SWITCH welcomed thousands of customers, as well as media and influential voices from around the world for a look at the future of the optical industry.

SWITCH, held in Orlando (March 9–11) and Monaco (April 13–15), brought together eye care professionals (ECPs), partners, media, company leaders, and experts across science, medicine, and technology to explore a common ambition: understanding how AI, neuroscience, and other breakthrough innovations are transforming vision care - and extending far beyond it. The “beyond” perspective proved central, opening new ways to think about the role of vision in health, technology, and everyday life. What emerged was not just a successful event series, but the foundation of a new global platform for dialogue, discovery, and transformation.

From Orlando to Monaco: One Vision, Global Scale

Orlando set the tone with a gathering of more than 1,000 leading doctors, scientists, academia, entrepreneurs, and cultural voices to examine how the convergence of artificial intelligence, medical science, and wearable technology is reshaping the future of vision care. Attendees from dozens of countries across the Americas enjoyed a futuristic, experiential approach that highlighted the opportunities in areas like AI-powered eyewear, med-tech innovation, and myopia management.

Monaco carried that momentum onto the global stage. Hosted at the Grimaldi Forum, it brought together more than 1,100 participants from over 70 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, sending a clear message: the future won’t wait. The event spotlighted three powerful shifts reshaping the industry: the eye is becoming a window into overall health; glasses are evolving into an intelligent interface to life; and care systems must build a stronger frontline, closer to people. At the heart of it all are ECPs, the trusted frontline for millions, uniquely positioned to turn innovation into better care, stronger relationships, and greater impact.

Across both editions, a common direction emerged: vision care is expanding beyond its traditional boundaries, creating new opportunities, together with EssilorLuxottica’s optical partners, to shape what comes next.

A Turning Point for the Industry

One defining insight ran throughout SWITCH: the eye is increasingly understood not only as a means of vision, but as a window into overall health and a bridge to the brain. Advances in imaging and artificial intelligence are enabling earlier detection of systemic and neurological conditions, turning routine eye exams into critical health checkpoints. At the same time, eyewear itself is evolving. It is becoming an intelligent interface, blending performance, prevention, assistance, and personal expression. In a world where healthcare systems are under pressure, ECPs are uniquely positioned to step forward, playing a stronger frontline role in early detection, patient guidance, and continuous care.

An Innovative Experience

The SWITCH program was designed as a high-touch, engaging experience, brought through a 360° immersive journey. Plenary sessions and keynotes explored the frontiers of AI, wearables, med-tech and luxury, while specialized learning sessions provided deeper insights into topics such as smart eyewear, myopia management, and aging-care personalization. At the heart of the Monaco experience was the “Switch Your Store” installation, an immersive environment that translated strategy into a tangible vision of the future optical practice. Participants explored an integrated ecosystem spanning connected eyewear, advanced lenses, diagnostics, AI-powered insights, and even hearing solutions. Brand activations further brought this ecosystem to life, showcasing how technology, design and lifestyle converge, from smart glasses and light management to luxury frames and accessories. Demonstrations such as light therapy experiences illustrate how innovation can directly enhance patient comfort and outcomes. Together, these elements created a seamless journey from inspiration to practical application, showing how tomorrow’s optical store can drive better patient outcomes, stronger differentiation, and new growth opportunities.

SWITCH arrives at a pivotal moment, bringing together expertise, innovation, and partnerships to turn ideas into action. It reinforces EssilorLuxottica’s role as a partner to ECPs, helping translate rapid change into better care, stronger relationships, and sustainable growth.

And this is just the beginning. SWITCH will continue as an annual global event, bringing teams together across practices, stores, labs, and partnerships worldwide to shape the future of vision care.

A selection of recordings from SWITCH will be made available on Leonardo.

Discover the event highlights below: