Contact Lens Institute Names 17 Eye Care Leaders as 2026 Visionaries

Key Takeaways

• Contact Lens Institute named 17 U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals as 2026 Visionaries

• Visionaries will contribute clinical, practice management, and data-driven insights through initiatives such as The EASY Way and See Tomorrow to support everyday practice success.

Contact Lens Institute has announced the selection of 17 established and emerging leaders from the eye care community as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing a diverse group of professionals from across the United States and Canada. Representing a wide range of practice settings, specialties, and research interests, the honorees will contribute to advancing soft contact lens innovation and best practices through peer-to-peer engagement.

Established in 2021, the Visionaries program was created to elevate collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the eye care community, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and practice success through soft contact lens adoption. Each Visionary has demonstrated a strong commitment to raising awareness of advancements in soft contact lenses and the benefits of contemporary prescribing.

As part of the 2026 program, Visionaries will participate in initiatives designed to support eye care professionals with practical tools, data-driven insights, and clinical and practice management guidance. These efforts include contributions to Contact Lens Institute’s 'The EASY Way' and 'See Tomorrow' initiatives, which aim to translate innovation into everyday practice success.

Seven Visionaries return to the program after serving in prior years, joined by 10 newly appointed members. The 2026 Visionaries are:

• Roxanne Achong-Coan, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique, Ocoee, Fla.*

• Kelsea Brown, OD, MyEyeDr, Atlanta, Ga.

• Elaine Chen, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Fullerton, Calif.

• Jennifer Chinn, OD, Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care, San Diego, Calif.

• Ryan Corte, OD, Northlake Eye, Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.*

• Susan J. Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, First Sight Vision Care, Fulton, Md.*

• Michael Gzik, ABO, NCLE, New York Optometric, Syracuse, N.Y.

• Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS, New England College of Optometry (NECO) Center for Eye Care, Boston*

• Heidi Miller, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Principal Optometrist, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, Calif.

• Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO, Mission Eye Care, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Julian Prosia, OD, Mountain Eyecare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

• Renée E. Reeder, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FSLS, FIACLE, FNAP, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, Kentucky College of Optometry, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Ky.

• Maria Sampalis, OD, Sampalis Eyecare, Cranston, R.I.

• Scott Samples, FCLSA, NCLE-M, CPOT, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, Okla.

• Harbir Sian, OD, Highstreet Eyecare Center and Clarity Eyecare, British Columbia, Canada*

• Jennifer Stewart, OD, Look New Canaan, New Canaan, Conn.*

• Shauna Thornhill, OD, Amarillo Vision Specialists, Amarillo, Texas*

*Returning Visionary

“Visionaries are chosen not only for their contact lens clinical expertise, but for their passion for sharing what works—with patients, colleagues, staff, and partners,” said Stan Rogaski, executive director of Contact Lens Institute. “We congratulate our newest appointees and welcome back our returning group. Multiple 2026 initiatives are underway in which they’re already taking part, with much more to come.”

Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that deliver meaningful benefits to patients while meeting the evolving needs of eye care professionals. The organization supports the balanced growth and welfare of the contact lens and lens care industry, with a focus on product safety and responsible use in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Originally published online on Eyewire+.