Contact Lens Institute® (CLI) Culture Awards honors eye care professionals who foster a positive contact lens culture, demonstrating behaviors that elevate patient experiences and support business success, as reflected in CLI’s recent See Tomorrow research reports.

Individuals within the U.S. and Canadian eye care community who prescribe or support soft contact lenses are eligible for consideration. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged. Previous winners will continue to be celebrated and do not need to reapply. Complete nomination information is available at contactlensinstitute.org/awards.

“Each year, the Contact Lens Institute Culture Awards highlight eye care professionals who are making a lasting difference through the way they recommend, support, and champion contact lens wear,” said Stan Rogaski, executive director of Contact Lens Institute. “Their commitment to patient education, practice excellence, and team engagement helps create stronger contact lens cultures that benefit both patients and practices. We look forward to recognizing another outstanding group of innovators and advocates across the U.S. and Canada.”

Nominators simply need to provide a concise response (750 words or less in total) that addresses at least two of the following questions:

• How has the nominee enhanced patient outcomes using soft contact lenses?

• What initiatives, processes, or projects has the nominee put into place in their practice that enhances a positive culture for recommending soft contact lenses and patient wear?

• How does the nominee engage practice staff to take an active advocacy role for healthy, healthy, safe use, and happy soft contact lens wear?

• Can you describe a particular nominee-patient interaction that exemplifies how soft contact lenses have changed or improved a patient’s life, and which may inspire colleagues?

Nominators are encouraged to reference positive contact lens behaviors identified in recent See Tomorrow reports, which are available for online viewing or download at https://www.contactlensinstitute.org/resources/see-tomorrow/.

Nominations must include the name/location/practice name/contact information of the candidate(s), as well as the name/affiliation/contact information for the nominator. Groups are eligible as long as all individuals are named, with a clearly designated leader. Entries must be emailed no later than October 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET to cli@contactlensinstitute.org. The submission can be written within the body of the email or attached as a Word or PDF document. Questions may be sent to the same address.

Selection will be at the sole discretion of the CLI Board of Directors. Honorees will be announced by Contact Lens Institute in November 2026, with ongoing recognition into the following year.