Aug. 18, 2022 — ABB Optical Group and CooperVision Specialty EyeCare have announced the eighth annual Optometry Student Challenge, a chance for third- and fourth-year students to win a $1,500 travel grant to the 2023 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) in Las Vegas.
"We are excited to offer our Optometry Student Challenge once again and provide winners the opportunity to travel to the GSLS. This is a great opportunity for optometry students to present their work and connect with their peers in the eyecare industry,” says ABB manager, consultation & education, specialty contact lens, Dede Reyes. “The future is bright with a new wave of committed and passionate eye care professionals soon to join our industry. We can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.”
ABB and CooperVision Specialty EyeCare will hold a live webinar in December, and the top six student challenge finalists will present their posters virtually. Attendees can vote on their favorite poster presentation, and those scores will be incorporated in the overall judging of the winners. The winner will present their winning scientific poster at GSLS, set to take place Jan. 18-21, 2023.
Interested students must register by Aug. 31 and submit an abstract on their proposed poster topic (which must be related to contact lenses) by Oct. 15.
“The Student Challenge is one of our favorite events each year because of the connection and collaboration it brings to students, optometry schools, and industry leaders,” says ABB Optical group CEO Tom Burke. “We are always inspired by the fresh perspectives the contestants bring to the table and we think this is a great steppingstone for them to network as they start their careers in optometry.”
“Specialty contact lenses are an art and a science. This challenge encourages optometry students to learn about specialty lenses and make a difference for patients now and into the future,” says Kelly Voltz, O.D., FAAO, FSLS, senior manager, professional and clinical affairs, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare.
For more information, including full contest rules and guidelines: abboptical.com.