EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms, Inc. showcased the next chapter of their partnership at Meta Connect, unveiling a new lineup of AI-powered eyewear that blends advanced technology with style and everyday functionality.
The companies, whose collaboration has already produced the best-selling Ray-Ban Meta and more recently Oakley Meta HSTN, are expanding their portfolio with three new products: Oakley Meta Vanguard, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), and the forward-looking Meta Ray-Ban Display.
Oakley Meta Vanguard: Athletic Intelligence
Building on the debut of Oakley Meta HSTN, the new Oakley Meta Vanguard introduces what the companies call the era of Athletic Intelligence. Engineered for runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes, the frames combine:
Oakley PRIZM™ lenses with swappable options for different lighting conditions
A 12MP ultra-wide camera (122° field of view)
High-decibel open-ear speakers with advanced wind noise reduction
IP67 water and dust resistance for outdoor training in sun, snow, or rain
Integration with Garmin and Strava for real-time performance insights
The glasses offer up to 9 hours of mixed-use battery life, plus an additional 36 hours with the charging case. Pre-orders are open now at $499 USD on Oakley.com and Meta.com.
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2): More Power, More Style
The second generation of Ray-Ban Meta features extended battery life (up to 8 hours), a 12MP ultra-wide camera capable of recording 3K ultra-HD video, and an expanded range of frame styles and colors. Prescription lenses, including Transitions® Gen S, are available.
A highlight of Meta Connect was Conversation Focus, a forthcoming AI-driven feature that amplifies the voice of the person you’re speaking with while reducing background noise. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) is available now starting at $379 USD on Ray-Ban.com and Meta.com.
Meta Ray-Ban Display: A New Horizon
The most futuristic addition to the lineup is Meta Ray-Ban Display, the first pair of Ray-Ban glasses with a full-color integrated display discreetly built into the right lens. Wearers can view incoming messages, photo previews, video calls, and visual AI prompts such as step-by-step navigation.
The frames come fitted with Transitions® lenses and can be ordered with prescription options. Each pair is paired with the Meta Neural Band, an EMG wristband allowing wearers to control the glasses with subtle hand and finger gestures. Launching September 30 in select U.S. stores at $799 USD, the glasses will expand to Canada, France, Italy, and the UK in early 2026.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
“This latest innovation reveals the next horizon,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO at EssilorLuxottica. “Meta Ray-Ban Display showcases the best of our two companies and redefines what it means to be ‘hands-free.’”
Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta, added: “Glasses are the ideal form factor to eventually deliver superintelligence. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with EssilorLuxottica, and this is just the beginning.”
CooperVision Canada announces its continued support of the Université de Montréal’s School of Optometry, reinforcing its commitment to advancing optometric education and innovation in Canada.
During a special recognition event hosted by the School, CooperVision Canada was honored for its contribution to the institution’s mission and its role in supporting the next generation of eye care professionals. As part of the celebration, the School unveiled the CooperVision Canada plaque, which will be prominently displayed outside a contact lens examination room—symbolizing the company’s long-standing partnership and dedication to the profession.
The School of Optometry, the oldest university-affiliated optometric training institution in North America, is celebrating its 100th anniversary of affiliation with the Université de Montréal this year. CooperVision Canada’s support is part of a broader fundraising campaign aimed at enhancing the School’s facilities and educational resources.
“Innovation is a core value at CooperVision, and we believe that by investing in education, partnerships, and cutting-edge technologies, we can help shape the future of optometry and improve patient outcomes,” said Kristine Churchward, Head of Marketing, Canada. “We are proud to support students throughout their academic journey and to contribute to the School’s leadership in contact lens education.”
Dr. Nathalie Trottier, OD & Senior Manager of Professional and Academic Affairs at CooperVision Canada and a proud alumna of the Université de Montréal, shared: “It is with great pride and emotion that I return to my alma mater to celebrate this milestone. CooperVision’s support reflects our deep commitment to the School, its students, and the profession. By investing in innovation and education, we are helping to shape the future of optometry in Canada.”
CooperVision Canada’s involvement includes support for training programs, educational resources, and collaborative initiatives that inspire and empower future optometrists. This partnership reflects a shared vision of excellence and innovation in eye care.
HOYA Vision Care has announced the launch of VisuPro™ All Day and VisuPro™ Flex, a new category of advanced focus lenses designed for individuals aged 36–44 who are beginning to experience the early signs of presbyopia. The lenses will be available to order in the U.S. beginning September 17, with a Canadian launch planned later this year.
Addressing an Overlooked Patient Group
Presbyopia, the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects, typically begins in the late 30s and early 40s. HOYA research shows that more than half of adults in this age group report increasing difficulty with near vision, particularly when using digital devices. Many find single vision lenses insufficient yet hesitate to adopt progressive lenses due to adaptation concerns or perceived age inappropriateness.
VisuPro lenses aim to bridge this gap, offering a proactive solution for both spectacle and non-spectacle wearers, including emmetropes, contact lens users, and post-refractive surgery patients who require near vision support.
