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Academy in Anaheim: optometry research, product, and innovations

Alex Delaney-Gesing

This is editorially independent content
17 min read

We’re back with more coverage on the American Academy of Optometry (AAO)’s 2026 annual meeting in Anaheim, California.

Our initial recap covered the meeting’s first-day announcements and a look ahead at new formatting and events in the near future. Check it out here.

Next on the agenda: A brief look (dare we say glance) at the who’s who in the Exhibit Hall—and the clinical research presented.

Let’s start with the latter.

Research it is!

SightGlass Vision presented three sets of new data supporting the use of its Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses for the management of pediatric myopia progression.

  • Take note: While this lens technology has already received regulatory approval and launched across the globe, it is still investigational within the United States (though the FDA did grant Breakthrough Device Designation in 2024).

A key takeaway from these new findings: Patients wearing DOT lenses demonstrated comparable viewing behavior and performance across everyday activities—including with high quality of vision and strong satisfaction.

Any other specifics?

Yes! Additional data from the randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded, multicenter, two-arm parallel group study: CATHAY ([NCT05562622]; more details here).

To know: The trial is evaluating distance, near and night vision, visual acceptance, satisfaction and overall impression among myopic children ages 6 to 13.

The latest findings: More than 91% of responses across all six measures were positive or neutral, with no significant differences between children wearing DOT lenses and those wearing standard single-vision (SV) lenses.

  • See here for how this builds on prior data reported in May.

What’s next?

Following up on its preview from earlier this summer, the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) released the full findings from its latest See Tomorrow report findings on Profitable Perspectives: Rethinking the Value of Contact Lens Patients.

The focus of this first-ever U.S. analysis: profit differences between soft contact lens (CL) wearers and glasses-only patients among 20 eyecare practices based on 4 years’ worth of anonymized data from 600 patients.

And the gist of this data: CLs create a sizable practice profitability advantage compared to equivalent glasses-only patients.

How much deeper did this data go?

Philip Morgan, BSc, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO, and Lyndon Jones, OD, FAAO, two of the lead investigators on the CLI research, hosted an exclusive, invite-only discussion on the full data release.

  • See here for a look at the complete findings, which were unveiled ahead of Academy.

Speaking of CLs …

CooperVision hosted Unmet Opportunities: Multifocal Contact Lenses and the Anti-Aging Movement, a roundtable discussion highlighting new research on attitudes toward aging and receptiveness to multifocal (MF) CLs.

Moderated by Mike McDougall, APR, FPRSA, FAAO, president of of McDougall Communications, the panelists included:

  • Robert Africano, OD, FAAO, of National Vision
  • Katie Greiner, OD, FAAO, of Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons
  • Raj Patel, OD, FAAO, of Vancouver Vision Clinic

Tell me more.

The report in question: Drew from an online survey commissioned across 11 global markets, with the U.S. results based on 752 consumers (aged 38+) reporting they received an annual eye exam on an annual (58%) or bi-annual (18%) basis.

And among the takeaways:

  • Low MF awareness is common—and simply bringing up the option in the exam room is the most effective step.
    • 60% had never heard of MF lenses or knew nothing about them
    • 77% of those who were very familiar with MF could consider wearing them
  • Start the MF conversation with patients (aged 48-42), before symptoms.
    • 45% indicated they want early discussions and rank MF lenses as highest among anti-aging options
  • Appearance is key reason for choosing MF lenses
    • Respondents ranked MF lenses as fourth among top anti-aging categories, ahead of cosmetic procedures
  • Bring up the cost before a patient does.
    • 41% indicate cost as a top barrier to lens adoption; clinicians should reframe the price by comparing MF lenses to hair color or skincare spending
  • Practices benefit more from MF profits
    • Wearers bring in a reported 29% more annual profits versus progressive-only wearers; earlier starts equates to more repeat purchases

Download the full report findings. Also check out CooperVision's MF portfolio here.

Next up: Johnson & Johnson.

The focus for J&J: ACUVUE contact lenses—specifically ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day and ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day.

With 15 accepted abstracts and two sponsored educational sessions, Caroline Blackie, vice president of Medical Affairs, Vision, MedTech, noted that the new data demonstrates “the superior advantages” of its ACUVUE versus competitive technology.

