Most of the 45 million contact lens wearers in the United States practice at least some behaviors that put them at risk for serious eye infections, according to a recent report from the CDC. One third of lens wearers who responded to the study’s survey recalled never hearing any lens care recommendations from their eye doctor, even though most clinicians reported sharing recommendations always or most of the time. So, despite the educational efforts going on in the exam rooms, the importance of lens care isn’t always getting through.

Research continues to show that most serious complications are linked to modifiable behaviors such as overnight wear without approval, water exposure, and poor case hygiene. “Some of the most common problems happen because patients are trying to save time or money,” says Teresa Narayan, OD, in the RCCL piece quoted above.

Contact Lens Institute (CLI) addressed the compliance problem most recently by updating The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You), its initiative that helps the eye care community discuss healthy contact lens wear-and-care routines with patients.

Use these new free assets to boost patient education: a one-sheet infographic, social media designs, animated GIF, YouTube shorts, and even a staff quiz for your practice. All digital graphics are available in five languages.

The Center for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) is another great spot for patient education handouts on a host of contact lens-related topics. Here’s a few that caught my eye:

• Can Kids Wear Contact Lenses? A Guide for Parents
• Inserting a Contact Lens: A Guide for Children (Includes step-by-step photos and problems/solutions. There’s a separate guide for removing contact lenses.)
• Unexpected All-Nighter? Don’t Be Casual with your Contact Lenses
• Eye Makeup Tips for People Who Wear Soft Contact Lenses

The CDC offers a few one-sheets here: Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care

The AOA and CDC partnered on a one-minute-long, shareable YouTube video: 9 Healthy Contact Lens Habits

Further recommended resources:

How Can We Better Inform Patients of the Importance of Contact Lens Compliance?: Current Perspectives, Clinical Optometry

Contact Lens Rule Compliance Toolkit for ODs, AOA

Here’s an interesting discussion in r/Chempros about wearing contact lenses in a lab setting. And I’ll include the most recent CDC guidance on contact lens use in a chemical environment. Historically, labs would prohibit contact lenses entirely because of the belief that lenses could trap chemicals against the eye, but modern research doesn’t support a blanket ban. The most important rule: Lenses are not eye protection.

The post Contact Lens Patient Education Resources appeared first on Optometry 411.

In today’s evolving optometric landscape, contact lenses represent far more than a transactional product. They are an opportunity for practices to differentiate, strengthen patient loyalty, and reclaim margin through exclusive, practice-only offerings.

ONLY Contact Lenses address the need for:

Independent ODs to compete
Quality product exclusive to independent practices
No subscription fees, share programs, or gross revenue share required

ONLY Contact Lenses are designed to provide:

Quality contact lenses for patients
Retention and loyalty of patients
Profitability for practice

An Exclusive Brand by a Trusted Manufacturer

It’s reported that 62% of patients purchase contact lenses outside of the practice where they receive their eye examination. While many ODs have given up on contact lens retention and profitability, ONLY was engineered to bring those patients and profits back to the practice. With a trusted contact lens manufacturer behind the technology, the ONLY for ODs solution helps insulate your practice from prescriptions migrating to e-commerce and big retail. This exclusive contact lens delivers comfort and visual performance while addressing patient retention and practice profit.

Increasing Profitability Without Compromising Care

From a practice management perspective, an exclusive brand provided at competitive wholesale prices to Eyecare Republic (ECR) members restores pricing control and reintroduces attractive margins. Because ONLY is not widely distributed, practices are less constrained by low advertised pricing pressures and aggressive online discounting. This allows for healthier margins while maintaining fair value for patients. In short, member-only contact lens brands like ONLY aren’t just a product, they’re a strategic business decision. ONLY provides your practice with immediate potential revenue growth and long-term stability through higher lifetime patient value and reduced revenue volatility. When implemented thoughtfully, it increases patient retention, loyalty, trust, and profitability all at the same time, positioning your practice for long-term growth in an increasingly competitive market.

Consumers Are Excited to Try NEW Private Label Brands

In the consumer products industry, private labels or exclusive brands generate over $238 billion in sales, and that has grown 273% in the last 15 years as more consumers look for value and quality combined. As a result of social media and consumer retention strategies by major retail companies, the perception of private label products continues to be elevated, especially with the younger generation. In a recent study by PDG Insights, roughly 70% of consumers between the ages of 18-40 responded that they are “excited to try new private label products” (cited from Diana Sheehan in Beyond Value: How Private Label is Winning Over Consumers).

