Jason Nichols, O.D., MPH, Ph.D.

A man of many accomplishments. That certainly describes the numerous professional passions and career commitments of Jason Nichols, O.D., MPH, Ph.D. An internationally recognized clinician-scientist, his pursuits range from translational research and development to entrepreneurial initiatives and research administration.

Among his many roles, Dr. Nichols is the senior associate vice president for research in the University of Alabama's Office of Research, and he also serves as editor-in-chief of EB sister publication, Contact Lens Spectrum.

Dr. Nichols also trains Ph.D. candidates and fellows—and is the head of the education committee for PentaVision’s Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) and Global Myopia Symposium (GMS). This combination places him among the top 25 most widely recognized optometrists as ranked by scholarly activity in the Global Optometrist Top 200 Research Ranking.

—Stephanie K. De Long

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Although my long-term passion in eye care is ocular surface disease and contact lenses, mentorship of the emerging generation of leaders is now a primary focus for me.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Aside from achieving professional excellence through training and experience, it is important to be inclusive, give back, be inspiring, say please and thank you, and never humblebrag—one’s record should stand for itself. Be careful how you use social media.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

Contact Lens Spectrum and its newsletters and meetings (the Global Specialty Lens and Myopia Symposia) have proudly contributed to growth in North America in areas like ocular surface disease, myopia management, and specialty contact lenses. Our sights and technologies are now focused on providing this cutting-edge clinical information to the international community.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

April Jasper, O.D., FAAO

Speaker, author, professor, association president, and editor. Those are just some of Dr. Jasper’s accomplishments. She adds to that a unique perspective on the field of optometry at large, due in part to the fact that she has worked in almost every area of optometry. Now the owner of Advanced Eyecare Specialists in West Palm Beach, FL, the community she has always called home, her previous experience includes six years as a leaseholder with Walmart.

That multifaceted approach extends to academics and affiliations as well. She has taught both ocular disease and practice management, is a past-president of the Florida Optometric Association, is medical monitor for two clinical studies, and continues to impart her knowledge with others as chief optometric editor of EB sister publication Optometric Management magazine, head of the education committee for the Optometric Management Symposium, and founder of Optometric Management Education (OME).

Given all this, it’s little wonder that Dr. Jasper was ranked 17th in the country this year by Newsweek’s “America’s Best Eye Doctors 2022.”

—S.K.D.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Optometry is a wonderful opportunity to change patients’ lives for the better. It is a joy to bring more value to patients with technology, research, new products, and eyewear.

Best advice for success in vision care and optometry today?

When you continue to learn and share what you have learned, you will be successful.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

Other peoples’ stories inspire me, so I will continue to find and connect us all to them so we can learn from and be motivated by each other.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Blair C. Wong, M.Ed, ABOM, NCLC, CRO

A unique perspective. The director of opticianry at the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (BFCIT) in Boston, Mr. Wong shares a special insight on vision with his students. He is legally blind. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s, he has experienced increasing vision loss ever since.

“Whether I am teaching or lecturing, I hope that living my reality inspires an approach to patient care that is compassionate, forward-thinking, and empowering,” he says.

Inducted into the Opticians Hall of Fame earlier this year, he is known for his energetic and passionate support of opticianry. As a mentor, inspiring people to make a difference has brought Wong numerous awards, including the Opticians Association of America President’s Service Award and the Educator of the Year Award.

—S.K.D.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

I am passionate about helping students be successful in the world, and I am focused upon advancing opticianry through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Commit to your professional growth by expanding your academic knowledge and technical skills. Explore the “power of collaboration” by becoming an active member of state and national organizations and initiatives. Exercise your opticianry talents, and better our world.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

I will focus upon expanding academic opportunities for future opticians, leadership development, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration of eye health organizations and professionals.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Jennifer Stewart, O.D.

“Believe.” That’s all Jennifer Stewart, O.D., asks.

The prolific writer, speaker, educator, and Disney enthusiast champions independent practices and advises on practice management, operations, sales, training, sports vision/safety, contact lenses, and emerging technology through OD Perspectives, the consulting/media firm she founded. She also co-founded and serves as chief vision officer for Performance 20/20, a vision performance training facility.

