: Bottom row, left to right: · Simon Robert, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, EssilorLuxottica Canada · Michael Pecho, Vice-Rector Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Université de Montréal · Christine Breton, Chair of the Advisory Board of the School of Optometry, Université de Montréal & President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Opto-Réseau · Daniel Jutras, Rector, Université de Montréal · Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions and Head of HumanWare, EssilorLuxottica Canada Top row, left to right: · Jean-François Bouchard, Director of l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal · Nicola Courtemanche, Vice President, Canadian Optical, Independents, EssilorLuxottica CanadaLeft to right; Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions and Head of HumanWare, EssilorLuxottica Canada, Ben Thompson Director, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
Myopia Profile’s third annual Myopia Action Month recently completed as a marked success with explosive growth over the prior two years. Eye care professionals (ECPs) and industry experts worldwide interacted with free, evidence-based educational tools throughout September, discovering new ways to strengthen their myopia management expertise and community involvement.
This year’s interactive content was shaped by clinician feedback and included a mix of short educational videos, focused lectures, practical business resources, and ready-to-use tools that helped ECPs share their myopia management experience with patients and communities.
Collectively, these resources drove over 3 million engagements across Myopia Profile’s platforms, with the Myopia Action Month webpage specifically experiencing a 40% increase in activity compared to last year and 4.5 times more activity than in 2023. Organic activity across Myopia Profile’s social media pages increased substantially with 4.5 times more growth. Sponsors, industry stakeholders, and ECPs worldwide significantly amplified the cause with 11 posts per day on average across platforms and more than 70% of Myopia Action Month posts coming from outside Myopia Profile itself.
“The massive interaction this year shows that listening to the eye care community pays off,” said Dr. Kate Gifford, co-founder of Myopia Profile. “We look forward to gathering feedback from this year to make next year’s Myopia Action Month even stronger, continuing to evolve and deliver content that truly supports ECPs and advances children’s vision care worldwide.”
Myopia Action Month aligns with the World Council of Optometry’s advocacy for myopia patient care and is supported by Myopia Profile’s visionary sponsors, including CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, HOYA, Johnson & Johnson, Menicon, OCULUS, Ocumetra, Alcon, Eyerising International, SEED, Topcon Healthcare Europe, and SightGlass Vision, Inc.
Dr. Stewart McLeod, a third-generation optometrist, celebrates 50 years in practice as his son Ben begins his own optometry studies – a fourth generation! For Dr. McLeod, optometry is about family, personal connection, and providing exceptional eye care for the people of Penticton. This remarkable milestone signifies a family’s commitment to the local community.
Ben McLeod left and Dr. Stewart McLeod right at Penticton Peach Festival 2025
The family’s first foray into the field began with Dr. McLeod’s grandfather, Murdoch McLeod, who was one of the early optometrists in British Columbia. This included time in Penticton in 1920. Murdoch’s son and Dr. McLeod’s father, Clyde McLeod, then began his own optometric practice in Penticton.
Murdoch and Clyde each practised for over 50 years, and Dr. McLeod practised alongside his father for 15 years!
After Clyde retired, Dr. McLeod and his partners formed Waterfront Eye Care at the current clinic location. In 2008, recognizing the need for optometrists to join together to preserve doctor-owned and led practices, they partnered with other optometric clinics to found FYidoctors, which has grown into Canada’s largest eye care provider. Dr. McLeod is proud of the high level of care FYidoctors provides, and the increase in the scope of optometry, which has benefited both patients and the healthcare system.
Over the decades, Dr. McLeod has cared for countless families in the South Okanagan, often seeing successive generations. “It’s a privilege to be part of people’s lives in this way,” says Dr. McLeod. “Eye care is personal. You’re helping people see the world more clearly, and sometimes that means you get to be part of their world for a long time.”
Dr. McLeod still thoroughly enjoys working a couple of days a week, and the next chapter in the family story has already begun. His youngest child, Ben, spent the last five summers working in the clinic and began his first year of optometry studies at the University of Waterloo this fall.