Currently, the private label brands offered to independent ODs are owned or tied to large optical corporations who charge hefty monthly membership fees and/or who are selling the exact same brands in their competing retail locations. When is exclusive really exclusive?  When taking inventory of all the brands an average OD has in their practice, how many are available at LensCrafters, Pearle, Sunglass Hut, Costco, or Visionworks across the street?  ONLY One-Day Contact Lenses redefines exclusivity and is not tied to any of the Optical Titans that have consolidated this industry.

For more information about Eyecare Republic and free membership, please contact Rita Shallin, director of membership, at rshallin@eyecarerepublic.com or 203-451-1525 — or visit www.eyecarerepublic.com.

ECR is launching its first member-only daily contact lenses in April to provide independent ODs with immediate potential revenue growth and long-term stability. For more information and to sign up for access to the ECR member-exclusive daily contact lens, please visit ONLY.

By James DeBois, president of JSJD Media, which partners with Eyecare Republic to support independent ECPs.

The post Exclusive Eyecare Republic Brand Coming for Members — ONLY™ One-Day Contact Lenses appeared first on Optometry 411.

Pharmacologic treatments for presbyopia promise to give patients freedom and flexibility in the midst of busy careers and active lifestyles. They’re non-invasive, they’re adjustable, and they offer help in transitioning between near, intermediate, and distance vision. But patients miss the boat if optometrists don’t discuss it with them. Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, called it out at CIME 2025 to Optometry Times:

Some of the barriers that patients run into with regards to pharmacologic correction and presbyopia … I think one of the biggest ones is their providers. It’s actually the doctors not knowing what options are out there with regards to pharmacologic correction and how those pharmacologic options might benefit their patients in their chairs. So furthering their education, embracing new things … I think that’s the biggest thing and the biggest barrier to patients getting access to these options.

Who are the best candidates?

Presbyopia drops tend to work best for patients who meet most of the following criteria:

• Early to moderate presbyopia, where near blur is present but not yet constant across all tasks
• Stable distance vision, whether emmetropic or well corrected with spectacles or contact lenses
• Patients seeking situational near-vision support for workdays, social events, or travel
• Post-refractive surgery patients who have good distance outcomes but are frustrated by the onset of presbyopia

Patients with significant cataracts, retinal pathology, or severe dry eye are not ideal candidates. Pupil size, while a factor, isn’t as critical as motivation and ocular health. Also at CIME 2025, Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, emphasized that it’s less about the perfect measurement and more about the patient’s willingness to try something new.

Drops can complement progressive lenses or monovision or multifocal contact lenses. And as bulleted above, they can support post-surgery patients or those seeking a temporary boost. McGee urged ODs to educate patients on combining options based on their lifestyle needs.

Here’s important context from Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, in his deep dive on presbyopia eye drops (which we recommend reading).

Presbyopia drops aim to restore near vision by targeting the size of the pupil and thus inducing an extended depth of focus. A very important and distinct feature to note is that we are not inducing accommodation; thus, there is not an enlargement of text on the page or screen, as you would experience wearing readers, for instance. When patients who have myopia look through a progressive lens or multifocal contact lens, they are magnifying the image. Presbyopia drops do not have the same magnifying effect and therefore, as with any new treatment, they have an adaptation curve. There is, and will be, an adaptive period that is needed to allow the visual system to align with these new modalities.

Available and emerging drops

Current options:

Vuity (pilocarpine 1.25%)

• The first FDA-approved presbyopia drop (2021)
• Works by inducing miosis to increase depth of field
• Uses a proprietary rapid pH-shifting mechanism (pHast) designed to enhance absorption
• Onset: ~15 minutes, duration: up to 6 hours
• Common side effects: Headache, brow ache, eye redness, and reduced night vision due to pupil constriction
• No ocular surface lubricant in the formulation, which might contribute to stinging or burning on instillation, especially in patients with dry eye
• See Vuity prescribing information

Qlosi (pilocarpine 0.4%)

• FDA-approved in 2023
• Also induces miosis via pilocarpine
• Lower pilocarpine concentration → fewer side effects (and slower onset but greater comfort on instillation)
• Onset: ~20–30 minutes, duration: up to 6 hours
• Soothing vehicle formulation helps support the ocular surface
• Ideal for those who experienced discomfort with higher concentrations
• See Qlosi prescribing information

Another CIME 2025 attendee, Neda Shamie, MD, pointed out, “This new drop is really a two-in-one solution. It provides the visual benefits of pilocarpine while also supporting the ocular surface, which is often compromised in this demographic.”