Dr. Stewart earned her doctorate of optometry from the New England College of Optometry, where she serves as adjunct assistant professor. Her shelves are busting with awards, with the 2022 Optical Women’s Association Emerging Leader honor among the most recent.

Her mantra: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

—Denise Power

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Education, outreach, connecting. I’ve been so fortunate to have outstanding platforms to inspire others to take control of their businesses, practice authentically, and find joy in what we do.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Find your tribe! I’m lucky to have the most incredible support in the industry. Join groups. Attend meetings. Put your phone down. Sit in the empty seat and introduce yourself to everyone! Often, we go it alone, but there is so much value in the connections we make.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

The only consistency is change. Our industry has seen huge shifts in how we practice, communicate, network, and educate, the products we use, and what we value in our personal and professional lives. I will continue to focus on what makes me tick, what makes me excited, and how I can innovate, educate, and elevate in this amazing profession!

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Harbir Sian, O.D.

Dr. Sian doesn’t want people to take their eyes for granted.

“The most coveted of our five sense is, undoubtedly, our vision,” he says. “Yet so few people take the time to have their vision and eye health examined on a regular basis.”

As the co-owner of two optometric practices in the Vancouver area and the host of Canada’s top optometry podcast, he wants to inspire the industry—and the public—to care about eye care. He’s offered his services in local mobile clinics as well as global clinics, including in the Middle East and South America.

Last year, Dr. Harbir had the opportunity to give a TEDx Talk focused on the magic of the eyes and visual system, titled “Our Eyes are the Windows to Our Soul.” —Kerri Ann Raimo

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Since the beginning of my career, I have been passionate about being an ambassador for my profession. As we know, the eyecare industry has faced a variety of challenges over the years. More recently, eye care in Canada faces disruption that has left many with questions about the strength of the industry in the future.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Remember that we have the power to determine the direction of our individual careers and our industry. The choices we make daily will determine our success in the future. Choosing to push our personal and professional boundaries, to incorporate specialties, and to do the things that will continue to elevate our profession will help keep the industry strong in the future.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

Clinically, we will continue to find new and better ways to provide the best care for our patients. We are always looking to implement new specialties and treatment modalities that will help to distinguish and elevate our practice in our patients’ eyes.

Outside of the clinic, I am excited to continue to grow “The 20/20 Podcast” and use the platform to share passionate stories and inspire our colleagues to think bigger and reach higher.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Essence Johnson, O.D., FAAO

Dr. Johnson is known to put her words into action.

“The profession is not saturated, but how we practice, where we practice, and who we provide care to is concentrated,” she says. “We need more eye doctors and to diversify our workforce and workplaces.”

As the chief visionary officer of Black EyeCare Perspective and co-founder and co-advisor to the Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club, Dr. Johnson is making these goals a reality.

And her efforts have not gone unnoticed—among her many accolades, she’s the 2022 recipient of the president’s medal at her alma mater, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.

—K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

To redefine the color of the eyecare industry 1% at a time…

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Be a mentor. Be a mentee. Be the change you would like to see.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

Self-care; creating and choosing opportunities that align with my personal beliefs and strengths, the mission, vision, and purpose of Black EyeCare Perspective, and advance the future of optometry and health care overall.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Moses Nawlo, MHA, LDO

If Moses Nawlo wasn’t always unflappable, he is now. “Uncertainties are a challenge,” he says, reflecting on the pandemic’s impact. Priorities are clearer: family, friends, colleagues, self-care, faith, career, he says.

The multilingual Nawlo (Arabic, Hebrew) is dual-licensed New York State and ABO-NCLE certified, serving as managing optician at Brooklyn’s Eyecon Optical. The Opticians Association of America (OAA)’s social media and marketing director added regional director, New York State Society of Opticians (NYSSO), to his CV this year. He earned his master’s in health care administration from Walden University and bachelor’s in biochemistry from Hunter College.

Among his accolades: OAA Future Leader Award and NYSSO Future of Opticianry Award. —D.P.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Taking on more leadership roles. I am passionate about working with the Opticians Association of America as social media and marketing director, annual leadership conference chair, and student-to-leadership program director. My principles align with their mission: eyecare awareness, promoting the industry, and representing opticians nationally.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Join your state association and attend events to stay abreast of industry trends and make your voice heard. You'll expand your social network with individuals who share your passion and ambitions for the betterment of the profession. My involvement, both nationally and locally, grants me the opportunity to do that. If your state does not have an association, take the initiative and start one.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

The best we can do is be prepared and emerge with newfound strength and growth. Personally, [Covid] put into perspective who and what matters. Whether it’s relationships, personal development, or professional advancement, all interconnect for support and balance. This helps me focus and be ready for any shake-ups.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Assia Valentin

Atelier Mira is a Brooklyn staple.

