This grant provides three awards of $500,000 USD each to researchers working to accelerate the understanding of myopia and the role visual experience plays in its development and progression through longitudinal, open-science research.
These researchers will make not only their publications publicly available but also the data behind them according to the FAIR data principles, along with metadata artifacts necessary to interpret them. This will allow for additional comparison and harmonization, reproducibility, and federated analysis of these datasets by other researchers, enabling a collaborative effort to solve the riddle of visual experience’s role in myopia development.
“As myopia continues to emerge as a prevalent global public health concern, supporting innovative, open-science research has never been more important,” said AAOF Board President, Valerie Sharpe, OD, FAAO. “The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is proud to recognize these exceptional awardees whose work has the potential to meaningfully advance our understanding of myopia development.”
2026 Grant Recipients
Ranjay Chakraborty, BS Optom, PhD – Flinders University Study: Objective Measures of Ambient Light Exposure and Near Work in Pre-Myopic Children: A Cross-Continental Longitudinal Study across 100 Degrees of Latitude: Light X Near Study
Safal Khanal, OD, PhD, FAAO – University of Alabama at Birmingham Study: Longitudinal interaction of the visual diet with optical, structural, and neural factors in childhood myopia
Xiaoying Zhu, OD, PhD, MD, MS, FAAO – State University of New York Study: Longitudinal measurements of visual diet and visuomotor activity in children
The Myopia Research Grant recipients will be formally recognized during Academy 2026 Anaheim at the Foundation First Night event on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Bausch + Lomb has announced the U.S. launch of PreserVision AREDS3™ eye vitamins, a new formulation that combines the AREDS2 nutrients recommended by the National Eye Institute with a proprietary B-vitamin complex.
The new formula builds on Bausch + Lomb’s longstanding PreserVision line and is intended to support a broader range of people concerned about macular health, including those in earlier stages.
In a statement, John Ferris, president, Consumer, at Bausch + Lomb, said the launch reflects the company’s ongoing effort to expand options for people seeking earlier nutritional support for macular health.
Bausch + Lomb describes PreserVision AREDS3 as its most advanced PreserVision formula to date. The product is designed to provide what it calls triple-action support through AREDS2 nutrients, a B-vitamin complex, and enhanced absorption of key nutrients.
The company also pointed to a growing body of research examining the role of certain B vitamins in age-related macular degeneration, including studies discussed in a recent narrative review published in Ophthalmology and Therapy.
Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, said the addition of a B-vitamin complex may offer eye care professionals greater flexibility when discussing nutritional options with a broader range of patients.
PreserVision AREDS3 is now available in the United States through major retailers and online channels. For more information, visit www.preservision.com.
Each year, donations to Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) enable the funding of projects globally that provide immediate eye care to those in need today and expand optometry so vision care is available for years to come. A recent project funded in Nigeria strengthens optometry education and expands access to eye care in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria. Sight was restored to 36-year-old Eunice. Read More…
Eunice
Source: Optometry Giving Sight
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The National Academy of Opticianry (NAO) and the United Opticians Association (UOA) announced that the NAO Fellow Members, and the UOA Board of Directors, each voted to authorize the beginning of the formal merger or asset-transfer process between the two organizations. These actions follow the Letter of Intent jointly approved by both Boards in April and represent a coordinated commitment to advance the next phase of due diligence and planning.
“This vote allows the process to continue responsibly and transparently,” said Gwen Cooper, Executive Director of UOA and Chair of the Joint Steering Committee. “Both organizations remain committed to a thorough review that ensures any final decision is in the best interest of the profession, the members we serve, the students of the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) and the long-term sustainability of opticianry education and advocacy.”
As the due diligence process continues, both NAO and UOA emphasize that all current operations, member services, and educational programs, including the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP), will continue without interruption. Nothing in this process will disrupt ongoing work, and both organizations are committed to ensuring a seamless integration of processes, membership systems, educational offerings, and program delivery now and in the future.