Vizz (aceclidine ophthalmic solution) 1.44%

• FDA-approved in August 2025
• Uses aceclidine, a pupil-selective cholinergic agent, to induce miosis and increase depth of field
• Designed to limit ciliary muscle stimulation compared with pilocarpine-based drops
• Dose: Once daily using two sequential drops per eye from a single-dose vial
• Onset: ~30 minutes, duration: up to 10 hours
• See Vizz prescribing information

Yuvezzi (carbachol 2.75% / brimonidine tartrate 0.1%)

• FDA-approved in January 2026
• Fixed-dose combination of a cholinergic agonist (carbachol) and an alpha-adrenergic agonist (brimonidine)
• Designed to induce miosis and increase depth of field while moderating some miotic-related effects through combination therapy
• Dose: Once daily
• Onset: ~30 minutes, duration: 8–10 hours
• See Yuvezzi prescribing information

Recommended read: For a deeper dive into clinical implications of currently available drops, including ophthalmologist commentary, check out Options for Presbyopia Treatment Continue to Evolve, Healio

In the pipeline:

Current development in the presbyopia pipeline are focused less on expanding the field and more on refining durability, tolerability, and delivery. Here’s a few notables:

• Nyxol (phentolamine 0.75%) uses a different mechanism — alpha blockers — to modulate pupil size, with Phase III data reporting significant near-vision improvement and extended duration
• Microdosed delivery systems (such as Eyenovia’s MicroLine) are in development, using established pharmacologic agents delivered in smaller, more precise volumes
• Lens-softening agents (including LX-OPH-162) are also under investigation, although earlier in development as a non-miotic approach

A note on barriers:

Many of these newer therapies still lack long-term efficacy data. What has also become more explicit in newer clinical commentary is that the category lives or dies on patient experience. That includes headache rates, dimming complaints, redness, and night driving concerns, especially because these drops are elective, cash-pay treatments.

On the provider side, we expect some will wait to see which brands rise to the top. That, combined with a desire to wait for post-market experience, will likely be the main factors slowing widespread use.

This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not substitute for clinical judgment. Treatment decisions should be based on individual patient needs, professional guidelines, and a comprehensive clinical evaluation.

The post A Practical Guide to Presbyopia Drops [UPDATED] appeared first on Optometry 411.

So assuming most of your patients have done some form of prior searching — what’s the best way to handle that? Good old emotional intelligence. It’s also helpful to make a distinction between pre-visit research (understandable, relatable) and diagnostic fixation (potentially problematic).

How should you respond when The Internet enters the exam room?

Sometimes the explanation they’ve landed on is incomplete. Sometimes it’s flat-out wrong. Sometimes, to be fair, they’ve nailed it. Still, whenever a patient brings up what they’ve read online, it’s natural to want to shut it down with warnings about Dr. Google.

But the best way to approach things chairside is taking a beat to acknowledge their research efforts … without endorsing their conclusions. And always keep the focus on your clinical reasoning:

I can see why that explanation made sense based on the symptoms you’re describing. Let me walk you through what I’m seeing and how it compares.

That kind of response brings your expertise to the fore without making a patient feel bad for trying to understand their own symptoms.

Plus, these days, more and more people are aware of the general pitfalls of symptom searches. It’s reasonable to offer a gentle reminder that online information can get overwhelming fast. A low-key acknowledgment of that reality helps take the edge off and keeps the exam moving forward.

Should you recommend credible online sources?

Certainly, just be selective about it. Patients are going to keep reading regardless. Recommending a specific resource or a small number of reputable sources can help point them to information that’s accurate and less alarmist.

If you want to read more about this, I can point you to a few sources that line up with what we see clinically. Just keep in mind that they’re meant to add context, not replace what we’re seeing today.

And if you notice the same questions or conditions coming up again and again, it’s worth creating an in-house handout that addresses those topics directly and shares how your practice approaches them.

What if the patient’s “research” is obviously wrong?

This is where a visit can go downhill.

When you hear information that’s clearly wrong, it’s tempting to correct it swiftly and shut it down. But that approach can do a couple things: 1) It has the chance of starting a debate. 2) Patients who feel embarrassed or dismissed may be less receptive to what you’re saying, or may leave without really buying into your recommendations.

A more effective approach is to explain why certain claims circulate and what you would expect to see if they were accurate:

That explanation comes up a lot online, but if it worked the way it’s described, I’d be seeing different changes here. What I’m seeing points us in a different direction.

