IRIS Issue 18

Eyewear Trendspotting

2026 Trend Reveal: Sculptural, Sentimental, and Punk.

Do you know the key eyewear trends for 2026? Gain an optical edge with a look at 5 bold directions—and a teaser to 2027. On the eve of Eyewear Design Week + Vision Expo, we check in with visionary Selin Olmsted to dive into eyewear style.

Market Insights

ICYMI: Is There a Place for the Vision Test Kiosk?

Automated vision test kiosks are cropping up in national retailer eye care centers across the United States—and drawing concerns from the optometric community. Here, we cover the latest updates, share feedback from the kiosk maker’s co-founder and CEO, and outline our own experience with the test.

Industry Awards

NOW Awards Finalists Announced for 2026

The NOW Awards by Vision Expo finalists have been named, and the lineup includes designers, brands, and creators worldwide that submitted frames. Finalists were selected by an expert panel based on artistry, innovative design, functionality, and their role in advancing the eyewear industry.

Eyewear Events

Insight Media Joins EYECON Designing Desire Panel at Eyewear Design Week

Tarrence Lackran, founder of EYECON, and Insight Media’s Erinn Morgan will co-moderate the panel “Designing Desire: The Art of Experience-Driven Branding,” on March 6 at 11:30 a.m., approved for one hour of ABO CE credit. Will you join us?

Economic Insight

Podcast Clip: The Supreme Court Ruled Against IEEPA Tariffs. What’s Next?

The Supreme Court ruled against the use of the IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from many countries. Learn what that means for vision care and beyond—watch our short video clip here.

Insight Media Group LLC

447 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Suite 1036

New York, NY 10013

insightmediagroup.com

No longer want these emails? Click here to unsubscribe.