Technology Behind VisuPro
The new lenses combine two key innovations:
Focus Max Optimization – adds extra support for near and digital tasks, helping to reduce visual fatigue and eye strain.
Binocular Harmonization Technology™ (BHT) – HOYA’s proprietary method of harmonizing prescriptions for both eyes, improving focus stability and depth of vision.
Support for Eye Care Professionals
“VisuPro represents a new standard in personalized vision care,” said Samy Lauriette, Vice President of Strategic Marketing at HOYA Vision Care. “It is designed to maintain clarity and comfort at a stage when many patients begin to notice visual changes but aren’t ready for traditional progressive lenses.”
Eye care professionals can access training materials, sales tools, and patient resources at HOYAVision.com.
The Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE®) has reaffirmed its Substantive Equivalency with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®), a recognition it has held since 2017. This equivalency means the COPE CE Accreditation system continues to meet the same rigorous standards as the CME system used in medicine.
Why this matters for Optometrists
Optometrists can be confident that the COPE-accredited continuing education (CE) activities they attend are developed and delivered under the same standards applied in medical education. This ensures courses are designed to enhance professional performance, address demonstrated educational needs, and measure real-world outcomes in patient care.
Why this matters for CE Providers
For CE providers, maintaining equivalency affirms that COPE-accredited activities are recognized as meeting established, internationally respected requirements. This recognition supports credibility, facilitates cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, and underscores independence from commercial influence in CE development.
Why this matters for Licensing Agencies
For ARBO’s member licensing agencies, substantive equivalency provides assurance that the CE system for optometry aligns with medical education standards. This helps protect the public by ensuring optometrists maintain competency through high-quality, unbiased continuing education.
Standards for Substantive Equivalency
According to the ACCME, accreditors may obtain substantive equivalency if their CE/CME systems:
Enhance physician (or practitioner) performance
Are based on data describing learners’ educational needs
Assess effectiveness related to performance or health outcomes
Are developed independent of commercial influence
COPE’s reaffirmation signals its continued commitment to supporting high standards in optometric education and ensuring alignment with broader health care accreditation practices.
The Ontario government has announced a $3.2 million investment to support two community projects, including the construction of Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Lake Joseph Centre in Muskoka.
The investment is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), designed to revitalize local facilities, grow the economy, and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.
A Permanent Home for Goalball
With Ontario’s support, CNIB will build a new multi-purpose facility at Lake Joe, featuring a dedicated goalball court with specialized flooring and acoustic sound panels designed for athletes who are blind or have low vision. The facility will also include an accessible fitness centre and a teaching kitchen, expanding programming opportunities for individuals and families living with sight loss.
The centre will serve local, regional, and national goalball teams, providing a permanent home for training and competition. Once completed, it will also host a variety of adaptive sports and community programs to ensure inclusive recreational opportunities.
“Accessible sport changes lives. It builds confidence, fosters independence, and creates a sense of belonging,” said Angela Bonfanti, President & CEO of CNIB. “This investment will help CNIB Lake Joe expand its seasons and programs and create a lasting legacy of inclusion for generations to come.”
Supporting Métis Youth and Culture
In addition to the CNIB project, the province is also investing over $230,000 to upgrade the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls. Enhancements will include improved amenities and accessibility, transforming the facility into a hub for children’s community events, sports, and cultural programming.
“Being on the land and water is at the heart of Métis culture,” said Sharon Cadeau, Interim Chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario. “Through CSRIF, we’re creating an accessible waterfront so that more Métis children, families, and Elders can gather in safety, dignity, and belonging.”
Voices from the Community
The announcement has been welcomed by athletes and organizations across Ontario’s parasport community:
Amy Burk, Captain of the Canadian Women’s Goalball Team: “Goalball is such a unique sport… I wish I had access to something as significant as this when I first became involved in the sport.”
James Murphy, Executive Director, Parasport Ontario: “This is a huge win for parasport athletes to have a world-class facility to practice, train, and host competitions.”
Randa Gohary, Ontario Blind Sports Association: “This facility will allow OBSA to expand programs and introduce goalball to more participants in a safe, accessible environment.”
Investing in Inclusive Sport
According to the province, sport contributes over $7.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs. By funding projects like CNIB Lake Joe’s goalball facility and the Métis Nation camp upgrades, the government aims to create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
Alcon announces the Canadian launch of PRECISION7, a one-week replacement contact lens designed to deliver comfort, hydration, and an intuitive replacement schedule.
Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.
The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.
The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.
BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.
Alcon announces the Canadian launch of PRECISION7, a one-week replacement contact lens designed to deliver comfort, hydration, and an intuitive replacement schedule.
Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.
The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.
The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.
BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.
Alcon announces the Canadian launch of PRECISION7, a one-week replacement contact lens designed to deliver comfort, hydration, and an intuitive replacement schedule.
Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.
The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.
The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.
BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.
Alcon announces the Canadian launch of PRECISION7, a one-week replacement contact lens designed to deliver comfort, hydration, and an intuitive replacement schedule.
Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.
The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.
The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.
BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.