“It’s quite something that Ben has also chosen a career in optometry,” Dr. McLeod reflects. “Four generations! I love every aspect of my work and it’s special to know that our family’s story in optometry won’t be ending when I eventually retire—it will just turn the page.”
As Diabetes Awareness Month begins, new data from the Specsavers Canada Eyecare Report 2025 reveals a concerning trend: 38% of Canadians living with diabetes are not getting annual eye exams.
The findings, based on a national Angus Reid Group survey, highlight a critical gap in understanding the connection between diabetes and vision health. People living with diabetes are 25 times more likely to experience sight loss than the general population, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among Canadians aged 20–64, according to Diabetes Canada.
“Almost half of people with diabetes (47%) believe they would know if something was wrong with their vision,” said Naomi Barber, Clinical Services Director at Specsavers Canada. “This dangerous misconception means many are waiting for symptoms that may never come—until it’s too late.”
Barber encourages Canadians with diabetes to take three key steps to protect their sight:
Book your annual eye exam. Even if vision seems fine, annual comprehensive exams are the best defence against preventable vision loss.
Ask about OCT technology. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows optometrists to detect early retinal changes invisible through traditional exams. OCT scans are included as part of every standard comprehensive exam at Specsavers.
Know your coverage. Many Canadians with diabetes qualify for provincially covered annual eye exams, and extended health insurance may cover additional costs.
“Affordable, accessible eye care is essential for early detection,” added Barber. “An annual exam can make the difference between healthy vision and irreversible sight loss.”
Source: Specsavers
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Vision Expo 2026 celebrated its 40th anniversary in Orlando with more than 8,000 attendees, over 220 hours of education, and a show floor packed with innovation and industry activity.
Myopia management has become an essential part of modern pediatric eye care. For many practices, the challenge is no longer why it matters, but how to integrate it into everyday clinical workflows.
CUSTOMEYES, the luxury eyewear customization platform by MIO Group, will open its first global Atelier at Eyes On Sheppard in Toronto on April 10, 2026.
EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana have announced a long-term extension of their licensing agreement through 2050 for prescription frames and sunglasses worldwide.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Vision Expo 2026 celebrated its 40th anniversary in Orlando with more than 8,000 attendees, over 220 hours of education, and a show floor packed with innovation and industry activity.
Myopia management has become an essential part of modern pediatric eye care. For many practices, the challenge is no longer why it matters, but how to integrate it into everyday clinical workflows.
CUSTOMEYES, the luxury eyewear customization platform by MIO Group, will open its first global Atelier at Eyes On Sheppard in Toronto on April 10, 2026.
EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana have announced a long-term extension of their licensing agreement through 2050 for prescription frames and sunglasses worldwide.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Vision Expo 2026 celebrated its 40th anniversary in Orlando with more than 8,000 attendees, over 220 hours of education, and a show floor packed with innovation and industry activity.
Myopia management has become an essential part of modern pediatric eye care. For many practices, the challenge is no longer why it matters, but how to integrate it into everyday clinical workflows.
CUSTOMEYES, the luxury eyewear customization platform by MIO Group, will open its first global Atelier at Eyes On Sheppard in Toronto on April 10, 2026.
EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana have announced a long-term extension of their licensing agreement through 2050 for prescription frames and sunglasses worldwide.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Vision Expo 2026 celebrated its 40th anniversary in Orlando with more than 8,000 attendees, over 220 hours of education, and a show floor packed with innovation and industry activity.
Myopia management has become an essential part of modern pediatric eye care. For many practices, the challenge is no longer why it matters, but how to integrate it into everyday clinical workflows.
CUSTOMEYES, the luxury eyewear customization platform by MIO Group, will open its first global Atelier at Eyes On Sheppard in Toronto on April 10, 2026.
EssilorLuxottica and Dolce&Gabbana have announced a long-term extension of their licensing agreement through 2050 for prescription frames and sunglasses worldwide.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
