World Council of Optometry Announces 2025 International Award Winners

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) announces the recipients of its prestigious international awards, recognizing individuals for their exceptional contributions to advancing optometry worldwide. These awards will be presented on June 26 during the Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry conference.

WCO Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Dr. Uduak Udom

Dr. Susan Cooper has been selected to receive the 2025 Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Dr. Uduak Udom. This award is the highest award that WCO can bestow and is given to an individual who, over time, has made outstanding contributions to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission.

Since earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1977, Dr. Cooper has been a dedicated leader in organized optometry. She was a founding member of the Vision Institute of Canada and served as the first woman president of the regulatory College of Optometrists of Ontario. Dr. Cooper served on faculty at the University of Waterloo as Director of their International Optometric Bridging Program and is currently a Board member of Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) USA and Board Chair of OGS Canada.

Dr. Cooper has been involved with WCO since 2006, serving first as a North American representative on the Board of Directors, followed by Chair of the Legislation, Registration, and Standards Committee, and ultimately as WCO President from 2011-2013. She also served as WCO Managing Director from 2018-2023.

“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me, as WCO has been and will always be my passion,” she shared. “I have been fortunate over the years to work with incredible teams of colleagues and staff whose dedication allows WCO to move forward and accomplish so much.”

WCO International Optometrist Award

Dr. Abraham Bromberg is the recipient of the WCO International Optometrist Award for his extraordinary contributions and commitment to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.

A leader in Mexican optometry for over 50 years, Dr. Bromberg received a Bachelor of Optometry from the National Polytechnic Institute (Instituto Politécnico Nacional) in Mexico City in 1967, earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from UC Berkeley in 1969 and an MSc in Physiologic Optics from the University of Houston in 1980. He has played a pivotal role in advancing optometry in Mexico and Latin America.

Dr. Bromberg has served as president for both the College of Optometrists of Mexico City and the Mexican Association of Faculties, Schools, Councils (AMFECCO). He is now president of the Consejo Optometría México, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting professional optometry through social media and continuing education. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including honors from the State of Puebla, State of Mexico, AMFECCO, and the Essilor Award for Outstanding International Contributions to Optometry from the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). He became a Member of the Berkeley Hall of Fame in 2023.

“We as optometrists have a responsibility to help people see better and to prevent diseases that may affect the eye or the body,” he stated.

Memorial Lecture in Honor of Ms. Karen Sparrow

WCO Sandra E. Wang-Harris, OD, MPH, FAAO

Dr. Sandra Wang-Harris has been chosen to deliver the Memorial Lecture in Honor of Ms. Karen Sparrow. This memorial lecture honors the memory of Ms. Karen Sparrow, a public health optometrist who devoted herself to addressing the needs of underserved populations and regions with limited access to eye care. Ms. Sparrow, a longtime WCO volunteer, exemplified the spirit, passion, and commitment to public health optometry that embodies the mission of WCO.

Dr. Wang-Harris earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University and a Master of Public Health degree from Walden University. In 1999, she established the first eye clinic for HIV-positive patients in Northern Alabama, USA, igniting her passion for working with underserved populations. She has worked in Nepal, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, East Timor (Timor Leste), The Gambia, Kazakhstan, and the Federated States of Micronesia. In 2024, she returned to the United States to serve as an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

Dr. Wang-Harris will present this lecture during the 5th World Congress of Optometry. “It is a great honor to be selected as the speaker for the Karen Sparrow Memorial Lecture,” she shared. “Karen’s life and work embodied true compassion, tirelessly giving of herself to those less fortunate. Her love for the optometry profession and her care for others, both at home and in distant lands, exemplify the spirit of a true humanitarian optometrist.”

Those attending the Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry conference are encouraged to attend this lecture on June 26, 2025 (Thursday, 3:00 p.m. local time) at Room 211B of the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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April 8, 2025April 7, 2025

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

For the 10^th time,ClearVision Optical has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management, Best Companies Group, and Rochester Business Journal. ClearVision is one of a dozen similarly sized companies to have earned a spot on the Best Companies list 10 or more times.