Again, you’re taking a beat to separate their research efforts from their conclusion. It’s not about shaming them for looking something up. It’s about correcting the misinformation, but doing so calmly. And, importantly, you’re doing it through explained observation and reasoning rather than white-coat authority alone.

You ultimately want patients to understand why your assessment carries more weight than a search result, and the best way to do so is to show them what you’re looking for, what you’re ruling out, and why.

Sidebar: Front desk staff often hear these concerns first, especially on phone calls. Support your team by helping them establish some phrases they can use during these kinds of calls. Here are a few examples that warmly redirect patients towards next steps — without confirming or dismissing what they may have read/seen:

• That’s something the doctor looks at pretty often. They’ll be able to give you a clearer answer once they’ve examined your eyes.
• A lot of patients call with similar concerns. The exam will give the doctor what they need to explain it clearly.
• The best way to get a straight answer on that is to have the doctor take a look. We can get you scheduled so they can walk through what you’ve been reading about.

More on this topic: Eyetube video on “How to (Respectfully) Correct a Patient“

The post When Patients Bring Internet Diagnoses: How To Handle It Gracefully appeared first on Optometry 411.

Each guideline listing includes the issuing organization and the date of the most recent update, so you can quickly gauge how current the information is before diving in — although an older date doesn’t mean it’s unhelpful. Regarding the glaucoma section, RO notes “many of the older reports will not reflect the current scientific literature, [but] you may nevertheless find them worthwhile to review, especially on topics such as anatomy and pathophysiology, which are less likely to become outdated by advances in technology.”

You’ll find linked resources from the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, International Myopia Institute, Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society, World Glaucoma Association, and several international specialty societies.

RO notes that the index will continue to be updated as new guidelines are released, with plans to expand coverage as additional expert bodies publish recommendations. You can also share feedback if there are specific documents or sources you’d like to see added.

See the full directory here: Index of Clinical Guidelines for Optometrists

The post A New Way To Find Evidence-Based Optometric Guidelines appeared first on Optometry 411.

Step 1: Communicate the absence internally

Perhaps obvious, but your absence should be clearly documented on the schedule and communicated to front desk and clinical staff. When your time away isn’t visible, staff might even assume you’re simply tied up and will be available later.

Furthermore, your team should know whether you’re fully unavailable or reachable only for limited situations. Any exceptions should be specific.

Step 2: Define clinical coverage and escalation

Before you leave, it’s important your team understands which situations require immediate clinical review and who is responsible for handling those. In a multi-provider practice, it may be as simple as assigning another OD. In a solo practice, there will need to be triage criteria in place and follow-ups scheduled for when you’re back.

Step 3: Set refill and follow-up parameters

Refill requests and follow-up questions continue while you’re away, and staff may be unsure whether to proceed or defer without confirmation. It can only help to reaffirm (before leaving) that existing standing orders and refill policies remain in effect, and that any requests falling outside those parameters should be flagged for review on return.

Step 4: Plan for your return

This step often determines whether being away feels manageable or disruptive, and it’s an easy one to handwave. But if no review time is set aside, that necessary work tends to spill into patient time over the next few days, potentially leaving you scrambling.

When possible, it helps to intentionally build in a short window to review messages and touch base with your team. In practice, this often looks like:

• Blocking the first 30 to 60 minutes of the return day for review
• Asking staff to debrief you on unresolved patient issues that were deferred during your absence

Try these steps the next time you’re out of office — Vision Expo in March maybe? See if it doesn’t improve stress levels all around.

The post How To Take Time Off Without Paying for It Later appeared first on Optometry 411.

Of course, some night driving symptoms are due to underlying ocular or neural factors — IOL optics, corneal irregularity, retinal health, mesopic pupil behavior — that may not respond meaningfully to lens-based solutions. Even so, patients often look to their OD for guidance on what can realistically improve night driving comfort.

Today, Optometry 411 looks at the brands and categories worth knowing about as you help patients navigate the lens-based options available.

ZEISS DriveSafe

ZEISS DriveSafe is one of the more established driving-specific lens designs and a common reference point for ODs, and it is sometimes presented as an everyday lens with driving benefits rather than a dedicated night-driving pair. It’s a clear lens paired with an AR coating tuned to reduce perceived glare from headlights, streetlights, and reflective road surfaces.

Hoya EnRoute 

Hoya’s EnRoute family takes a tiered approach. The standard EnRoute lens is designed for low-light clarity and comfort without adding a tint.

