28 April 2026
More than 1200 eye care professionals (ECPs) gathered for EssilorLuxottica’s Switch Monaco event, exploring the future of eye care and eyewear, with ECPs “at the centre.”
The event gathered professionals from across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia to highlight how rapid technological acceleration and evolving patient expectations are shaping the industry.
Plenary sessions, keynotes, and learning sessions explored the shifts in eye care and overall health, while immersive experiences also presented the future of eyewear.
These shifts are seeing the eye become a “window to overall health,” the Switch event highlighted, glasses becoming an “intelligent interface to life,” and care systems requiring a “stronger frontline, closer to people.”
EssilorLuxottica emphasised the eye’s role as a “critical access point for proactive healthcare, transforming routine eye exams into meaningful health insight moments and expanding the impact eye care professionals can have on patients’ lives.”
Chrystel Barranger, president EMEA and Asia professional solutions for EssilorLuxottica, commented: “Our industry is entering a new era. Eye care professionals are at the centre of it. They are the trusted frontline for millions of people, uniquely positioned to turn innovation into better care, stronger relationships, and greater impact.”
“With the right technology and support, they will not just adapt to change – they will lead it,” she said.
An immersive ‘Switch Your Store’ experience demonstrated how the practice of the future could enhance patient outcomes and business performance.
The experience presented a journey into the future of eyewear, from wearables with Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta, to advanced vision care and smart lenses through Essilor Varilux, Crizal and Stellest, and hearing solutions with Nuance Audio, along with advanced diagnostics and artificial intelligence-powered insights.
EssilorLuxottica’s lifestyle and luxury brands were on display, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Oliver Peoples, Transitions, and Fedon.
The Espansione Spa offered visitors the opportunity to experience a demonstration of Light Modulation Low-level Light Therapy, a patented photobiomodulation technology by Espansione.
Experts featured in the programme included Professors José-Alain Sahel, Sharon Kujawa and Effy Vayena from EssilorLuxottica’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
Assistant professor at the National University of Singapore, Raymond Najjar, a visual neuroscientist, Dr Tan, president of the Asian Optometry and Management Association, and Jean-François Porte, the president of Rassemblement des Opticiens de France and co-founder of Edgard Opticiens were also part of the event.
Oakley ambassador, Sir Mark Cavendish, retired professional cyclist and Olympian, also featured.
A selection of recordings from the event will be available on EssilorLuxottica’s Leonardo learning platform in the coming weeks.
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