Since the collaboration began, the eyewear company has contributed $65,000 to the Institute, including a $30,000 donation in 2025. The funding supports initiatives aimed at strengthening clinical education and advancing innovation in vision care.
According to the School of Optometry & Vision Science, the partnership reflects shared priorities around access to care and professional development in optometry.
Dr. Ben Thompson, director of the School, said the ongoing collaboration contributes to efforts to advance eye and vision care in Canada through both training and research.
WestGroupe President Michael Suliteanu stated the company intends to continue supporting programs that improve patient care and expand access to vision health services nationwide.
The Waterloo Eye Institute is also preparing to open its expanded 68,000-square-foot Waterloo Optometry Clinic later this year. The upgraded facility will include updated primary care spaces, specialty clinics such as vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation, as well as areas dedicated to teleoptometry and research.
Both organizations say they plan to maintain the partnership as the Institute expands its clinical and educational activities.
The collaboration between MOREL and Constance Guisset, launched at SILMO Paris 2025, introduces three optical and sunglass models shaped by soft, calligraphic lines. Named Virgule, Esperluette and Parenthèse, these refined frames blend singular contours, subtle colours and exceptional comfort, creating poetic, elegant eyewear designed to be effortlessly worn and easily embraced.
Family-owned, independent and responsible, the company strives to transmit the authenticity of its expertise while developing a strong international distribution network. Today, we are present in over 90 countries!
Today, more than ever, MOREL is proud of our past and resolutely turned towards our future. Our sincere desire for improvement lies close to our hearts and has led us to embrace an environmentally and socially responsible initiative. MOREL strives to become a company that is committed to addressing the major global issues of our time.
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e- newsletters!
The SILMO Academy will bring together the global optical and vision care community in Bali from April 6–8, 2026 for its CPD-accredited International Congress.
The three-day scientific meeting will gather researchers, clinicians and international opinion leaders around a programme organized into five major themes shaping contemporary practice:
Putting People First — patient-centred care and evolving professional roles
Healthy Ageing & Presbyopia — WHO initiatives, demographic change and visual needs
Gaining a Competitive Edge in Practice — clinical innovation and differentiation
Light Management & Myopia — the influence of light on refractive development
Future Advances in Optometry & Optics — artificial intelligence, smart eyewear and med-tech evolution
The congress will feature a range of international speakers, including World Council of Optometry President Dr. Cindy Tromans, European Council of Optometry and Optics President Gabrielle Janssen, Professor Rupert Bourne (UK), Professor David Elliott (UK), Professor Eric Papas (Australia) and Professor Weizhong Lan (China).
SILMO Academy positions the event as a global scientific forum aimed at advancing knowledge exchange and professional development across the optical sector.
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published Issue 88 of Contact Lens Update, which focuses entirely on scleral lenses—one of the most transformative modalities in modern contact lens practice. Four feature stories examine the expanding role of sclerals, real-world prescribing trends, and the technologies shaping contemporary practice. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
“Today’s scleral lenses are no longer simply a last-resort option,” said Daddi Fadel, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Waterloo. “They have evolved into a powerful, highly customizable platform, giving clinicians the ability to manage complex visual and ocular surface challenges with unprecedented precision, comfort, and confidence.”
Contact Lens Update Issue 88 Contributors (clockwise from top left): Daddi Fadel, Rute J. Macedo de Araújo, Anitha Arvind, Monica Chaudhry, Jamie Kuzniar, Nicholas Brown.
Fadel, who is among the world’s most recognized authorities in specialty contact lenses, wrote the issue’s opening editorial. She outlines the “what, why, and how” of scleral lenses, describing their evolution into a versatile therapeutic and optical platform. Fadel explains their essential role in restoring visual quality, comfort, and quality of life where conventional corrections fail, and details how advanced diagnostics, customized scleral alignment, and emerging optical technologies enable optimized vision and ocular surface outcomes.
Rute J. Macedo de Araújo, PhD, is an optometrist, vision scientist, and researcher at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal) who concentrates on specialty lenses, corneal irregularities, and visual quality. She authors the feature article on current trends in scleral lens prescription, management, and evaluation. Her review highlights real-world scleral lens prescribing and management through the SCOPE initiative, illustrating progress in lens design and care but wide variability in follow-up practices.
Anitha Arvind, PhD, associate professor and head of Optometry at GD Goenka University and an expert in contact lenses and dry eye, and Monica Chaudhry, a senior optometrist with more than 40 years’ experience in specialty lenses and founder of MCVI, offer the clinical insight. These Gurugram, India-based professionals present a case showing how scleral lenses successfully managed long-term visual instability, irregular astigmatism, and contact lens intolerance post–radial keratotomy, using advanced corneal imaging to guide lens selection for stable vision and comfort.
The conference highlight is presented by Jamie Kuzniar, FSLS, FAAO, founder of Elevate Eye Care + Eyewear (Rochester Hills, Mich., U.S.), and Nicholas Brown, director of Engineering at Ovitz Inc. (Rochester, N.Y., U.S.). This case series presents clinical outcomes using wavefront‑guided scleral lenses to enhance visual quality in keratoconus patients. The results demonstrated significant reduction in higher‑order aberrations and improved visual acuity by custom correcting patient-specific optics and optimizing lens stability and fit for better real-world vision.