During this due diligence period, the Joint Steering Committee will continue its structured evaluation of:
Financial and legal obligations
Programmatic integration opportunities
Operational and staffing considerations
Member services and educational continuity
“NAO and UOA share a long-standing commitment to strengthening the opticianry profession,” said Diane Drake, NAO’s Board President. “This process is designed to ensure that our future alignment is thoughtful, well-planned, and grounded in the best interests of our members and the communities we serve. Our members can be confident that their programs, benefits, and educational pathways will remain strong and uninterrupted throughout this transition.”
Additional updates will be shared with members of both organizations as the process progresses.
There’s a different kind of buzz in sunwear right now: lighter, fresher, and honestly a lot more fun. Summer style isn’t sitting still anymore. It’s moving, adapting, and showing up in ways that feel effortless but still dialed in. Think sunwear that keeps up with your day without ever looking like it’s trying too hard.
Lenses Take the Lead
Let’s start with lenses, because that’s where things are really evolving. One of the biggest shifts? Colour. Lenses are getting bolder, more expressive, and way more intentional. Cool, vibrant tones are stepping into the spotlight: think deep ocean blues, rich emerald greens, sun-warmed ambers, and even playful rose and violet tints. These aren’t just functional; they’re a whole mood. The right tint can completely change how a frame feels on the face, and that’s becoming a major part of the style conversation.
Behind the scenes, lens innovation is getting seriously impressive. New labs like Novacel have really mastered the art of tinting, dialing in precision colour that feels both consistent and refined. It’s not just about slapping on a shade anymore; it’s about depth, balance, and creating a tint that enhances vision while elevating the look. The result is lenses that don’t just correct; they elevate.
Ultra-dynamic lenses, such as the new Transitions® Color Touch™, are also emerging as must-haves in fashion and style, thanks to their new subtle effects in washed and gradient always-on finishes. The transitions are faster and more seamless, while the available tints feel refined and forward-looking, allowing for a smooth, indoor-to-outdoor flow without a second thought.
And if you’re out in the sun, polarized lenses are still essential, but they’re getting smarter too. Less glare, more clarity, and colours that feel natural instead of over-processed. It’s that perfect balance: sharp vision without losing the beauty of the scene in front of you.
Frames Get Lighter and Brighter
Now frames — that’s where personality really comes out to play. This summer, it’s all about lightness. Frames that feel like they’re barely there but still carry a strong sense of style. Thin metals, featherlight titanium, and barely-there acetates are everywhere. The vibe is clean, minimal, and sharp, like a well-cut outfit that just works.
Oversized is still in the mix, but it’s evolved. It’s less about heavy, oversized drama and more about soft volume. Bigger lenses, slimmer lines, lighter materials — the kind of frames that give you that effortless, “I just threw this on” energy but still look perfectly styled.
Colour is where things really come alive. Summer tones are warm, glowing, and full of life. You’ve got honey ambers, soft tortoise, sun-washed neutrals, and then those crystal-clear and translucent finishes that catch light in the most subtle, beautiful way. These frames don’t overpower, they glow.
Style Meets Comfort
Comfort is another big focus. Frames are being designed to actually feel good all day long: flexible temples, better balance, lightweight builds. It’s eyewear that moves with you instead of against you. You put them on and forget they’re even there… until someone asks where you got them.
There’s also a strong crossover happening between sport and everyday style. Performance-inspired designs are influencing fashion in a big way: wrap shapes, rubber accents, secure fits — but refined so they work beyond the gym or trail. It’s functional design, cleaned up and ready for everyday life.
A More Personal Expression
Sustainability continues to grow in importance too. Bio-based materials, recycled metals, and more responsible production methods are becoming part of the process. What’s great is that it’s being done without compromising on style. The end result still feels fresh, modern, and wearable.
What really stands out this season is how personal eyewear has become. It’s not just something you wear; it’s part of how you express yourself. The right lenses, the right tint, the right frame — they all come together to tell a story.
And that’s the energy right now: easy, expressive, and full of personality. Sunwear that doesn’t just keep up with summer but becomes part of it.
About the Author:
Shan Khan, R.O.
Shan Khan, is an optician and educator passionate about advancing eye care and eyewear awareness in Canada. As Editor-in-Chief of Optik Magazine, she brings a keen industry perspective and a commitment to spotlighting innovation, style, and professionalism across the optical landscape.
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The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