The EnRoute Pro version introduces a contrast filter that can be helpful in certain driving conditions, but because it reduces light transmission, it is better framed as a daytime or mixed-use solution. Being able to explain that distinction helps patients avoid choosing the Pro version for the wrong reason.

Shamir Driver Intelligence Moon lenses

Shamir Driver Intelligence Moon is a newer entry in the category of clear, optics-based lenses designed specifically for night driving. The lens is developed using data-driven optical modeling, including AI-based analysis during the design process. Development was in collaboration with the BWT Alpine F1 Team, which makes for an interesting talking point.

Premium AR lenses that aren’t specifically for driving

Some ODs prefer to stick with high-quality AR stacks rather than specialty driving designs. These aren’t night lenses per se, but they do aim to cut down on ghosting, halos, and distracting reflections that become more noticeable after dark.

A few that come up often:

ZEISS DuraVision Platinum
Essilor Crizal Sapphire HR
Hoya Hi-Vision LongLife AR
Nikon SeeCoat Bright

These could appeal to patients who want durability and all-day performance, with improved nighttime comfort as a secondary benefit rather than a primary feature.

Yellow or amber “night driving glasses” 

Yellow-tinted glasses are probably the most heavily marketed night driving products in the consumer space. A quick search on Reddit, for example, shows users overwhelmingly suggesting yellow-tinted lenses to each other, usually to combat the aforementioned glare from bright headlights in oncoming traffic. A few name brands beyond the multitude of generic online options: Rx-Safety Halo, Eagle Eyes, NoIR, Night Rider.

The key point to emphasize here is that these tints reduce overall light transmission. Most wearers don’t consciously register the loss of ambient light. What they do notice is softer headlights. Openly acknowledging this distinction/tradeoff in your patient conversations is a good idea.

Where yellow tints are most defensible:

• Well-lit urban driving
• Dusk or early evening conditions
• Patients whose primary complaint is discomfort rather than object detection

Where they are least appropriate:

• Rural or poorly lit roads
• Older patients with reduced contrast sensitivity

Clip-ons and fitovers

As with yellow-lens glasses, clip-ons and fitovers are widely available and inexpensive, but again, they aren’t the strongest overall performers for nighttime vision because of the tint. Brands patients might mention include Cocoons, Solar Shield, Fitover USA.

Zenni NeoContrast

We’re mentioning NeoContrast lenses separately because they appear nearly clear. They use a mild contrast-enhancing filter rather than a heavy tint, which is why they present differently than the saturated yellow we’ve come to expect. That said, even mild spectral filtering reduces overall light transmission to some degree, so it’s worth a conversation about the tradeoffs.

Recommended read: Optometry Times has insights on identifying nighttime visibility difficulty

Photochromic options, with important nuances

Photochromic lenses frequently come up in conversations about driving, but they are not designed to improve nighttime vision. Some newer options do activate behind the windshield, which can be helpful for daytime or dusk driving. Examples include Transitions XTRActive and Hoya Sensity Dark, both of which provide behind-the-windshield activation and deeper tinting in bright conditions. Transitions Drivewear is polarized and optimized specifically for daytime driving.

These lenses can be useful for commuters who drive in changing light, but they should not be positioned as solutions for nighttime glare or low-light visibility.

Non-optical factors

An important aside: Vehicle-related factors can also contribute to glare and reduced visibility. Might be worth mentioning to patients that cleaning the inside and outside of their windshield regularly can make a noticeable difference. Dim the interior/dash lights as much as possible. Fresh wiper blades can help, too.

The post Options To Explore for Patients Struggling With Night Driving appeared first on Optometry 411.

Notes: A few of the events in the back half of 2026 are TBD on details. We’ll update as appropriate and reshare to keep you in the loop. We’d also recommend subscribing to our weekly newsletter, which always includes a list of virtual CE sessions on a variety of topics.

JANUARY 2026

Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) 2026
Dates: January 7 – 10, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

GSLS focuses on the latest innovations in specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses, ortho-K, and myopia management. Attendees can benefit from workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with global experts.

Island Eyes Conference 2026
Dates: January 18 – 24, 2026
Location: Waimea, Hawaii

Hosted by Pacific University, this conference offers up to 30 COPE-accredited hours of continuing education, featuring renowned educators and a half-day schedule to allow attendees to enjoy Hawaii’s attractions.

The Vision Council 2026 Executive Summit
Dates: January 26 – 28, 2026
Location: Amelia Island, Florida

A posh event that brings together industry leaders for several days of high-level networking and leadership development. This year’s gathering, themed “Vision 2030,” boasts programming designed to inspire and equip you not only for the coming year, but to streamline your strategy for the next five.

