Grand Rapids, MI – Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc., a leading provider of custom contact lenses, in partnership with Contamac, has named Julia Berry, BS, as the recipient of its Specialty Contact Lens Travel Grant for the upcoming American Academy of Optometry (AAO) meeting in Anaheim, California.
Berry, a third-year optometry student at Drexel University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry, was selected for her innovative application of an Art Optical lens design to address a complex patient case. The grant provides financial assistance for Berry to attend AAO 2026, where she will present her poster, “Scleral Lens Fitting in a Post-Keratoplasty Patient with Severe Visual Impairment.”
“Specialty contact lenses are about restoring vision and transforming patients’ lives,” said Jill Anastor, President of Art Optical. “Julia’s work demonstrates how advanced fitting strategies can overcome complex visual challenges, and we are proud to support future leaders as they share their clinical contributions with our industry.”
As dedicated supporters of optometric education, Art Optical and Contamac offer travel grant opportunities to students, residents, and early-career ODs pursuing specialty contact lens practice. Since launching the program in 2022, Art Optical has recognized 26 rising professionals with funding to attend major industry conferences.
To review past winning submissions, grant qualifications, or application details for 2027 professional contact lens meetings, visit www.artoptical.com/travelgrant.
