The ranking list of the first edition of “Elda Chierichetti” prize is online.
Author: silvia.trabattoni@unimib.it
“Francesco Ferrante” National Optometry Award to Dr. Facchin
Dr. Alessio Facchin, researcher at the Università Mercatorum, Rome, and COMiB’s member, was awarded the 33rd “Francesco Ferrante” National Optometry Award.
Dr. Facchin is a professional who exemplifies the integration of optometry, psychology and scientific research. His career combines academic work, scientific output, university teaching and a commitment to promoting eye health awareness.
For more information about the award motivation, read the news on Ottica Italiana.
“Elda Chierichetti” Prize: call for applications
University of Milano-Bicocca announces a competition for the awarding of the 1st “Elda Chierichetti” Prize to students enrolled, in the 2025/26 academic year, in either the first or second year of the Master’s Degree Programme in Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca, as recognition of the quality of a research project idea and to support its implementation in the field of optometry.
The Master’s Degree in Optometry and Vision Science was established in 2024 and is currently the highest-level academic programme in Optometry in Italy.
The prize is established in memory of Elda Chierichetti, who was awarded the title of Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana in 1988. She was a historic figure in Milanese optics and received a civic merit award from the Municipality of Milan in 2002.
The “Elda Chierichetti” prize was established with the aim of supporting excellence in optometry education. Its establishment was strongly supported by both Cristian Scotti, the current owner of Ottica Arnaldo Chierichetti S.r.l., and the University of Milan-Bicocca, which Elda Chierichetti has always supported with conviction, recognizing the value of university education for the growth and advancement of the optometry profession.
Applications must be submitted from 29 May 2026 to 16 June 2026.
For further details, please refer to the call for applications.
COMiB at EAOO 2026
COMIB researchers partecipated in the European Academy in Optometry and Optics (EAOO) 2026 conference, held in Riga from May 15 to 17.
During the Rapid Fire Session I: Optics and Education, Prof. Fabrizio Zeri presented: “Adaptation outcomes with progressive addition spectacle lenses in previously successful and unsuccessful wearers”. An insightful contribution exploring adaptation and wearer experience with progressive addition lenses.
During the Student and Early Career Researcher Session Giulia C. Rizzo presented “Reading performance of elderly and young people at the Rate of Reading Test (RRT)”. Special thanks to HOYA for the support.
An inspiring session at the Contact Lens SIG in collaboration with IACLE: “Current Innovations in Contact Lens and Optometric Education”. A stimulating discussion on innovation, education, and the future of optometric training. Highlights included:
• Evaluation of AI in Assessing Students’ Group Work —prof. Fabrizio Zeri
• Blended Learning: The Challenge of Engaging Participants — prof. Bruce Evans
A valuable opportunity to reflect on how AI and new educational approaches are shaping the future of optometry and contact lens education.
MuDiB optics corner
On April 14, Prof. Luca Beverina, Vice Rector for Third Mission and Relations with Businesses, inaugurated the optics instruments corner at the U9 building of the University of Milano-Bicocca, as part of the Museo Diffuso Bicocca (MuBiD).
This project originated from the donation of these instruments, which were given to Prof. Alessandro Borghesi by Aldo Buoni many years ago.
The exhibition comprises four display cases which illustrate the evolution of the scientific viewpoint by showcasing microscopes and optical instruments. This helps to promote the university’s scientific heritage and make it accessible to the university community and the local area.
“Attitudes Towards the Use of Silicone Hydrogel Daily Disposable Contact Lenses (Verofilcon A) Among Neophyte Wearers” is online
Optics and Optometry: why in Bicocca?
Watch Federica’s video to find out why you should enroll in the Bachelor’s degree course in Optics and Optometry at the University of Milano-Bicocca.
Optics and Optometry: a success story
Watch Sara’s video and enroll in the bachelor’s degree course in Optics and Optometry at the University of Milano-Bicocca!
COMiB at NCC 2026
On March 8th and 9th, COMiB researchers attended the Nederlands Contact lens Congress (NCC) 2026 in Veldhoven.
Prof. Fabrizio Zeri brought a little magic with his talk: “Potions, not poisons: optimizing contact lens solutions for comfort and safety”
Dr. Giulia Carlotta Rizzo presented her reasearch “Experiencing contact lens wear encourages young adults to consider their use: findings from the ATP study”.
Moreover, during the one-hour session “Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research” hosted by IACLE, Fabrizio Zeri and Alison Ng gave the oral presentation “Evaluation of AI in assessing students’ group work”.
UFYE team planning meeting
The UniForYourEye planning meeting held at the University of Milano–Bicocca on February 25 to continue offering free optometric assessments to the local community and learning opportunities for students.
The team consists of the Municipality of Milan, QuBi, Vanni Occhiali, Hoya, CentroStyle, Viatris, the Lions Club of Milan and the Galileo-Luxemburg Institute of Milan.