Reflections on the GSLS 2026, Advancing Vision Care

January 2026 - Events / Industry Insights

From collaboration to innovation, GSLS 2026 highlighted the direction of specialty contact lenses and the importance of HOA correction. Upgrade your Lab →

This January, we were pleased to take part once again in the Global Specialty Lens Symposium 2026, hosted at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. As always, GSLS proved to be an unique opportunity to meet industry professionals and partners, to exchange perspectives on where specialty contact lenses are heading.

GSLS 2026 once again confirmed its role as a global meeting point for the specialty contact lens community. With 58 exhibitors, and participants from 30 countries, the event combined education, innovation, and networking across 44 speakers, 34 hours of continuing education, and a rich program of sessions, workshops, and awards.

The most meaningful moment of GSLS 2026 for us was without doubt the recognition of our own Lorenzo Benelli with the CLMA Trailblazers Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the specialty contact lens industry through vision, commitment, and long-term contribution. For us, it represents not only a personal achievement, but also a recognition of the values that guide our work every day, collaboration, technical rigor, and a constant focus on serving the industry as a whole.

Lorenzo being awarded by John Hibbs, CLMA President

The award reflects a broader shift within the industry, recognizing the role of software as a key enabler of progress in specialty contact lenses. By acknowledging the technologies that support modern manufacturing, the CLMA highlighted how innovation today is driven by collaboration between clinicians, laboratories, and technology providers. This perspective strongly aligns with our long-term commitment to building open platforms that help the industry move forward together.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to learn from many people. It began with Renato Liffredo, who introduced me to the industry and gave me the vision and tools to grow. I am grateful to my colleague Filippo for carrying that legacy forward and supporting me every day, and to the CLMA board for this recognition. Every laboratory I visited helped deepen my understanding of the craft, and I thank all those who generously shared their knowledge along the way.

Lorenzo Benelli, CTO Advance

More and more, Higher-order aberration correction continues to be a central topic across the industry. What began as a forward-looking innovation is now part of everyday clinical and manufacturing discussions. This shift reinforces the importance of solutions that are not only technologically advanced, but also accessible and production-ready. FocalPoints enVisus^® Special Feature is the only efficient solution that enables labs to deliver precise HOA corrections while maintaining their manufacturing process.

Our enVisus^® framework continues to grow through strong and open integrations with leading diagnostic technologies. Support for Ovitz and Tracey Technologies remains a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring reliability and flexibility for labs worldwide. Looking ahead, GSLS 2026 also gave us the opportunity to preview upcoming work with Wavefront Dynamics. The WaveDyn Advantage represents a promising next step in further expanding interoperability between diagnostic platforms and manufacturing workflows, reinforcing our vision of an open and scalable ecosystem.

GSLS 2026 also included a dedicated Menicon Rose-K event, celebrating the continued clinical relevance and evolution of one of the most influential lens designs in specialty contact lenses. While not tied to an anniversary, the moment served as a reminder of how strong design principles, supported by robust manufacturing tools, can stand the test of time. We remain proud of the long-standing collaboration behind Rose-K and its role in shaping modern specialty lens fitting.

GSLS 2026 provided invaluable opportunities for networking and exchange. Automation was another recurring theme at GSLS 2026. Conversations with Schneider OM focused on the upcoming Autoloader integration, a development aimed at further improving production efficiency, repeatability, and throughput for specialty lens manufacturers using the advanced SOM lathes. While still in progress, this integration reflects a broader industry direction toward smarter, more connected manufacturing environments, where software and machinery work seamlessly together.

UPC EVO Automation soon available in FocalPoints

GSLS 2026 reinforced a clear message. The specialty contact lens industry continues to move forward through collaboration, openness, and practical innovation. We are grateful for the conversations, partnerships, and shared ideas that made this year’s symposium so valuable. We look forward to continuing this journey together, translating innovation into reliable tools that support labs, practitioners, and ultimately, better patient outcomes.

Seeing Lorenzo recognized with the CLMA Trailblazers Award is a moment of great pride for all of us. This award reflects not only his personal commitment and vision, but also the values that guide our work every day, curiosity, agile thinking, and a long-term dedication to our industry.

Filippo Selden, CEO Advance