Optometric Management Magazine

Prevent Blindness is joining the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for World Sight Day on October 8, with activities that include vision screenings, educational programs, professional resources, and a new continuing education opportunity for optometrists, as well as continued advocacy in Congress. For optometrists, Children’s Wisconsin will launch its new “Safeguarding Sight: Pediatric Optometry Lecture Series” on October 8.

Lumenis has announced 3 additional dates for its 2026 Accelerate education series to extend the peer-to-peer program for eyecare professionals through the end of the year. Upcoming events are scheduled for September 25 to 27 in Nashville; November 13 to 15 in Scottsdale, Arizona; and December 4 to 6 in Miami. Earlier Accelerate events were held in Orlando, New York City, Newport Beach, California, and Chicago.

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) announced the appointment of Dr. Rob Nadler as senior vice president, business development and corporate strategy. Based in the United Kingdom, Dr. Nadler leads the company's global business development and corporate strategy team, helping advance strategic initiatives and evaluate opportunities that support the long-term growth of Bausch + Lomb's global eye health business.

A study among young women who regularly have eyelash extensions has found that most have tiny mites, called Demodex folliculorum, living on their lashes. These mites can cause a painful reaction in the skin called demodicosis. The research, presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS),1 also found that many of the women have symptoms of eye irritation and most have problems with meibomian glands.

Now in its 11th year, the World Sight Day Photo Competition invites photographers around the globe to share images that celebrate eye health and the role vision plays in everyday life. As part of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’ (IAPB) global #LoveYourEyes campaign, the competition helps raise awareness of eye health, amplify personal stories, and inspire action towards eye care for all.

Prevent Blindness announced that the 2027 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award will be presented to Reade Fahs, executive chairman, National Vision Holdings, Inc. The award recognizes an individual whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life.

SightGlass Vision announced that its DOT spectacle lenses for myopia control have won a Gold Stevie Award for Technology Breakthrough of the Year. Presented in the Healthcare Technology category at the 2026 Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, the award recognizes DOT lenses' novel contrast management approach to slowing myopia progression in children and was designated by judges as a "standout healthcare technology innovation,” according to a company press release.

The American Medical Association recently passed a resolution backing formal classification of nearsightedness (myopia) as a disease—including by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—to ensure children and adolescents have access to appropriate treatments and insurance coverage. The resolution also calls for increased public health education and improved screening in children. This new policy direction mirrors a global effort the American Academy of Ophthalmology launched back in 2021.

Alcon announced the initial commercial launch of the UnityM ophthalmic surgical microscope in select markets including the United States and Japan followed by Europe.The microscope is the latest addition to Alcon's Unity platform, combining advanced optics, novel illumination, improved ergonomics, and intuitive usability in a modular design that enables practice-specific customization and future scalability, the company said in a press release.

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals announced in a press release that the company has completed its previously announced acquisition of Alkeus Pharmaceuticals. With the completion of the acquisition, Tarsus adds worldwide rights to gildeuretinol (ALK-001), an investigational molecular entity designed to reduce the accumulation of toxic dimers while preserving the normal visual cycle.