This week has seen a few notable changes and additions to leadership across the eyecare industry.
From ViaLase, Inc. naming a new CEO to Johnson & Johnson’s new vice president—and a notable optometric leader joining myze—here are the highlights of these appointments.
Let’s start with this CEO change at ViaLase.
It’s more of a “transition,” according to the California-based, clinical-stage medical tech (MedTech) company.
Why: ViaLase’s new CEO is its former chief commercial officer (COO), Shawn O’Neil.
- His background: With over three decades of executive leadership in various roles across the ophthalmic industry, O’Neil’s expertise extends to femtosecond laser surgery technology and glaucoma.
- Specifically: O’Neil served as ViaLase’s CCO since 2022; prior to that, he was CCO at Sight Sciences, Inc. and head of sales and marketing for Alcon’s Surgical Glaucoma division.
So what happened to the former CEO?
Tibor Juhasz, PhD, founder of the company, has reportedly transitioned to president and chief technology officer of the company.
Per ViaLase: Juhasz will “continue to guide the company’s technological innovation roadmap” as it seeks commercialization of its femtosecond laser technology in the U.S. and European markets.
- For context: Learn more about the ViaLuxe Laser System, a noninvasive (incision-free), image-guided, femtosecond laser treatment currently under clinical investigation for glaucoma.
And who’s taking over as CCO?
That would be Pete England, who most recently served as ViaLase’s vice president of Global Marketing since 2023.
- His background: Spans 20+ years in ophthalmic sales and marketing—including holding the position of vice president of Global Surgical Marketing at Sight Sciences.
Alrighty, now move on to J&J’s news.
Fresh off of last month’s launch of the ACUVUE OASYS Max 1-Day Multifocal (MF) for Astigmatism contact lens—check out our full coverage—the company announced a new vice president of U.S. Sales, Vision Care: Kelly Heaps.
- Her background: Heaps spent the last near-25 years serving in various commercial leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, including (most recently) as vice president, Oral-B North America.
And her focus at J&J: Will involve accelerating sales, promoting market share growth, and collaborating with customers to further advance overall patient outcomes with the company’s eyecare products (with an emphasis on that new ACUVUE OASYS lens).
Speaking of VP appointments ...
Alcon, Inc. has named a new senior vice president, president, Global Franchises: Julie M. Brewer (effective as of earlier this week).
Her experience: Brewer brings 30+ years of leadership in the pharma, MedTech, capital equipment, and digital healthcare space—with a focus on:
- Strategic planning
- Global market development
- Product development
- Commercialization
- Commercial operations
Prior to joining Alcon: Brewer served as president of Care and Connective Solutions at Baxter International (and, prior to that, president of Cadiovascular and Diagnostic Services at Metronic).
And what will her new role entail?
Per Alcon's CEO David J. Endicott: Brewer will be heavily involved in advancing the company's Surgical and Vision Care businesses by overseeing "strategy, product development, and core product launch preparations."
- This is also anticipated to include the company's planned expansion of digital offerings in the "connected care" space.
See here for a look at Alcon's latest updates—including:
- A planned purchase of LumiThera (announced earlier this week)
- The May 2025 FDA approval of TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003%
- The debut of a new cloud-based digital platform for the Alcon Vision Suite
Next up: myze’s new appointment.
The digital health platform for personalized eye health services and products—including daily eyelid care—has named Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, as its chief product advisor.
Her background: A long-time member of the Intrepid Eye Society, Dr. Koetting is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, with a focus on:
- Anterior segment
- Ocular surface disease
- Neuro-optometry
- Perioperative care
And what will she be working on at myze?
The company reported that Dr. Koetting will be responsible for overseeing the “development and procurement of all products delivered through the myze platform” as well as ensuring the “overall product experience”.
For example: myze’s first branded product, The Daily Lid Wipe, was launched in October 2024.
In fact, the wipes are formulated based on clinical input from Dr. Koetting and Laura M. Periman, MD, to target ocular relief. See the full ingredient list.
That's it for now on leadership changes ... check back for more industry updates in the eyecare space next week!