MIDO Eyewear Show 2026
Dates: January 31 – February 2, 2026
Location: Milan, Italy

MIDO is one of the world’s largest international eyewear trade shows, featuring over 1,200 exhibitors and attendees from more than 160 countries. You can expect to see the latest eyewear collections, technological innovations, and industry trends.

FEBRUARY 2026

Eyeball Palm Springs 2026
Date: February 19 – 22, 2026
Location: Palm Springs, California

Here’s a chic, curated event combining eyewear fashion, creativity, and continuing education. Brett Cates, co-creator, is “deeply passionate about independent eyewear and the rejection of corporate influence in both art and eyewear.”

EnVision Summit 2026
Dates: February 13 – 16, 2026
Location: Río Grande, Puerto Rico

This summit is intentionally family-friendly and offers continuing education in ophthalmology and optometry, featuring clinical discussions, mentoring, and research collaborations.

Tropical CE: St. Lucia
Dates: February 14 – 21, 2026
Location: St. Lucia

Learn and unwind at an adults-only luxury retreat on St. Lucia’s Caribbean coast, with breathtaking views of mountains, sunsets, and volcanic beaches. Tropical CE offers destination education administered under the auspices of the Rosenberg School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word. The University reviews and endorses all course materials, speakers, and presentations. See other 2026 Tropical CE destinations here.

SECO 2026
Dates: February 25 – March 1, 2026
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

SECO 2026 is a premier event for optometry professionals, covering the latest in laser and surgical applications, aesthetics, artificial intelligence, patient care, and practice success. Attendees can earn over 40 hours of CE throughout the event.

MARCH 2026

The Frame Affair 2026
Dates: March 5 – 7, 2026
Location: New York City, New York

Curated as “a luxury art gallery,” this eyewear show creates a space where independent designers and visionary artisans converge to showcase the finest in eyewear craftsmanship. Think immersive brand storytelling, upscale cuisine and drinks, and a luxury fashion show. Registration is free.

EYECON 2026
Dates: March 6 – 8, 2026
Location: New York City, New York

EYECON is another luxury eyewear show in NYC this week. Exclusive product launches, trend insights, creative exhibitions, and engaging panel discussions will explore innovations shaping the eyewear industry.

Vision Expo 2026
Dates: March 11 – 14, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida

Where eyewear, education, fashion, and innovation mingle. Join eyecare professionals, buyers, influencers, and technology leaders in Orlando (remember: Vision Expo consolidated East and West and this is now the sole event for the year). Tip: Also consider the 2026 VM Leadership Summit happening in Orlando on 3/11.

AOA on Capitol Hill | AOA Federal Keypersons Summit
Dates: March 15 – 17, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.

The American Optometric Association’s annual advocacy event moves to March in 2026. This event includes advocacy training, legislative briefings, and opportunities to make a direct impact on policy. The dynamic and focused summit is intended to leverage AOA Federal Keyperson relationships with their U.S. Senate and House members. You might also consider the Aesthetics & Practice Growth Workshop, which the AOA will be hosting in D.C. at this time, too.

New Technologies and Treatments in Eye Care Spring 2026
Dates: March 27– 28, 2026
Location: Carlsbad, California

The most up-to-date research, clinical insights, and technologies shaping the future of eye care. Distinguished faculty will deliver engaging sessions on dry eye, ocular surface disease, refractive management, glaucoma, and retina, along with other emerging challenges and innovations in clinical practice. Join for interactive Q&A sessions, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and networking opportunities.

APRIL 2026

20th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care
Date: April 19, 2026
Location: Los Angeles, California

This meeting’s goal is to encourage a dialogue between ODs and ophthalmic surgeons in order to optimize patient care. The meeting brings together top optometry and surgical ophthalmology experts to share clinical insights and advances in eye care, allowing learners to update their diagnostic, monitoring, and disease management and practice management skills. Topics will include updates in neovascular age-related macular degeneration, dry eye disease, presbyopia, and diabetic macular edema.

MAY 2026

OEC Abroad
Dates: May 20 – 22, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

While outstanding clinical education is important, Optometric Education Consultants feels that the experience is just as important. They design conferences to allow attendees flexibility in getting continuing education (15 hours in three days) and the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding area. See other OEC 2026 destination CE locations here.

