How do you kick off a new year? Do you take time to reflect on what went right and maybe not so right in 2025? Do you spend time on vision boards, resolutions, a focus word? Maybe set some new goals or KPIs? Here’s the thing: No matter how you approach the start of the year, there is no “right” way to begin. However, I do believe it’s important to be intentional and curate some guidelines for how you want to spend 2026. What needs to happen for you to define 2026 as a success?
For some, 2026 may be defined by growth, with more patients benefitting from your expertise. For others, maybe it’s adding a new skill or pillar to your practice. And for others still, it may be slowing down to appreciate all you already have. Think refinement rather than expansion, fewer distractions, and better boundaries; create more alignment to your life, and figure out how you want to live it.
For us here at Modern Optometry (MOD), our goal is to support you wherever you are in your career. In fact, while we were reflecting on what went well and what didn’t in 2025, we decided to refine our vision and mission statements. MOD seeks to educate and prepare optometrists for today’s practice and the future of eye care. How are we doing this? By curating expert-driven clinical and business content that helps optometrists enhance patient outcomes, achieve practice success, and remain at the forefront of the profession. That’s a solid plan, and one we hope aligns with your needs.
With renewed focus, MOD is poised to grow even more in 2026, particularly with a new Executive Director, Dawn Schaefer, and Director of Business Development, Kyle Feller. Even more exciting, we have a new Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer Kirby, onboarding as we finalize this issue for publication. She has some big shoes to fill with Karen Roman’s legacy, but we know Jen is up for the challenge (and is coming in with more than 20 years of experience in the optometric space!).
Whatever you’re craving as you step into 2026, whether it’s clarity, confidence, inspiration, validation, or challenge, we have designed this issue (focused on glaucoma) and future issues with you in mind. The pages ahead are filled with conversations meant to elevate your practice and help you see what’s possible from where you stand now.
Optometry continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, but our foundation remains the same: thoughtful care, meaningful connection, and a shared commitment to seeing our patients—and each other—more clearly.
Make 2026 your year, a year defined not by obligation, but by intention. Not by perfection, but by progress. And not by anyone else’s version of success but your own. That’s our plan here at MOD!
We’re so glad you’re joining us for the journey.
- Selina McGee, OD, FAAO
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