Eyecare Business delivers the latest updates across the eyecare industry, from appointments to achievements and other notable news. This week includes updates from CooperVision, the World Council of Optometry (WCO), and Pearle Vision.

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CooperVision has appointed Muru Annamalai as president, Asia-Pacific, effective June 1. Annamalai brings more than 2 decades of global leadership experience across the pharmaceutical and health care sectors, driving growth across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and other global markets. He has held a series of senior leadership roles with AbbVie and Abbott, and most recently, he served as a vice president with TCA Venture Group, where he was active in the venture and investment community, supporting innovation and growth initiatives in health care. Annamalai replaces Richard Cheshire, who held the position since November 2025, and Cheshire will support Annamalai's onboarding through August 2026.

The World Council of Optometry has announced the chairs for its standing committees for the 2026–2028 term, confirming leadership across its education, legislation, registration and standards (LRS), and public health committees. The organization also noted that applications for Standing Committee Members will open from June 22 to July 13.

• Professor Vanessa Moodley has been acclaimed as chair of the education committee for the 2026-2028 term, continuing her leadership in advancing global optometry education initiatives.

• Roger Jordan, OD, FAAO, will continue as chair of the LRS committee for a third term, maintaining oversight of work related to legislation, registration, and standards in optometric practice.

• Ntombikayise Zitha has also been acclaimed to continue as chair of the public health committee, focusing on global efforts in eye health education, awareness, and disease prevention.

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Pearle Vision has acquired West Point Optical Group (WPOG), its largest franchisee, which operates 90 Pearle Vision eyecare centers across the United States. Founded by Bill Noble, WPOG has been part of the Pearle Vision franchise network since 2014 and has expanded from 10 locations in Ohio to a multistate footprint over that period. Under the transaction, ownership of the 90-location group transfers to Pearle Vision, bringing the centers directly under the company’s corporate portfolio while remaining within the Pearle Vision network.