JUNE 2026

International Congress of Scleral Contacts (ICSC) 2026
Dates: June 5 – 6, 2026
Location: San Diego, California

ICSC 2026 offers interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and educational tracks tailored for both experienced and new scleral lens practitioners. Tackle the most perplexing challenges and broach emerging scleral lens trends.

Optometry’s Meeting 2026
Dates: June 17 – 20, 2026
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Optometry’s Meeting is the annual event for AOA & AOSA members, with all manner of education, innovative and future-looking conversations, career development, and leadership opportunities. Welcoming of optometrists, paraoptometric professionals, and optometry students alike.

JULY 2026

CE in the Rockies
Dates: July 9 – 12, 2026
Location: Estes Park, Colorado

Join the University of Houston College of Optometry for an unforgettable continuing education conference with a view. Earn essential CE credits while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

2026 NOA National Convention
Dates: July 8 – 12, 2026
Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Optometrists, students, and industry leaders come together for 14 hours of continuing education, invaluable networking, and engaging social experiences — all designed to advance eye care in underserved communities.

AUGUST 2026

AACO Annual Conference
Dates: August 21 – 22, 2026
Location: Amelia Island, Florida

The American Association of Corporate Optometrists will host two days of CE, networking with corporate optometrists just like you, and 22+ exhibitors. More details to come!

OEC Northern Escape
Dates: August 21 – 23, 2026
Location: Quebec, Canada

While outstanding clinical education is important, Optometric Education Consultants feels that the experience is just as important. They design conferences to allow attendees flexibility in getting continuing education (15 hours in three days) and the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding area. See other OEC 2026 destination CE locations here.

SEPTEMBER 2026

SILMO PARIS
Dates: September 25 – 28, 2026
Location: Paris, France

The post Top Optometry Conferences in 2026 appeared first on Optometry 411.

Aesthetics has been getting more and more attention in optometry, especially as ODs fold IPL, RF, and lid-health treatments into their dry eye services. And noninvasive aesthetic care is part of a much larger U.S. market valued at about $20.8 billion. With that kind of growth, it’s easy to see why some practices are thinking about adding such services as a cash-pay addition.

But where to start? This Q&A is designed to walk you through the foundational questions to ask before adding ocular aesthetic or medical-spa services. It’s helpful if you’re already running a dry eye clinic or if you’re starting with almost no familiarity with the aesthetics space.

What falls under ocular aesthetic services, and where would I even begin?

A common entry point is IPL and RF, which are already well-established in managing MGD and ocular rosacea but also provide cosmetic benefits like skin tightening or reduced redness.

Another typical first step is to enhance your existing lid-hygiene protocols with products or in-office debridement tools. It’s a cautious approach that can help you understand workflow and pricing strategies without major investment.

More advanced services like microneedling, peels, or injectables require significantly more training and regulatory considerations, so it’s reasonable to save those decisions for later.

In a helpful piece recently published by Optometric Management, Janelle Davidson, OD, proposes you evaluate offering aesthetic optometry by breaking it down into these 3 buckets:

1. Fundamental eye spa. This option required me to invest between $100,000 to $150,000 for equipment and overhead. Services under this bucket include skin health product recommendations, nutritional supplements for aging support, therapeutic cosmetic products, and treatments, such as IPL and radiofrequency therapy. Staffing for this bucket typically requires 1 additional team member to manage spa inventory, and treatments that can be delegated.

2. Intermediate eye spa. This level enables optometrists to provide all the services available in the fundamental eye spa, while fostering collaborations with aestheticians, lash, and makeup artists. Offerings here include lash extensions, hydrofacials, dermaplaning, professional makeup sessions, and chemical peels.

3. Advanced eye spa. These services may include neurotoxin injections (such as botulinum toxin), microneedling with radiofrequency, and CO2 laser-resurfacing around the eyes. Although this level demands greater investment in staff and equipment, it offers substantial revenue potential. (Source: Offering Ocular Aesthetics)

How do I know whether my practice identity can support aesthetics?

Think about how new services will fit into the way patients already see you. If your practice is known for dry eye, advanced tech, or specialty care, aesthetics could be seen as a natural extension. On the other hand, if you’re better known for routine exams or family care, you may want to ease into things more slowly (or even create a separate brand identity).

Ultimately, what matters is clarity. Your patients need to understand where medical care ends and elective services begin.

Will my current patient base support this?

You can get a quick sense by reviewing your patient mix. A large dry-eye population, high contact-lens wearers, frequent MGD cases, or many adults over age 40 often indicate strong potential for interest. Dr. Davidson found “communities comprised of a balanced mix of older millennials, Generation X, and baby boomers” tend to be more interested. Ask questions directly (or on intake forms) to help you determine interest.

