VSP Vision Launches Third Annual Innovation Challenge; Releases New Report on ‘The Patient of the Future’

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - Today, VSP Vision^™ announced the launch of the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a worldwide call for visionary solutions that elevate the eye care experience and empower optometrists. Hosted by the VSP^® Global Innovation Center, alongside partners Vision Expo, Topcon Healthcare, Inc., and Silicon Foundry, the third annual challenge seeks to address the guiding question, "How might we enhance the eye care experience to drive more value for patients and providers?"

To this end, the VSP Global Innovation Center also published timely new research that explores the future of healthcare from the patient perspective. 'The Patient of the Future' examines everything from AI-enabled wearables and at-home diagnostics to flexible self-pay models and the rise of provider influencers - proving that patients are leveraging technology to redefine how they manage and monitor their health, now and into the future.

"The launch of our 2026 Innovation Challenge invites bold ideas that can have a positive impact on the future of eyecare, while our new Futurist Report, 'The Patient of the Future,' underscores the transformative trends already changing the patient experience," said Will Flanagan, Head of VSP Global Innovation Center Programs and Partnerships." Together, these initiatives reflect VSP Vision's commitment to connecting the optical industry with emerging solutions that deliver greater personalization, accessibility, and value for patients and providers alike."

2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge
As technology advances and new care models emerge, there is growing interest in the eye care experience as an accessible entry point into the healthcare system. The 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge is designed to identify, support, and scale solutions that take into account the needs of both providers and patients.

Participants of the VSP Innovation Challenge will benefit from:

• A four-week bootcamp focused on optometry-specific business development.
• The opportunity to pitch live on stage at Vision Expo in Orlando in March 2026.
• Exposure to strategic partners, investors, and key opinion leaders.
• The potential to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon's THINC Ventures capital arm or the opportunity to present directly to THINC Ventures.

Key Dates:

• Applications Open: December 1-14, 2025
• Finalists Announced: January 2026
• Bootcamp: February 2026
• Final Pitch Day: March 13, 2026, at Vision Expo in Orlando

"Winning the 2025 VSP Innovation Challenge has been a pivotal moment for our company. It put us on the radar of several industry leaders and sparked an unprecedented amount of interest and business development opportunities," said Alessandro Grillini-Kromm, CEO & Founder of Reyedar and late-stage winner of the 2025 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge.

For more information about the VSP Innovation Challenge, including how to apply, evaluation criteria, and additional benefits of participation, visit here.

'The Patient of the Future' Futurist Report
The future of healthcare is being shaped by trends that prioritize personalization, accessibility, and patient empowerment. Here are some of the key findings in 'The Patient of the Future':

• Healthcare is becoming more proactive and accessible, driven by AI-enabled wearables (58.7% of VSP Vision Care members are currently using or are interested in wearables) and democratized diagnostics. Patients are shifting from passive tracking to active health optimization, using smart devices and remote monitoring to manage chronic conditions and share real-time data with providers.

• At the same time, diagnostics are moving beyond labs into homes and everyday environments, with portable tools and at-home tests empowering earlier detection and personalized care. In fact, 65.9% of VSP Vision Care members surveyed said they're interested in personalized health insights powered by their own data. Together, these trends signal a future where individuals are more engaged, informed, and equipped to manage their health anytime, anywhere.

• The rise of provider influencers is transforming how patients access care and information. Through social media and digital platforms, clinicians are building trust and guiding health decisions, empowering patients to engage with doctors in new ways as part of their health journeys.

Read 'The Patient of the Future' report here.

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About VSP Vision
At VSP Vision^™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP^® has been a leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for millions of members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Eyes of Hope^®. To date, more than 4.3 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we're reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.