ClearVision Best Company to Work for in NY 10th time

“We are immensely delighted to learn of our Best Companies selection again this year and are super jazzed to hit 10 years of culture-winning success,” said Jennifer Trakhtenberg, chief people officer and co-chief operating officer at ClearVision. “Having a high standard of workplace excellence and engagement has made a meaningful difference in building high performing teams. Our unique combination as a values-based, family-owned company allows us to call upon our heritage and beloved traditions, while also having a huge commitment to being tech-centered and innovation-focused. This recognition is a celebration of our CVO special sauce.”

The Best Companies to Work for in New York program evaluates organizations based on a two-part assessment. The first part is a comprehensive confidential survey distributed to employees. The second part is an in-depth company application, which examines unique workplace policies, inclusive practices, supportive benefits, and key talent statistics.

The program also offers ClearVision a valuable opportunity to hear directly from team members. Because rankings are largely determined by employee feedback, the results offer meaningful insight into what the company is doing well and where it can continue to grow. The process also provides a platform to showcase ClearVision’s values-driven culture and the many ways the team gives back through philanthropy and community outreach.

ClearVision’s commitment to meaningful engagement and development is forward-looking as well, with efforts to educate future eyecare professionals and business leaders. Recently, David Friedfeld, the company’s president and co-owner, presented on the future of opticianry to students at Raritan Valley Community College. Additionally, the company welcomed senior students from a virtual enterprise class from Plainview – Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School to learn more about pursuing careers in marketing.

David Friedfeld, president and co-owner of ClearVision, at Raritan Valley Community College

“The 2025 Best Companies to Work for in New York have created workplaces that inspire success. They are committed to providing their employees with a positive workplace experience which translates into excellent customer service,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Rochester Business Journal. “We are pleased to join our partners, the New York State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Best Companies Group and BridgeTower Media, in honoring these inspirational businesses.”

Other notable awards ClearVision has won in recent years include the Legacy Leaders of Distinction by LI Press award and the Cigna Gold Healthy Workforce Designation in 2023, as well as a Nassau County Citation as one of the Top Family Businesses by the Long Island Herald in 2022.

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April 7, 2025April 7, 2025

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Specsavers Canada has once again been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Workplaces^™ for 2025 by Great Place To Work^® Institute, the global authority on workplace culture. Ranking 11th on the list, the brand claims the spot of highest ranked retailer in the over 1000 employee category. Specsavers was also recognized with the Respect Award, as the best company in its category for the respect dimension of the Trust Index^™, highlighting the company’s continued support to its employees by management to foster collaboration and care. As Specsavers continues its rapid expansion in Canada, this recognition highlights its dedication to building an exceptional workplace culture.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the highest-ranking retailer on Canada’s Best Workplaces^™ list,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director, Specsavers Canada. “I’m amazed by the passion and commitment I see every day from our team. This achievement is thanks to the vibrant, collaborative culture we’ve built together across Canada.”

Since entering the Canadian market in November 2021, Specsavers has established itself as one of the fastest growing networks of eyecare professionals in the country. Driven by its purpose of “changing lives through better sight” the brand aims to transform the way Canadians experience eyecare by offering exceptional service, advanced clinical equipment, and affordable and quality eyewear.

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™ (CNW Group/Specsavers Canada)

For this year’s ranking of Canada’s Best Workplaces^TM, Specsavers employees ranked the organization highest around inclusion, fairness, and trust with its leadership team. The company’s commitment to excellence has resulted in multiple workplace recognitions over the past year, including Great Place to Work^® certification for 2024-2025, Best Workplace for Women, Best Workplace for Young Talent, Best Workplace with Most Trusted Executives, Best Workplaces for Retail and Hospitality, Best Workplaces for Giving Back, and Best Workplaces in BC. Additionally, Specsavers was ranked #16 on the World’s Best Workplaces 2024 list.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are baked into the DNA of these organizations. They care for all their people, and this means opportunities for great innovation and business success.” said Nancy Fonseca, Senior Vice President of Client Services, Great Place To Work^® Canada.

