Prevent Blindness presented the 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award, to Jim McGrann, CEO of Advancing Eyecare, as part of its annual Person of Vision gala on March 11, in conjunction with Vision Expo in Orlando, Fla.
Chosen by an all-volunteer committee, the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision (POV) Award recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. Speakers at the gala included Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president of EssilorLuxottica Americas, and Mr. McGrann’s college roommate, Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut and New York Times bestselling author. Long-time volunteer Maureen Cavanagh, Board Director at Advancing Eyecare, was presented with the Prevent Blindness Distinguished Service Award.
Jim McGrann, CEO of Advancing Eyecare, and 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Honoree, and Sue Downes, CEO and Co-founder of MyEyeDr., Prevent Blindness Board of Directors member, and past Person of Vision Honoree, attend the 2026 Person of Vision gala at Vision Expo.
Matt MacDonald, President and Global Head of Managed Care at EyeMed Vision Care, Prevent Blindness Board of Directors Chair, Jim McGrann, CEO of Advancing Eyecare, and 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Honoree, and Jeff Todd, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness, attend the 2026 Person of Vision gala at Vision Expo.
The gala raised more than $400,000, a record POV event total for Prevent Blindness. During the gala, donations made to Prevent Blindness were matched up to $32,000 by The Healey-Downes Family Charitable Group; Bart Foster, CEO of BusinessOutside; The Marco Family Foundation, David and Julie Marco; and an anonymous donor. For those who would still like to contribute to Prevent Blindness, gifts may be made at https://bycell.co/cywna, or by texting SIGHT to 1-833-711-1621 (message and data rates may apply). All proceeds go to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness.
Platinum Sponsors for the 2026 Person of Vision gala included Advancing Eyecare and EssilorLuxottica. Jobson was a Silver Sponsor. Kering Eyewear and Maui Jim Sunglasses, Marcolin, PECAA, and VSP served as Bronze Sponsors. Reception Sponsors were EyeMed Vision Care, Vision Expo, and Zyloware-Kenmark Eyewear. Table+ Sponsors included ABB Optical Group, AEG Vision, Bausch + Lomb, Capstone Lawrence, DigitalOptometrics, 2024 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Honoree Ed Buffington and Kavanagh Consulting (Cosponsors), Europa Eyewear, iOR Partners, MyEyeDr., Newton, Ocuco, Pair Eyewear, Safilo, ShermanSamuels, Teem LLC and Zeiss. MacuHealth, National Vision, The Optical Women’s Association, Opti-Port, Shamir, and The Vision Council were Table Sponsors.
Ms. Cavanagh served in her final year of Chair of the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Committee. Additional committee members included Marge Axelrad, Editorial Director Emeritus, Vision Monday (VM); Deb Bulken, Luxottica Wholesale; Pascale Desroches, EssilorLuxottica; Sue Downes, MyEyeDr.; Marc Ferrara, Jobson Medical Information; Bart Foster, BusinessOutside; Dr. Justin Manning, PECAA; Jamie Shyer, Zyloware-Kenmark Eyewear; Andy Skitmore, Europa Eyewear; and Kristen Tischler, Advancing Eyecare. The Person of Vision Subcommittee members are Marge Axelrad, Editorial Director Emeritus, Vision Monday (VM); Maureen Cavanagh, Advancing Eyecare; Pascale Desroches, EssilorLuxottica; and Brian Stansifer, EssilorLuxottica.
“On behalf of the Prevent Blindness family, we thank everyone who supported this year’s Person of Vision Award Gala honoring Jim McGrann,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Jim’s contributions to the optical industry and his commitment to improving vision and eye health across the country make him truly deserving of this recognition. We also extend tremendous gratitude to Maureen Cavanaugh for her leadership in guiding the POV Committee to record-breaking success.”
For more information on the 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award event, please contact Albert Muci at [email protected].
