Calvin Klein Eyewear Wins MIDO CSE Award 2026

Marchon Eyewear announces that Calvin Klein Eyewear’s CK25548 has won the CSE – Certified Sustainable Eyewear Award 2026 at MIDO|Milano Eyewear Show, which took place from January 31 to February 2, 2026, in Milan, Italy.

cse-award-26_marchon_n- Mido — Photo credit: MIDO

Marchon’s Calvin Klein CK25548 won in the FRAMES category for successfully combining design and sustainability. Crafted from Acetate Renew – made from a blend of bio-based and certified recycled materials – this optical style features a navigator-shaped front. Its broad, statement-making construction is enhanced with a new temple design lasered with allover monogram pattern and complete with a square CK Emblem logo. Available in Black and three transparent colorways: Brown, Khaki and Blue.

Following last year’s Marchon wins in the Sunglasses and Cases categories, this new award represents yet another milestone for the EYES ON TOMORROW® platform and a prestigious recognition of the outstanding work of everyone involved.

For the fourth edition of CSE AWARD – Certified Sustainable Eyewear, an international jury of experts has evaluated, using specific criteria you can find in the regulation, if the candidate products from the exhibitors are made with recycling materials, reducing consumption during production and distribution processes, valuing the supply chain, cutting waste, using renewable energy etc.

Source: Marchon

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February 12, 2026January 22, 2026

Wakan: A Celebration of Life and Art by Jim Yellowhawk

Optik VOILA January-February 2026 AYA Wakan

Wakan is a stunning metal frame featuring Jim Yellowhawk’s Sun is Life design. “The yellow and red triangles represent butterflies that carry our prayers to our creator,” says Jim — a powerful symbol of hope, transformation, and connection.

With its classic styling and artistic twist, Wakan is lightweight, comfortable, and versatile. Designed with adjustable nose pads and spring hinges, it ensures a perfect fit for everyday wear.

Distributed by Claudia Alan: www.claudiaalan.com

About AYA Optical:

Celebrate Indigenous Art with Us!

We believe that art is transformative, and that eyewear can be the canvas to share stories and art from around the world. AYA Eyewear was first launched in 2009 in collaboration with renowned First Nations Artist Corrine Hunt and has continued to flourish and grow every year.

We are committed to the details and realize that beautiful design takes time, precision, and attention, so we don’t cut corners. We stand by our product. We treat our artists as our partners and make sure that their stories and art are always shared in the most heartfelt authentic way.

We take pride in our service and seek opportunities to give back to the communities we serve and the artist’s charities of choice.

AYA Eyewear is truly a brand that stands out from the crowd and is loved by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike.

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February 12, 2026February 11, 2026

Two Blind Brothers Named Presenting Sponsor of 2026 Night for Sight Gala

Foundation Fighting Blindness will host its annual Night for Sight gala on May 14, 2026, at Guastavino’s in New York City, bringing together supporters of vision research and advocacy.

This year’s event will feature Two Blind Brothers as Presenting Sponsor and Announcer of the Visionary Award Honorees. Founded by brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning, both diagnosed with Stargardt disease, the company was created to help fund research and raise awareness for blinding eye conditions. According to the organization, Two Blind Brothers donates 100% of its profits to organizations advancing research and awareness, including nearly $2 million in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

In addition to its apparel business, the company has expanded into eyewear through a branded collection developed with L’Amy America and distributed in Canada by Centennial Optical. The collection launched in Canada in November 2024 and is available through optical retailers nationwide.

Centennial Optical reports that a portion of proceeds from every 2BB frame sold in Canada is donated to Fighting Blindness Canada, supporting vision research initiatives domestically. Fighting Blindness Canada is the country’s largest charitable funder of vision research.

Night for Sight serves as a flagship fundraising event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, supporting the development of treatments and cures for inherited retinal diseases and other blinding conditions.

For more information on the eyewear collection, Canadian Eye Care Professionals can contact their Centennial Optical representative.

Source: Centennial Optical

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February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

SightGlass Vision Expands Canadian Team to Support DOT™ Myopia Control Lens Education

SightGlass Vision has announced the expansion of its Canadian presence with the addition of two Business Development Managers focused on increasing awareness and education around its DOT™ spectacle lenses for childhood myopia management.

The company says the new Canada-based team will work with Eye Care Professionals to support understanding and adoption of its contrast management approach to slowing myopia progression in children.