The 2025 Best Workplaces^™ in Canada list is compiled by the Great Place To Work^® Institute. The rankings reflect the quality and consistency of the workplace experience across all teams and roles, evaluated by the Great Place To Work^® Trust Index^™ employee survey.

The Trust Index^™ delves into the core aspects of a great workplace—such as trust in leadership, camaraderie among colleagues, and loyalty to the company. It also takes into account the diversity of responses across different demographics, ensuring that our workplace stands out for its inclusivity and equitable culture.

This study provides a comprehensive snapshot of organizational culture, drawing on feedback and sentiment of over 640,000 employees Canadian workers. It’s a true reflection of the employee experience, highlighting our commitment to building a workplace that values trust, respect, and opportunity.

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April 7, 2025April 7, 2025

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

As of April 1, Health PEI will launch the Program for Elementary Eye Care (PEEC), a new program that will fund annual eye exams and up to three prescription pairs of glasses per student during elementary school.

This program, the first of its kind in Canada, aims to address the increasing demand for accessible vision care for children aged 6-12 by ensuring that eligible students and families receive the financial support they need.

Building on the success of the Eye See Eye Learn (ESEL) program, which provides coverage for one (1) eye exam and one (1) pair of corrective lenses for pre-kindergarten to kindergarten aged children, the new Program for Elementary Eye Care (PEEC) has been developed in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO).

The PEEC is a direct response to advocacy from Island families and health care professionals, aligning with the Canadian Association of Optometrists’ recommendations for annual eye exams for school-aged children.

“Annual eye exams are crucial for the early detection and management of vision problems, which can significantly impact a child’s learning and educational engagement. By offering this support, the Program for Elementary Eye Care helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

– Mark McLane, Minister of Health and Wellness

Program for Elementary Eye Care (PEEC) Details:

Families need to register their child and/or children online at HealthPEI.ca/VisionCare to confirm eligibility.
The PEEC is available to students who are enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in grades one through six and possess a current PEI Health Card.
PEEC covers annual eye exams and up to three prescription pairs of glasses per student during elementary school. It covers up to $300 for single vision lenses and up to $350 for specialty or bifocal lenses.
Operating as a payor of last resort, the PEEC will cover the full cost of eye exams once other financial resources (including private insurance) have been utilized.

“Vision care is health care, and childhood eye exams and corrective lens make a huge difference in the lives and ongoing wellness of children. I want to acknowledge and thank our partners for supporting this important work. The launch of the Program for Elementary Eye Care reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our community.”

– Melanie Fraser, CEO of Health PEI.

“Island optometrists have always been committed to providing excellent eye care to all patients. We are pleased that the new Program for Elementary Eye Care will help to improve access to routine annual examinations which have been linked to increased academic performance and are beneficial for monitoring health concerns. Intervention with appropriate correction, glasses or contacts or other visual aids, during the elementary years will have long term benefits into the future.”

– Dr. Carolyn Acorn, member of the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO)

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April 7, 2025April 7, 2025

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

CooperVision announces the launch of their unique contact lens innovation with MyDay Energys^® which is now available to eye care professionals (ECPs) in Canada. MyDay Energys^® is the first and only 1-day contact lens combining an innovative aspheric design and material technology to help eye tiredness and dryness associated with digital eye strain, providing extraordinary comfort¹ for how patients live today.

Prolonged digital device use is part of everyday life, with adults spending an average of 11 hours a day on digital devices²—and more than 67% reporting that they use two or more devices simultaneously³—which can result in eyes feeling strained and uncomfortable.⁴

CooperVision MyDay Energys daily disposable

MyDay Energys^® features DigitalBoost^™, an innovative single vision aspheric design that delivers a +0.3D boost, which may help ease strain on internal eye muscles so the wearer can shift focus from on-screen to off-screen with less effort.^*4 This design is combined with Aquaform^® Technology, which hydrates contact lenses to twice their weight in water⁶ for natural wettability and incredible comfort, helping eyes feel less dry, even during times of reduced blinking. Both DigitalBoost^™ and Aquaform^® Technology are also present in CooperVision’s groundbreaking Biofinity Energys^® monthly contact lenses.

