Caroline Receives National Award For Specialty Contact Lens Advocacy

Pacific University Associate Professor of Optometry Patrick Caroline has been honored for his longtime research and advocacy in the field of medically necessary specialty contact lenses.

Caroline received the 2026 Award of Excellence from the Global Specialty Lens Symposium. The award recognizes a distinguished clinician, school or scientist whose lifelong work has significantly advanced the field of contact lenses, especially specialty lenses. Honorees are recognized for contributions in development, clinical practice, education, knowledge translation and scholarly activity.

Caroline was presented with the award at the January 2026 Global Specialty Lens Symposium in Las Vegas.

“It is indeed an exciting time to be part of the specialty contact lens industry,” Caroline said in a release announcing his selection for the Award of Excellence. “I’m humbled to be a simple participant in something that has provided so much joy to so many patients. However, it is we, the providers of these complex plastic marvels, who are truly the fortunate ones since we have the opportunity to witness the life-changing ‘miracles’ these lenses provide for our patients.”

A member of the Pacific University College of Optometry faculty since 1996, Caroline is a fellow member and diplomat of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry. He has been a contributing editor for Contact Lens Spectrum magazine for the last 30 years. Caroline has published more than 360 academic papers, authored more than 150 scientific posters, and has lectured in all 50 states and on six continents.

Caroline received his ophthalmic training at the University of Minnesota College for Physician Assistants in Ophthalmology in 1974. He received additional fellowship training in contact lenses at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Ophthalmology.