BostonSight trains 28 residents and fellows at annual FitAcademy retreat

BostonSight held its eighth annual FitAcademy retreat for cornea and contact lens residents and fellows at New England College of Optometry in Boston on Sept. 11-12, 2026. The event focused on scleral lens fitting, troubleshooting and medical management as BostonSight works to expand specialty lens training and access.

Why it matters: - BostonSight uses FitAcademy to train the next generation of specialty lens providers. - The retreat supports scleral lens access and clinical care training for patients with complex corneal and contact lens needs. - The program is designed to improve patient outcomes by strengthening early-career education in specialty lens care.

What happened: - BostonSight held its 8th annual FitAcademy Retreat for Cornea and Contact Lens Residents and Fellows at New England College of Optometry in Boston on Sept. 11-12, 2026. - Twenty-eight cornea and contact lens residents and fellows from sites across the United States and Canada attended. - The retreat focused on strategies to fit and troubleshoot scleral lenses. - The program also emphasized the eye’s physiological function and the Beyond the Fit medical management approach for scleral lens patients. - The retreat included a hands-on wet lab and training on scleral lens application and removal.

The details: - Karen G. Carrasquillo, OD, PhD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, BostonSight’s chief innovation and education officer and founder and director of FitAcademy programs, thanked sponsors for helping keep the event at little to no cost for attendees. - Sponsors included NECO, Glaukos Corporation, Lenz Therapeutics, Contamac, Tangible Science, John and Linda Henry and the Boston Red Sox, and Evan J. Haberman. - Dr. Carrasquillo said the support reflects a commitment to early-career education for specialty lens optometrists and to improving patient outcomes. - FitAcademy was led by Dr. Carrasquillo. - BostonSight staff teaching this year included Bita Asghari, OD, FAAO, FSLS; Michelle Kong, OD; Chirag Patel, OD, FAAO; and Daniel Brocks, MD. - Invited faculty included Gloria Chiu, OD, FAAO, FSLS, of the USC Roski Eye Institute; Clark Y. Chang, OD, MSA, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, of Wills Eye Hospital and EssilorLuxottica; Rutvi Doshi, OD, FAAO, FSLS, of Glaukos; Anita Gulmiri, OD, FAAO, FSLS, of Lenz Therapeutics and NECO; and Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS, of NECO. - BostonSight sends invitations to residency sites each year. - Residency directors can request inclusion on the invite list through FitAcademy.

Between the lines: - BostonSight is pairing education with industry and academic support to lower barriers to specialty training. - The mix of BostonSight staff, academic faculty and industry clinicians suggests a curriculum built around both clinical practice and practical device use. - The retreat’s focus on scleral lens troubleshooting and removal training reflects the hands-on skills residents need early in specialty practice.

What's next: - BostonSight will continue sending annual invitations to residency sites for future FitAcademy events. - Cornea and contact lens residency directors can join the invite list through the program link. - BostonSight is continuing its broader effort to expand access to scleral lenses and specialty care training worldwide.

The bottom line: - BostonSight is using FitAcademy to build a pipeline of specialty lens clinicians while keeping the training accessible and practical.