In Canada, MiSight® spectacle lenses powered by Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT™) are available through CooperVision. According to published research cited by the company, diffusion optics spectacle lenses have demonstrated a reduction in average myopia progression of up to 75% after 12 months of wear in certain pediatric populations, when worn as prescribed. Clinical studies have included children aged six to 13 years, with recommended wear times of approximately 10 hours per day.

SightGlass Vision describes DOT™ lenses as a single-vision spectacle option designed to manage myopia progression through contrast modulation while maintaining visual acuity. The technology integrates multiple light-diffusing elements intended to softly scatter light before it reaches the retina, an approach the company refers to as “contrast management.”

Two industry professionals will initially support the rollout in Ontario and British Columbia:

Sharon Koch, based in Toronto, brings more than 13 years of experience as an optometric assistant and over 25 years in client relationship management. Her background includes roles with Shamir Canada, Eye Recommend, and independent optometry practices.
Gemma Gibb, based in Vancouver, has nearly a decade of experience in the optical sector, including business development and account management roles with Nikon Optical Canada and The Optical Group.

Sharon Koch

Gemma Gibb

In a statement, Koch noted that contrast management remains a relatively new concept for many Canadian Eye Care Professionals and emphasized the opportunity for education around evidence-based myopia control options. Gibb added that many practices are already engaged in myopia management and are seeking additional tools that can integrate into existing workflows.

SightGlass Vision reports that DOT™ lenses have been commercially introduced in markets including China, Israel, Spain, and the U.K., with more than 1.5 million children globally having worn the lenses, based on company sales data. The company was founded in 2016 and now operates as a joint venture between CooperVision, Inc. and Essilor International.

As childhood myopia rates continue to rise globally, the Canadian market has seen growing interest in spectacle-based and contact lens–based myopia management strategies. The addition of a dedicated Canadian team signals increased industry focus on education and practice support in this evolving segment.

For additional information, Eye Care Professionals can visit SightGlassVision.com.

Click HERE for the press release.

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February 11, 2026February 17, 2026

Transitions® Canada and the OAC Announce the Winners of the 2025 Students of Vision Scholarship Program

Transitions® Optical, in collaboration with the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC), announces the winners of the 2025 Students of Vision Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 2008, the program has supported more than 50 students across Canada, helping nurture emerging talent and strengthen the future of the optical industry.

This year marked a milestone for the program, with 40 submissions – the highest number to date. Students were invited to develop a creative project demonstrating how they would inspire and educate young adults (ages 18-35) to choose dynamic lenses as part of their everyday eyewear. Entries were evaluated based on creativity, presentation, strategic thinking, and ethics. Following a competitive review process, the top three applicants have been selected:

1st Place – Jennifer Tam, Seneca Polytechnic

Recognized for her innovative in‑office patient education concept, Jennifer developed a UV exposure model that visually demonstrates how Transitions® lenses activate and block UV light. Her project also included an interactive guide to help deepen patient understanding and support meaningful conversations.

2nd Place – Michela Mariano, Cégep de Lanaudière à L’Assomption

Michela’s project presented a modern pop‑up event experience designed to reframe Transitions® lenses as an expression of personal style. Through immersive elements—including a UV photobooth and aesthetic‑led demo walls—her concept resonated strongly with younger consumers and their desire for fashionable, tech‑driven eyewear.

3rd Place – Calista Bokinac, University of Regina

Calista proposed a social‑media‑driven idea empowering wearers to become co‑creators of the Transitions® brand. Her submission included in‑person and virtual try‑on photobooths simulating real‑life lighting scenarios, paired with a social contest to drive engagement and community participation.

Jennifer Tam - Winner — Jennifer Tam – Winner

Each winner will receive a scholarship valued at $2,000, $1,500, or $1,000, along with a pair of Ray‑Ban® Meta smart glasses with Transitions® lenses. The top winner will also join Canadian eyecare professionals on an exclusive trip to experience the Aurora Borealis in Whitehorse, Northwest Territories.

The program continues to highlight the importance of engaging young adults who navigate constantly changing light environments—from screens to sunlight to indoor settings. Transitions® GEN S™ lenses are developed for this lifestyle, offering ultra‑fast adaptability, visual comfort, and stylish colour options suited to individual expression.

In 2026, Transitions will come back with another program to continue supporting the optical students and their vision on the optical industry and on eye health.

Source: Transitions Optical

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