A Look at 25 Years of GSLS and Specialty Lenses

In this year’s keynote speech, Craig Norman and Patrick Caroline took a walk down memory lane to examine the last 2 and a half decades of both the Global Specialty Lens Symposium and specialty contact lenses.

By
Deborah Fisher
January 1, 2026
7 min

Contact Lens Spectrum

Overview

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) has evolved over 25 years from a focus on orthokeratology to encompassing myopia control and modern scleral lenses. GSLS has been pivotal in introducing key research, innovations, and management strategies for specialty lenses, shaping clinical practice worldwide.

Background

GSLS began as the Global Orthokeratology Symposium and transitioned through the Global Keratoconic Congress before becoming GSLS in 2009. Initially centered on orthokeratology, the meeting expanded to include myopia control and the reintroduction of scleral lenses. GSLS has provided a unique platform dedicated specifically to specialty contact lenses, fostering global collaboration and innovation in the field.

Data Highlights

Year	Event/Highlight	Impact
2002	First orthokeratology-focused GSLS meeting	Introduced ortho-k as a potential myopia control method
2005	Publication of Pauline Cho's prospective ortho-k study	Demonstrated significant impact on axial eye growth
2011	Introduction of modern scleral lenses at GSLS	Advancements in scleral lens design and fitting techniques
Annual	Poster sessions	~130 posters/year; >2,800 posters total presented at GSLS
Present	Global participation	300+ attendees initially from 30 countries; now >30 countries and 60-70 exhibitors annually

Key Findings

GSLS originated as a meeting focused on orthokeratology and evolved to cover a broad range of specialty lenses.
Pauline Cho's 2005 study was seminal in establishing orthokeratology as an effective myopia control strategy.
Modern scleral lenses were reintroduced and developed extensively through GSLS presentations starting around 2011.
GSLS has been instrumental in addressing complications related to scleral lenses, such as midday fogging and intraocular pressure changes.
The symposium has grown into a global event with extensive research dissemination, including thousands of poster presentations.
GSLS provides a unique, focused forum for specialty lens practitioners, fostering innovation and collaboration worldwide.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should recognize GSLS as a key source of cutting-edge research and clinical guidance in specialty contact lenses, particularly for orthokeratology and scleral lenses. The symposium’s focus on managing complications and advancing lens design informs best practices in patient care. Engagement with GSLS findings can enhance outcomes in myopia control and complex corneal conditions.

Conclusion

Over 25 years, GSLS has transformed from a niche orthokeratology meeting into a comprehensive global forum driving specialty lens innovation and clinical excellence. Its ongoing contributions continue to shape the future of contact lens practice worldwide.