NEWARK, N.J.—Vision Monday and 20/20 magazine are hosting the 18th annual EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards to identify the optical industry’s favorite products and companies this year. These two Jobson Medical Information publications are teaming up once again to get readers’ opinions by asking optical retailers and ECPs to identify their favorite products in 21 distinct categories. Selected companies for each category will be chosen based on brand and/or company choices supplied by readers. Only votes from ECPs, optical retail managers and lab executives/managers will be counted. The link for the 2026 EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards survey is posted here.
This year’s survey will include several new categories, indicated in the list of EyeVote 2026 categories below:
• Company Categories: New this year for all company categories, the top two companies receiving the most votes will be honored.
• Optical Frames: Teen Brand and Kids Brand categories have been eliminated and a Youth Brand category has been added. The frames category will now feature a Boutique Brand category, defined as brands focusing on design and craftsmanship that control their own manufacturing and distribution, operating independently from major licensing groups.
• Sunglasses: The Men’s Sport Brand and Women’s Sport Brand categories have been eliminated, and an Adult Sport Brand category has been added. The Kids Brand category has been eliminated, and a Youth Sport Brand category has been added. The sunglasses category will now feature a Boutique Brand category, defined as brands focusing on design and craftsmanship that control their own manufacturing and distribution, operating independently from major licensing groups.
• Rx Sun Lenses
• Spectacle Lenses
• Contact Lenses: The Toric Monthly Replacement Brand category has been eliminated, and the Toric Multi-Use Brand (bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) category has been added. The Multifocal Monthly Replacement Brand category has been eliminated, and the Multifocal Multi-Use Brand category (bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) has been added.
• Optical Equipment for Wholesale Prescription Labs
• Optical/Supplies/Consumables/Tools
• ECP/Retail In-Office Lab Equipment
• Diagnostic Instruments
• Practice Management Software
• EHR Software
• Dispensing/Measuring/Fitting Systems
• Patient Engagement Systems
• Online Ordering Website
• Social Purpose
• Online and Social Media Marketing Services
• Telehealth Solution
• Sustainability: The Sustainable Materials Sunwear category and Sustainable Material Frames category have been eliminated and the Sustainable Materials Frames & Sunwear category has been added.
• Low Vision & Assistive Technology
• Digital Measurement Tools
• Smart Eyewear
“Our annual EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards is a wonderful way to make your voices heard as you select the top brands, products and companies in our industry across a variety of sectors,” said Anne Cooper, editorial director of Vision Monday and 20/20. “We are also excited to announce select updates and new categories for the awards this year as we stay responsive to the ever-evolving landscape within the optical industry. Be sure to cast your votes by the September 28 and stay tuned to VMAIL for EyeVote news and updates.”
It only takes a few minutes to cast your vote, which entitles you to a chance to win a $500 American Express gift card or one of two runner-up prizes of $100 American Express gift cards. Voting for EyeVote is officially open and will take place through September 28, when the nominations will close at 11:59 p.m. EST.