If most of your patients are young, budget-conscious or highly insurance-driven, demand may be lower. It doesn’t mean ocular aesthetics is off the table, but it might require new outreach or targeted marketing rather than relying on internal referrals.

What kind of training do I need?

Even if you choose a relatively intuitive device, you and your team will need focused education. COPE-approved ocular aesthetics programs exist specifically for ODs and include hands-on labs for IPL, RF, microneedling, and related techniques. Look to conference courses for vetted options.

Training is important for safety and for confidence in patient selection. Knowing who is an ideal candidate — or who isn’t — protects you and paves the way for successful outcomes.

Are there state-specific rules I need to understand?

Definitely. Regulations vary widely. Some states allow ODs to perform IPL, RF or other energy-based treatments directly. But others require physician collaboration or limit what support staff can do, even under supervision.

Before buying any device, you should confirm:
• who can legally perform each procedure
• what documentation or consent you need
• whether your malpractice coverage includes aesthetic services
• whether the procedure counts as medical or cosmetic for state purposes

This step alone prevents costly missteps down the line.

What should I be looking for when evaluating devices?

This is where many ODs feel overwhelmed. A practical approach can help. Here’s three criteria:

1. Clinical evidence
Look to devices with published data in ocular surface disease, MGD, or periorbital treatments. Not all IPL or RF systems are designed for eyelids.

2. The numbers
Beyond the list price of the device, you have to consider consumables, maintenance fees, and how many treatments you realistically expect per month.

3. Workflow fit
Some devices require more space, longer appointments, or extended cooldown times that will impact scheduling. Others are designed for quicker use. It’s important to understand the logistics.

Keep in mind that you can get started without a large suite of aesthetic equipment; one well-chosen device can carry a new program through its first year.

For those ready to speak to a vendor, we’ve prepared a handy list of questions/topics you’ll want answered before making any final decisions.

What’s a reasonable financial expectation for year one?

Industry benchmarks suggest that a basic eye spa setup, as detailed by Dr. Davidson in the quote box up top, typically requires an initial investment in the low six-figure range. But the revenue potential can be strong, particularly if your patient base already fits the bill.

A simple ROI model helps. Estimate the number of dry-eye or MGD patients who may convert to IPL or RF. Then layer in elective cosmetic interest. Compare that potential volume against monthly payments, disposables, and staff time.

Recommended read: How to Build Aesthetic Optometry Services Comprising 30% of Practice Revenues

How will these services affect my daily operations?

Expect to make adjustments to scheduling and staff roles. As for patient flow, some practices create dedicated blocks for aesthetics.

You’ll also likely need to add short educational consults and incorporate before-and-after photos in discussions. And your team will need to learn how to discuss elective service pricing comfortably — a distinct skill set!

What should I do first if I’m seriously considering this?

Step 1: Audit your patient base. Look at your dry-eye numbers, lid-disease cases, repeat visits, and demographics.

Step 2: Attend a hands-on training. Even one workshop can give you insight on whether aesthetics feels like a natural fit.

Step 3: Talk to vendors, but only after you know your goals. Use our list of questions to make informed purchasing decisions.

The post OD Due Diligence: Considerations When Launching Ocular Aesthetics appeared first on Optometry 411.

What’s the context?

Lawmakers added provisions to address the confusion created by a previous DEA mandate requiring specific coursework for any clinician with a DEA registration. Because some state-developed CE courses did not meet federal standards, ODs practicing in those states faced the possibility of completing two versions of essentially the same training (one state, one federal). This new law allows the AOA to review and certify state-developed courses so they meet federal expectations, removing the risk of redundant requirements for optometrists.

AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, OD, said the update strengthens support for the profession. “This legislative win is a meaningful step forward for patient care and for the doctors of optometry who serve communities every day,” she said.

In their announcement, the AOA notes that to meet the DEA’s current eight-hour education requirement, doctors can continue to use the Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) “Substance Use Disorder 101 Core Curriculum” (developed by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry). The 23-module program offers an overview of evidence-based approaches to substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. Modules are free with registration, and the AOA advises ODs to select “other” and specify optometry when prompted for their profession.

The AOA is also preparing an optometry-specific course that will be available in the coming months. An in-person education offering will follow at Optometry’s Meeting 2026 (June 17 – 20 in Phoenix).

The post New Law Eases DEA Training Requirements for Optometrists appeared first on Optometry 411.