Among the featured data: Seven daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses were tested using a new Moisture Retention Index (which measures how much a lens slows evaporation versus saline at varying humidity levels).

  • The takeaway: ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day ranked highest, followed by ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day. Take note: This was a lab study (35ºC/40% humidity), not a clinical outcome.

Plus, in a ACUVUE VITA wearer experience study (with no comparison group) of 80 habitual soft lens wearers (ages 18 to 40) evaluated over a 4-week period:

  • 89% rated the senofilcon C reusable lens comfortable and smooth.
  • 89% were satisfied with vision clarity
  • 90% found the lenses easy to handle

See here for more J&J data highlights.

What other research?

Tons more … here’s a look at a few others:

BioTissue presented two scientific posters examining cryopreserved amniotic membranes (CAM)—via two of its products—for patients with complex ocular surface conditions. The case reports:

  • Preservative Toxicity to Biometric Reliability: Ocular Surface Optimization with Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane Before Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery presented by Amber Carissa Fonseca “A.C.” Flynn, OD
    • The product: CAM360 AmnioGraft
  • Use of Antivirals and Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane to Manage Signs and Symptoms of Herpetic Keratitis presented by Paul Hammond, OD.
    • The product: BioTissue Prokera Slim

Read more on these case studies here.

Go on …

Plus—fresh off the FDA accepting its new drug application (NDA)—Nicox SA was also in Anaheim to present key scientific data on NCX 470 (now known as K-911 [bimatoprost grenod), an intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering drop.

  • Click here for a rundown on this novel nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost formulation and its potential to treat open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertensive (OH) patients.
  • Worth noting: Kowa Pharmaceuticals America is the exclusive U.S. licensee for the drop, which was assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDFUA) date of April 30, 2027.

As for the Academy update: Nora Cothran, OD, and Siobhan Garbutt, PhD, presented two sessions highlighting the drop’s recently completed, multi-region phase 3 clinical program encompassing three studies:

Didn’t Atsena also unveil new clinical data on its XLRS gene therapy?

Indeed! The company presented 18-month safety and efficacy results from Part A of its phase 1/2/3 LIGHTHOUSE trial for ATSN-201, its X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) gene therapy.

The data was actually one of six abstracts chosen by the Academy’s Communications Committee to be presented during the meeting’s Innovations in Vision and Eye Care press conference.

And what’s the latest?

Following up on the company’s data release from Part B of the study in May, this most recent data covered Part A determined:

  • ATSN-201 continued to demonstrate a favorable safety profile with no drug-related serious adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities, or patient discontinuations
  • Treated eyes showed statistically significant improvements in central retinal thickness, microperimetry, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA)
  • Click here for more (and check out how it compares to Part B findings).

Worth noting: Patient dosing for Part C (phase 3) of the trial is currently underway.

That’s quite the data.

Indeed. And before we turn to a different meeting topic:

See here for Harrow’s 13 scientific presentations centered around:

  • VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1% for dry eye disease (DED)
  • VERKAZIA (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.1% for vernal keratoconjunctivitis
  • FLAREX (fluorometholone acetate ophthalmic suspension) 0.1% for ocular inflammation

And check out the promising results from a pilot study exploring the efficacy of Rinsada’s irrigating lid retractor for ocular lavage in symptomatic allergic conjunctivitis.

Now let’s switch gears to the show floor.

As we mentioned in our initial show recap, 189 exhibitors featured booths in the Exhibit Hall this year.

Let’s get a look at some of them.

One notable mention: Tarsus, who recently completed its acquisition of Alkeus Pharmaceuticals after announcing the pending deal in early August.

Key to this purchase: gildeuretinol acetate (ALK-001), a late-stage molecular entity designed to reduce the dimerization of vitamin A without modulating the visual cycle.

  • Its proposed indications: Stargardt disease and geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
    • Click here to check out its phase 3 progress thus far (as of June).

I know we just discussed research, but didn’t Tarsus also present?

Indeed … the company presented 11 abstracts on topics such as Demodex blepharitis (including real-world impact of XDEMVY [lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25%] among soft CL wearers) as well as the prevalence of ocular rosacea.

