2026 Eye Care Innovations: What Top Optometrists Are Saying

Описание: In this special Optometry Trends 2026 episode, the Defocus Media team reflects on the biggest clinical, technology, and industry shifts from 2025 that are shaping eye care in the year ahead. Dr. Darryl Glover and Dr. Jennifer Lyerly are joined by Dr. Jackie Garlich and Dr. Mark Schaefer for a wide-ranging conversation focused on real-world implementation, not just headlines.

The panel dives into dry eye disease management, including tear stimulation drops like Tryptr, Demodex treatment with Xdemvy, canalicular fill options such as Lacrifill, and how clinicians are building smarter prescribing algorithms amid an expanding therapeutic landscape. In-office treatments like IPL and thermal therapies are discussed alongside strategies to improve patient compliance with at-home care.

They also explore major advances in myopia management, highlighting FDA-approved myopia control glasses such as Stellest, how they compare with atropine therapy, and why glasses may accelerate adoption as a standard of care.

The episode covers growing interest in presbyopia drops, including Qlosi and Vizz, with an honest discussion about patient selection, expectation setting, and concerns around optical impact.

On the technology front, the conversation examines wearable innovation in eye care, including Nuance Audio glasses, Ray-Ban Meta, and Oakley Meta, and how lifestyle-driven conversations are opening new doors for patient engagement.

Finally, the panel looks ahead to FDA decisions, emerging therapies, clinical trial tracking, and the future of optometric education, including the consolidation of major meetings and what it means for continuing education in 2026.

Whether you’re focused on dry eye, myopia control, presbyopia management, or integrating new technology into your practice, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. #optometry #podcast #optometrist

🎥 YouTube Timestamps – Optometry Trends 2026
00:00 – Welcome to the 2026 Podcast Party
01:18 – Why Reflecting on 2025 Matters
02:43 – Panel Introductions & Life Updates
06:03 – Biggest Optometry Stories from 2025
08:55 – Dry Eye Compliance Challenges
10:58 – Heated Eye Masks & Warm Compress Compliance
13:48 – Vision Expo Consolidation & CE Fatigue
17:36 – Myopia Management Glasses (Stellest)
19:52 – Myopia Control: Stellest vs Atropine
23:05 – Tear Stimulation Drops (Tryptr)
26:58 – Dry Eye Prescribing Algorithms
29:50 – Flip or Flop: 2025 Optometry Innovation
32:40 – Nuance Audio Glasses
36:45 – Smart Glasses: Ray-Ban Meta & Oakley Meta
40:58 – In-Office Dry Eye Treatments
43:20 – Xdemvy for Demodex Blepharitis
44:10 – Lacrifill vs Traditional Punctal Plugs
46:30 – Presbyopia Drops (Qlosi & Vizz)
49:28 – Do Presbyopia Drops Hurt Optical?
53:20 – What’s Coming Next: FDA Decisions
58:10 – Tracking Clinical Trials & New Therapies
01:02:40 – Where the Panel Is Speaking in 2026
01:06:59 – Final Takeaways & Closing

--------------------------

Let’s Connect! Defocus Media on Social Media:
👁️ Instagram:   / defocusmedia  
👁️ Facebook:   / defocusmedia  
👁️ LinkedIn:   / defocus-media  
👁️ Twitter:   / defocusmedia  

👀 Website: https://defocusmediagroup.com/ 👀

Want to stay up to date on the latest trends and hottest topics in eye care?
📧 Sign up for our newsletter! https://share.hsforms.com/1rhZdAHr_Ss...

--------------------------

DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description, including infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences, and links, is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the site. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or its description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. All non-licensed clips are used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.