July 13, 2021 — ABB Optical Group, in conjunction with Paragon Vision Sciences, has announced that it is accepting abstract submissions for the seventh annual Optometry Student Challenge. 

The challenge will award travel grants of $1,500 each to three third or fourth-year optometry students to attend the 2022 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), held on Jan. 19-22, 2022, in Las Vegas and to present a scientific poster on a topic, of the student’s choice, related to contact lenses. 

"Even in the midst of the uncertainty during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, we had an incredible response from optometry students who amazed us with their outstanding submissions and we certainly expect even better participation for this year’s challenge," says ABB’s professional education consultant, Dede Reyes. "We’re very excited to once again offer challenge winners the opportunity to travel to the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, present their winning posters, and connect with their eyecare industry peers. The passion, dedication, and commitment to their chosen profession are evident in each student’s submission, and we look forward to seeing what the 2021 challenge brings.” 

In December 2021, ABB and Paragon Vision Sciences will host a live webinar for the top six finalists to present their posters virtually, with attendees voting on their favorite presentation. Those scores will be incorporated in the overall judging of the winners. In 2020, more than 230 attendees participated in the webinar and supported finalists during their live virtual poster presentations. 

“We at ABB are so inspired and impressed by every student who has participated in previous Optometry Student Challenge events, and we know the contestants for 2021 will continue to amaze us,” says ABB CEO Tom Burke. “We look forward to the collaboration and participation from optometry schools, industry business partners, and other supporters as we look to make this year’s challenge the best one yet.” 

For the full list of rules for the Optometry Student Challenge, including the registration deadline, abstract categories, and more information on the prize, click here.

“The optical industry of tomorrow is in the hands of the bright, intelligent optometry students of today,” says David Raimondo, general manager of the Americas for Paragon Vision Sciences. “We’re proud to once again partner with ABB Optical Group to bring the Optometry Student Challenge to encourage and support the next generation of optometrists. We hope that the continuation of the live presentation component will help bring our industry together in support of encouraging these students to continue with their passion.” 

For more information: ABBOptical.com/OptometryStudentChallenge.