  • To refresh: TP-04 (lotilaner ophthalmic gel) is currently under evaluation in the ongoing phase 2 KORE trial, with topline data expected by the first half (H1) of 2027.

And throughout the meeting: Tarsus hosted a scientific open house in the Exhibit Hall showcasing its research and offering face-to-face access to clinical investigators presenting their findings.

Nice! Any others?

Alcon offered an update on its latest (and continued) innovations in the optometry space.

Most notably: TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003%, its FDA-approved, twice-daily (BID)-dosed drop formulated to rapidly increase natural tear production—as early as the first day of use—for DED.The update: To mark TRYPTYR’s 1-year anniversary of launching to the U.S. market, Alcon rolled out a new product commercial for consumers.

  • The intended message: “You can now get treatment as early as day 1.”

Any other dry eye updates?

Clinical evidence was presented from a head-to-head study comparing SYSTANE PRO Preservative-FreePreseerative-Free (PF) and MEIBO among 250+ patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye symptoms.

The findings: SYSTANE PRO PF demonstrated clinically meaningful dry eye symptom relief while proving to be non-inferior to perfluorohexyloctane.

  • Both treatment groups achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in OSDI symptoms (p≤0.001) at 2 weeks and sustained through 1 month.

Next up?

Along with new scientific research and educational events, the company also brought back the Alcon WaterInnovations Immersive Experience.

Also related to lenses: Alcon showcased the MARLO platform, which was re-introduced in 2024 as an upgraded online contact lens ordering application.

  • Check out our 2025 coverage on its new features.

Speaking of portfolios … what other products were on display?

The company’s booth featured an Innovation Suite with two technologies:

Alrighty, next up: Bausch + Lomb.

Plus, B+L hosted several educational events and presented 28 scientific studies on real-world data (RWD) and patient experience data across its pharmaceutical, contact lens, and consumer eye care portfolio. Among these:

  • Phase 4 data on MIEBO (perfluorohexylocaine ophthalmic solution) during CL wear
  • RWD on concomitant XIIDRA (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%) and MIEBO in dry eye disease (DED) patients
  • Clinical evidence on LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops (with hyaluronic acid [HA]) for rapid and durable redness relief

And speaking of products …

The company showcased Blink Triple Care Preservative-Free (PF) eye drops, which launched this past June as the latest addition to the Blink product line.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the launch of PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins from earlier this year.

  • Click here for what sets this apart from the AREDS and AREDS2 formulations (hint: B vitamins are involved).

Didn't the company also announce new DED data ahead of the meeting?

Indeed! The company released clinical outcomes in late August from an investigational, twice-daily (BID), dual-action eye drop for dry eye disease (DED), formulated with active ingredients from two familiar drops: MIEBO and XIIDRA.

  • Its clinical target: ocular surface inflammation and tear evaporation—two of the primary underlying causes of DED.

Nice! What else to know?

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention another exhibitor: Balance Ophthalmics.

To refresh: The company’s FSYX Ocular Pressure Adjusting Pump (OPAP) system, an intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering device, is reported to be first and only therapy of its kind to target nocturnal IOP reduction.

As for the latest update: Back in August, Balance announced that the FSYX pump (and its associated eye goggles) had secured Medicare coverage, effective Oct. 1. Check out those details.

The plan: for FSYX to become more broadly available to the U.S. commercial market in the very near future.

And one last notable mention: Tenpoint Therapeutics was also on-site with a Lunch & Learn event on unmet needs in presbyopia management and new advances in treatment, presented by Chris Lievens, OD, FAAO, and Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO.

This follows the company’s:

  • U.S. launch of YUVEZZI (carbachol and brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 2.75%/0.1% earlier this spring
  • Debut of a “Friends of the Presbyopians” consumer campaign this past summer

That can’t be everything from Academy ...

Oh, definitely not; just a few highlights (in an effort to stick with our Glance perspective).

For more from the event—including award recipients and details on the closing reception—head over to AAO’s social media pages.

And to end things?

The countdown is already on for Academy 2027, kicking off Nov. 10-13 in the Lone Star State (San Antonio, to be more specific).

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