“As digital device use and preference for 1 day contact lenses have continued to increase, CooperVision truly anticipated the need for MyDay Energys^® in today’s digital world. Our application of the Energys® technology across both monthly and 1-day modalities helps practitioners meet the needs of more patients,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Marketing and Professional Affairs Americas, CooperVision. “In MyDay Energys^®, the combination of DigitalBoost^™ and Aquaform^® Technology uniquely addresses both eye tiredness and dryness—two symptoms commonly associated with digital eye strain—while also providing all the benefits of a 1 day lens.”

In a clinical study, patients agreed that when wearing MyDay Energys^®, their eyes stay comfortable and relaxed throughout the day, despite frequently viewing digital devices.**¹ The wearers also agreed that MyDay Energys^® made their eyes feel less tired,^† and their vision was less blurry^‡.¹

Like the other contact lenses in CooperVision’s MyDay^® family, MyDay Energys^® includes built-in UV blocking (86% of UVA and 97% of UVB rays), helping to protect the eye from the transmission of harmful UV rays^҂.

MyDay Energys^® is the latest addition to CooperVision’s popular MyDay^® family, which includes MyDay^® sphere, MyDay^® toric, and MyDay^® multifocal contact lenses. MyDay Energys^® is available in sphere powers of +8.00D to -12.00D (0.50D steps after +5.00D and -6.00D), with no plano option.

“With the MyDay® portfolio, you can fit so many patients between the sphere, the expanded toric parameters, and the multifocal,” said Sahil Dosaj, OD, who practices at Miller Optometry in Yucaipa, Calif. “Now, MyDay Energys^® is another option with additional benefits we can offer our patients. Everyone uses digital devices, so with many sphere wearers—this is the lens for them.”

For more information about MyDay Energys^®, visit https://coopervision.ca/practitioner/our-products/myday-family/myday-energys.

*Based on a statistically significant difference of the mean change in Accommodative Microfluctuations and when compared to a lens without DigitalBoost™ /Digital Zone Optics® after reading on an iPhone 5 for 20 minutes held at a distance of 25 cm. Study conducted with Biofinity Energys and sphere.

**75% of patients slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

†80% of patients agreed when asked “CLs make my eyes feel less tired” slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

‡74% of patients agreed when asked “CLs make my vision less blurry end of day, even after a long day using digital devices” slightly agree/agree/strongly agree

҂WARNING UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear, such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. Persons should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed.

1. CVI data on file 2018. Prospective, multi-center (5 US sites), open label, bilateral wear, one week dispensing study with MyDay Energys. N=77 habitual soft CL wearers. Patients slightly agree/agree/strongly agree.

2. The Nielsen Company, https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2021/amid-the-covid-19-pandemic-home-is-where-the-connectivity-is/.

3. Vision Council 2019. The Vision Council shines light on protecting sight and health in a multiscreen era. https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-shines-light-protecting-sight-and-health-multi-screen-era. Accessed 19 July 2022.

4. Chantal Coles‐Brennan et al. Management of digital eye strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2019;(102)1:18-29.

Common Sense Media. 2021. The Common Sense Census Media Use by Tweens and Teens.

5. Kajita M et al. Changes in accommodative micro-fluctuations after wearing contact lenses of different optical designs. Cont Lens Ant Eye (2020) In Press https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2020.03.003.

6. CVI data on file 2022.

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Blog

World Council of Optometry Announces 2025 International Award Winners

WCO Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Dr. Uduak Udom

WCO International Optometrist Award

Memorial Lecture in Honor of Ms. Karen Sparrow

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

Featured Posts

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

OWP, a Statement Design

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

OWP, a Statement Design

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

OWP, a Statement Design

ClearVision Named a Best Company to Work for in New York for the 10th Time

Specsavers Recognized as the Leading Retail Employer Amongst Canada’s Best Workplaces™

Health PEI Launches Program to Enhance Vision Care for Elementary Students

CooperVision MyDay Energys® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Now Available to ECPs and Patients Nationwide

OWP, a Statement Design