(PRESS RELEASE) CORAL SPRINGS, FL — ABB Optical Group announced that registration is open for the company’s 12th Annual Optometry Student Challenge. Third- and fourth-year optometry students are invited to submit an abstract on a student-based case report or research study project focused on contact lenses. Three winners will receive a $1,500 travel grant to attend the 2027 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) and present their award-winning scientific posters.
Students may register at abboptical.com/OptometryStudentChallenge and will have until October 14, 2026 to submit their abstract on a contact lens topic of their choosing. Eligible subject areas include, but are not limited to: presbyopia, keratoconus, corneal topography, post penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface conditions, myopia control, lens care and solutions, custom soft lenses, ortho-k instrumentation for measurement of the ocular surface and sports/performance vision. A panel of expert judges will review all submissions and select six finalists, who will be notified by October 21, 2026.
“The Optometry Student Challenge gives students a meaningful opportunity to apply their clinical knowledge, connect with professionals in the field, and gain experience presenting their research on a national platform,” said Dede Reyes, Director, Specialty Customer Engagement, Specialty Vision Products for ABB Optical Group. “Supporting students at this stage of their training is an important part of how ABB invests in the future of the profession.”
Finalists will be selected to develop their abstracts into scientific posters by November 25, 2026, and they will present their work during a live virtual event on December 10, 2026. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite poster presentations, with those scores factored in the final judging. Three winners will receive travel grants, and three finalists will be recognized as honorable mention recipients and awarded $250.
“Twelve years in, the Optometry Student Challenge still energizes our entire organization,” said Daniel Liberman, Chief Executive Officer of ABB Optical Group. “There’s something powerful about watching students step into this profession with confidence and curiosity — bringing research that matters to real patients and real practices. ABB is proud to help open doors for them early.”
Key Dates
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- September 30, 2026 – Registration Deadline
- October 14, 2026 – Abstract Submission Deadline
- October 21, 2026 – 6 Finalists Selected
- November 25, 2026 – Finalist Scientific Posters Deadline
- December 10, 2026 – Live Virtual Poster Presentations
