Celeb-inspired specs. A new ABO Chair. Myopia management. Style trends. Vision Expo. Oculomics.
During the first six months of 2026, the social media content connecting the most with our audience reflects the biggest trends and opportunities in vision care. These articles, reels, and podcasts span the latest eyewear products and trends, the state of the industry, leadership insights, industry awards, and highlights from the major meetings attended by our award-winning team.
Just one year ago, Insight Media debuted with a single mission: to provide eye care professionals with focused, interactive content to help them drive their practice and the business of vision forward. Starting with our interactive social media channels that launched last summer followed by the introduction of the weekly IRiS newsletter later in 2025, our industry coverage has included market trends, news, practice and retail management pearls, and more of what is shaping vision care.
During the first half of 2026, Insight Media has continued to expand into other digital platforms. Our website, InsightMediaGroup.com, went live in January and in March we published the first issue of IRiS digital magazine (stay tuned for the next issue of IRiS dropping this September).
Our social community has also been on a growth trajectory, with Insight Media now generating more than 1 million impressions monthly across our LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels.
Here, we unveil Insight Media’s Top 10 Social Media Moments from the first half of 2026.
1. Phernell Walker Named ABO Board Chair
The announcement of this new role for Phernell Walker, MBA, ABOM, took the top spot of 2026 thus far. The news followed his service as chair-elect and years of involvement in governance and exam development. With more than 30 years of experience, Walker is a master optician, an award-winning speaker, author of “Pure Optics,” and services as vice president of optometric relations at VSP Eyefinity, where he works to strengthen collaboration across eye care.
2. A$AP Rocky x Ray-Ban Collection Launch Event
Our insider reel from this event hosted by Extra Butter celebrated the Metal Collection’s debut, bringing together fashion, eyewear, and music. A$AP Rocky is Ray-Ban’s first-ever Creative Director. This collection is influenced by A$AP Rocky’s aesthetic and reimagines Ray-Ban’s class look with bold metal silhouettes.
3. Marcolin and EssilorLuxottica Take Center Stage at ACE Awards
The Accessories Council and ACE President and CEO Karen Giberson hosted the 30th annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards at The Pierre Hotel in NYC. The event honoring the fashion industry brought together eyewear, style, and accessories leaders and celebs for a glamorous evening filled with energy and emotion.
Among the honorees were EssilorLuxottica, who received the ACE Awards’ Pioneering Spirit Award—presented by Bobbie Thomas and accepted on behalf of the company by Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President, Professional Solutions of the Americas. In addition, Marcolin was recognized as a Legacy Honoree, celebrating the company’s 65-year milestone—the award was accepted on behalf of the company by CEO Marco D’Acunzo.
Watch the video here.
4. SS26 Eyewear Tour with EssilorLuxottica’s Trend Manager
At EssilorLuxottica’s NYC press day, Trend Manager Nina Esteves gave us an exclusive tour of the key themes sharping eyewear—from calming, minimalist designs to pilot silhouettes and tinted lenses. This 6-minue video gave our followed on social media an edge on some of the biggest eyewear trends for 2026.
Watch the video here.
5. Does the Future Hold Licensure for Opticians in All 50 States?
Phernell Walker joined us for the Parting Glance interview in the first issue of IRIS Magazine. In this clip from the thought-provoking interview, Walker shared his vision for advancing opticanry through expanded certification in order to elevate the profession and better support overall patient care.
6. Is Oculomics the Future of Optometry?
The practice of detecting systemic disease through the eye is on a trajectory—is it really a future direction for optometry? Part two of our series on Oculomics looked at how three ODs, Rupe Hansra, OD, VP of Professional Affairs at Topcon Healthcare, Kerry Gelb, OD, of Contact Lens & Vision in New Jersey, and Solomon Gould, OD, MBA, senior director, eye care at EssilorLuxottica, are implementing this field in practice and why it represents an opportunity for growth for optometry.
Watch the clip here.
7. On the Wild Side: 7 Bodacious Trends
The Cover Feature from IRIS Magazine’s March issue showcased authentic and bold trends. From luxury that has loudly departed its quiet era to fresh, audacious animal prints and unexpected color pairings, the Spring/Summer 2026 eyewear season delivered an enticing new direction in design.
Take a tour of the season’s seven most standout specs trends.
8. Megan Molony’s Biggest Tip for Aspiring Female Leaders
In this clip from the latest HER Insight: Women in Vision Care Leadership podcast, Megan Molony, CEO of Europa Eyewear and president of the Optical Women’s Association, said to “Go for it.” When offered an opportunity or approached with a challenge, she advises aspiring leaders to say “yes”—even if they don’t feel qualified—and to remember that they deserve a seat at the table.
In the full interview, Megan reflected on her 30+ years in the industry, her leadership philosophy, and today’s biggest market trends and opportunities.
Watch the clip here.
9. Factors Influencing Myopia Treatment Decisions
In this clip, Kate Daluyin, OD, explained that deciding whether to treat or monitor a young myopic patient is about more than just their prescription. She shared some of the factors she considers before initiating treatment.
The full interview with Dr. Daluyin was part of Insight Media’s monthly 10-part Myopia Masterclass series written by myopia expert John Sailer. The series delivers strategies to master 10 crucial practice management-focused steps to a thriving myopia specialty.
10. Vision Expo Day 1 Standout Moments
Finally, we round out the top 10 list with a peek at the 2026 Vision Expo show floor at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. This meeting was filled with energy, education, and new product launches. Our reel featured highlights such as:
- The “Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process” panel moderated by Insight Media’s Erinn Morgan
- The NOW Awards celebrating eyewear design innovation
- The Optical Women’s Association Stars, Sips, and Scholarships event
- Discussions around the latest Contact Lens Institute data
