WATERLOO, Ontario, June 22, 2026—Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to rapidly transform myopia management, offering new capabilities for predicting progression, personalizing treatment, and improving clinical decision-making. The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has dedicated Issue 90 of Contact Lens Update to the topic, focusing on the challenges, opportunities and paths forward. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
“AI is not a substitute for clinicians, but it can augment their clinical reasoning. For myopia management, systems can already help synthesize complex scientific evidence, project progression, and support personalized treatment decisions. This issue provides practitioners with a practical understanding of how AI can be integrated into daily care to improve outcomes for young myopic patients,” said Daddi Fadel, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Waterloo and a consultant for CORE.
Jeffrey J. Walline, a distinguished professor and associate dean at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, writes the issue’s opening editorial. He argues that while AI predicts average myopia progression in groups reasonably well, it remains poor at forecasting individual progression. He concludes that truly transformative AI for personalized myopia care does not yet exist, though it will likely emerge within our professional lifetime.
Nicola Logan, professor of Optometry and associate dean for Research & Enterprise at Aston University, UK, provides the feature article that analyzes AI in myopia research, finding that use is growing rapidly yet remains focused on screening and prediction rather than treatment decisions. She concludes that meaningful clinical transformation will require more international data sharing, multi-ethnic studies, and integrated decision-support systems.
In the clinical insight, CORE provides practitioners with practical summaries of the seven International Myopia Institute (IMI) reports, accompanied by clinically relevant infographics. These resources translate the latest evidence into actionable guidance for myopia management, supporting clinicians in risk assessment, treatment selection, and patient communication.
The conference highlight from clinician and professional educator Epifanio Ruiz Campos of OPTOacademy examines how artificial intelligence can support clinical decision-making in myopia management. OPTOMYOPIA, an AI-powered augmented intelligence platform, integrates peer-reviewed literature and patient-specific data to synthesize complex evidence, supporting risk stratification and personalized treatment while demonstrating that AI should augment rather than replace clinicians.
In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues.
The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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About the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) was established in 1988 at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science. Over the next three decades, the organization evolved from a three-person operation into a thriving hub of basic and applied research, collaborating with sponsors, agencies and academia on advanced biosciences, clinical research and education. Its uncompromising independence and results of the highest quality have been at the heart of many of the most prominent advances in eye health. Today, its team serves a range of ophthalmic sectors, including medical devices, ocular pharmaceuticals, digital technology and others, with a focus on the anterior segment. For more information, please visit core.uwaterloo.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT
Lyndon Jones, Principal Scientist, CORE
+1.519.888.4065 or lwjones@uwaterloo.ca