The luxury optical boutique has been featured in The New York Times, received Vision Expo’s OPTImum Retail Award, and continuously rakes in rave reviews; just peruse the comments on Yelp: “one of my favorite spots in Brooklyn, truly a destination stop,” “incredible from start to finish,” and “a needle in a haystack in NYC area”—just to highlight a few.

Assia Valentin co-owns the successful shop with her husband, Rama, the son of Anne and Alain (aka Val) Valentin, creators of the groundbreaking namesake brand. Assia and Rama co-founded eyewear distribution company Ramassia more than 20 years ago.

“Assia and others here will suggest frames to you that somehow are flattering and mind-altering and you never would have picked them yourself because you didn't think they were you,” writes one Yelp reviewer.

Simply put: She knows her stuff.

—K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Sharing the beautiful way in which eyewear can be perceived as art, in a way that displays the diversity of our cultural values. We pride ourselves in being able to showcase amazing crafted brands from all over the world.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Stay active in your community and be aware of the culture around you. The key part is to offer a space open and welcoming of others where, ultimately, we challenge our team to provide our customers with the most up-to-date expertise.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

How we figure out ways to translate our personalized in-store experience in the virtual, online world. Staying independent in an industry that is becoming highly concentrated is another challenge. Today, our immediate focus is to get into our new store location to create an environment true to our values for our customers.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Nadia Afkhami, O.D., M.S.

Freshly minted optometrist Nadia Afkhami, O.D., has the wisdom of an old soul and timing of a stand-up comic, a potent combo that brings smiles in the exam room and on social media.

Born in Iran and fluent in Farsi, the former Transitions Student Ambassador grew up in Florida, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical sciences before graduating from Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry in May 2022.

Alerted a recent video she posted went viral sans credit, Dr. Afkhami shrugged and posted: “It’s not about views and going viral.” It’s about fun.

—D.P.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

Educating the public about the importance of eye exams to maintain not only your eye health but also your overall health care. I want to dispel misconceptions that we only care about refractive errors and that we are not valued as primary care physicians for eye health. I am dedicated to uplifting women, especially from minority backgrounds, to encourage them to pursue careers in science and health care.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Learn your audience and market online to make a name for yourself and your practice. Whether you use Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or TikTok, be yourself and be vulnerable enough for people to relate to you and get to know you.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

Exploring avenues of specialized optometry such as dry eye treatments, specialty contact lenses, and other such concentrations will help expand the patient base and help with more than just prescription eyeglasses and contact lens needs.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…

Tyjia Sherman, ABOC, NCLEC, LDO

A force within her community, Tyjia Sherman began her professional journey as an educator. Observing the wonder and curiosity of children inspired her to pursue opportunities that allowed her to work toward equity—and she hit the ground running.

The Opticians Association of America (OAA) recognized her promising abilities as a student and honored her with OAA Student to Leadership Grant in 2017 and 2018. After graduating, she quickly became an approved ABO-NCLE speaker before being elected as chair of the OAA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Currently, she works for Vision To Learn, a nonprofit that provides free eye exams for kids in underserved communities; giving a child their first pair of glasses, she shares, is the most rewarding aspect of her profession.

—Veronica Daub

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

To provide a space where sensible, smart, and kind human beings can envision a more equitable world.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Be the change that you want to see. If you can see it, you can be it.

What will you be focusing on in the year ahead to adapt to the current climate in the industry?

We all should focus on the fact that opticians are essential. When people were told to work from home, opticians were on the call of duty. Be it the product of evolution, grit, or just pure hustle, we have the capacity for resilience. As I adapt to the current climate in the industry, and the year ahead, I intend to focus on gaining traction toward health equity. Health is wealth. Covid-19 reiterated that lesson, which inadvertently highlighted long-standing systemic health and social inequalities.

“As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2022, I feel…