Every year when Pantone announces its Color of the Year, the fashion and design worlds buzz. But in optical, we tend to ask a different question: What does this mean for eyewear? For our patients? For our dispensary?
For 2026, Pantone chose Cloud Dancer, a soft, warm white that feels clean, airy, and modern. And while you might not think “white” can drive trends, Cloud Dancer opens a lot of doors in eyewear styling and retail.
(Frame: J.F. Rey, JF1590 col. 1098)
Why This Color Matters to Opticians
White is often overlooked in frame design. Many opticians remember the days when white frames felt too bold or too niche. But Cloud Dancer isn’t a harsh, bright white. It’s warmer, softer, and far more wearable. Think of it as the “gentle white” that fits easily into everyday style.
For optical professionals, this means: • It’s a neutral that works across skin tones. • It allows us to highlight shape, fit, and craftsmanship, not just color. • It supports the minimalist, clean-aesthetic trend patients are craving.
As someone who has spent decades in dispensaries, classrooms, and consulting rooms, I’ve learned that patients often want something new, but not risky. Cloud Dancer hits that sweet spot: fresh, modern, but approachable.
Cloud Dancer Frames: The New Quiet Statement
We’ve seen bright acetates, bold torts, and vibrant metals take their turn in the spotlight. Now, Cloud Dancer brings in something different: the quiet statement frame.
Picture this in your board: • Matte white titanium in soft geometric shapes • Warm white acetate with polished edges • Subtle laminated whites paired with gold or champagne metal temples • Oversized but weightless-feeling sculpted acetates
These look high-end, clean, and architectural, exactly the kind of styling that elevates a patient’s look without overwhelming them. Cloud Dancer gives opticians a chance to reintroduce white frames in a new, elegant way.
(Frame: Marchon, Linda Farrow, Boyd Explorer Sunglasses)
Why Patients Will Love It
Patients today aren’t just choosing eyewear, they’re choosing identity. Cloud Dancer fits beautifully with current lifestyle trends: • Minimalism without feeling cold • Sustainability-focused shopping, white suggests purity and simplicity • Calming neutrals that pair with everything from denim to tailored workwear
This shade also photographs beautifully, and as we know, patients love taking a selfie in their new glasses. A clean white frame pops on camera without being flashy.
Retail & Dispensary Opportunities
Opticians and optical store owners can have fun with this trend, not just in frames, but in merchandising and branding.
Suzanne Sendel Agency, Coco and Breezy, Lucy
Consider: • A Cloud Dancer–themed display wall • White props and acrylics to make colourful frames stand out • Styling cards featuring soft-white backgrounds • A “Color of the Year” window feature that highlights the trend
EssilorLuxottica, Moncler, 0ME8015U
A warm white backdrop naturally draws the eye to the eyewear itself. As the owner of Quality Optical, I’ve seen firsthand how small colour cues in merchandising shift patient perception and elevate the perceived value of the collection.
Lens Technology Meets Style
White frames pair exceptionally well with: • light tints (rose, champagne, grey-green) • gradient sun tints • blue-light filters • mirrored coatings
(Frame: Claudia Alan, AYA Optical, River)
The contrast between a Cloud Dancer frame and a warm-toned lens can create a sophisticated, fashion-forward look, especially appealing to younger buyers and multifocal wearers looking to refresh their style.
A Colour That Resets the Mood
Cloud Dancer represents clarity, softness, and a fresh start. And our patients feel this. They’re coming in looking for simplicity, calm, and items that work with their busy lives. This colour supports the shift toward mindful, intentional design.
And honestly, after the last few years, a colour that feels like a breath of fresh air is exactly what our industry needs.
Final Thoughts
Cloud Dancer isn’t just a paint-chip shade. It’s a moment. A mood. A soft reset for eyewear styling as we move into 2026.
For opticians, it’s an opportunity to: • refresh displays • introduce softer neutral frames • guide patients toward a new, clean aesthetic • bring warmth and simplicity back into fashion conversations
Eyewear doesn’t have to shout to make an impact. Sometimes the most powerful statement is the quiet one. Cloud Dancer reminds us of that.
About the Author:
Shan Khan, RO
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.
Want to see more articles like this? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazine and newsletters!
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
The winners of the 2026 NOW Awards by Vision Expo were revealed on March 12 in Orlando during Vision Expo 2026. Honouring excellence in eyewear design and innovation, the awards recognized leading brands, designers, and emerging talent across seven categories.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
The winners of the 2026 NOW Awards by Vision Expo were revealed on March 12 in Orlando during Vision Expo 2026. Honouring excellence in eyewear design and innovation, the awards recognized leading brands, designers, and emerging talent across seven categories.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
The winners of the 2026 NOW Awards by Vision Expo were revealed on March 12 in Orlando during Vision Expo 2026. Honouring excellence in eyewear design and innovation, the awards recognized leading brands, designers, and emerging talent across seven categories.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
The winners of the 2026 NOW Awards by Vision Expo were revealed on March 12 in Orlando during Vision Expo 2026. Honouring excellence in eyewear design and innovation, the awards recognized leading brands, designers, and emerging talent across seven categories.
