{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"166344","rtpr_id":"nBw3HbpK5a-20261012","ticker":"EYE","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["EYE"],"title":"National Vision Launches 2026-2027 Scholarship Program, Exploring the Balance Between Innovation and Human Connection","author":"Business Wire","published_at":"2026-10-12T12:04:00.090Z","article_body":"National Vision Launches 2026-2027 Scholarship Program, Exploring the Balance\nBetween Innovation and Human Connection\n\nAnnual Program Marks Its 12th Year With $12,500 in Scholarships for Future\nOptometrists\n\nNational Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the largest optical\nretail companies in the United States, announced today that its annual\nscholarship program is open for entries, offering eligible optometry students\nthe opportunity to win up to $7,500.\n\nThis year’s scholarship program challenges students to explore the topic of,\n“Balancing Innovation and Human Connection.” Third- and fourth-year\noptometry students are invited to submit written or video essays examining how\noptometrists can embrace new technologies and tools while preserving the\ntrust, empathy and personal connections that are central to quality patient\ncare.\n\nAs innovations such as artificial intelligence, advanced diagnostics and\ndigital health solutions become further integrated into healthcare, students\nare encouraged to consider which aspects of the patient experience should\nalways remain human and how technology can enhance care without losing sight\nof the relationships at its core.\n\n“Innovation is creating exciting opportunities for the future of optometry,\nbut the connection between doctors and their patients will always be\nfundamental to quality care,” said Alexander Smith, O.D., Head of Doctor\nNetwork at National Vision. “We want to hear from the next generation of\noptometrists about how they envision using new tools to enhance the patient\nexperience while continuing to build the trust and personal relationships that\nmake a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”\n\nSubmissions for the 2026-2027 scholarship program are open via National\nVision’s scholarship program portal to students in good standing with an\noptometry school in the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada. In addition to the\nfirst-place $7,500 scholarship, two runner-up scholarships of $2,500 each will\nbe awarded.\n\nEntries must be submitted by January 31, 2027, to be considered. Winners will\nbe announced by March 1, 2027. Additional program information and entry\nrequirements are available on the portal, hosted through Eyes on Eyecare via a\ncollaborative partnership: http://nvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com/\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fnvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com%2F&index=1&md5=44fb55d812b1ba8379c995ceb21ecb84)\n.\n\nAbout National Vision Holdings, Inc.\n\nNational Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) is one of the largest optical\nretail companies in the United States with over 1,200 stores in 40 states and\nPuerto Rico. With a mission of helping people by making quality eye care and\neyewear more affordable and accessible, the company operates four retail\nbrands: America’s Best\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.americasbest.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=America%27s+Best&index=2&md5=4efd68e5735c342f2ae192ff57c4b6d2)\n, Eyeglass World\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eyeglassworld.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=Eyeglass+World&index=3&md5=2f525696b429d39e99a1f27a72a90b37)\n, and Vista Opticals inside select Fred Meyer stores\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findvistaoptical.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=select+Fred+Meyer+stores&index=4&md5=1cd8b22f33d826b0c6b55410129bc225)\nand on select military bases\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryoptical.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=select+military+bases&index=5&md5=b8385e9b038206a2e4e7e3039aca7475)\n, and an e-commerce website DiscountContacts.com\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discountcontacts.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=DiscountContacts.com&index=6&md5=ce28070a512de6e0249d8bf5f298a2d2)\n, offering a variety of products and services for customers’ eye care needs.\nFor more information, please visit www.nationalvision.com.\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalvision.com&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=www.nationalvision.com.&index=7&md5=cda421ed86d18239c99d54ef73f6afaa)\n\n\n\nView source version on businesswire.com:\nhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261012970637/en/\n(https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261012970637/en/)\n\nMedia contact:\nmedia@nationalvision.com (mailto:media@nationalvision.com) \nNational Vision Holdings, Inc.\n\n\nCopyright Business Wire 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nBw3HbpK5a-20261012","title":"National Vision Launches 2026-2027 Scholarship Program, Exploring the Balance Between Innovation and Human Connection","author":"Business Wire","ticker":"EYE","created":"2026-10-12T12:04:00.090Z","tickers":["EYE"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"National Vision Launches 2026-2027 Scholarship Program, Exploring the Balance\nBetween Innovation and Human Connection\n\nAnnual Program Marks Its 12th Year With $12,500 in Scholarships for Future\nOptometrists\n\nNational Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the largest optical\nretail companies in the United States, announced today that its annual\nscholarship program is open for entries, offering eligible optometry students\nthe opportunity to win up to $7,500.\n\nThis year’s scholarship program challenges students to explore the topic of,\n“Balancing Innovation and Human Connection.” Third- and fourth-year\noptometry students are invited to submit written or video essays examining how\noptometrists can embrace new technologies and tools while preserving the\ntrust, empathy and personal connections that are central to quality patient\ncare.\n\nAs innovations such as artificial intelligence, advanced diagnostics and\ndigital health solutions become further integrated into healthcare, students\nare encouraged to consider which aspects of the patient experience should\nalways remain human and how technology can enhance care without losing sight\nof the relationships at its core.\n\n“Innovation is creating exciting opportunities for the future of optometry,\nbut the connection between doctors and their patients will always be\nfundamental to quality care,” said Alexander Smith, O.D., Head of Doctor\nNetwork at National Vision. “We want to hear from the next generation of\noptometrists about how they envision using new tools to enhance the patient\nexperience while continuing to build the trust and personal relationships that\nmake a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”\n\nSubmissions for the 2026-2027 scholarship program are open via National\nVision’s scholarship program portal to students in good standing with an\noptometry school in the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada. In addition to the\nfirst-place $7,500 scholarship, two runner-up scholarships of $2,500 each will\nbe awarded.\n\nEntries must be submitted by January 31, 2027, to be considered. Winners will\nbe announced by March 1, 2027. Additional program information and entry\nrequirements are available on the portal, hosted through Eyes on Eyecare via a\ncollaborative partnership: http://nvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com/\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fnvscholarship.eyesoneyecare.com%2F&index=1&md5=44fb55d812b1ba8379c995ceb21ecb84)\n.\n\nAbout National Vision Holdings, Inc.\n\nNational Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) is one of the largest optical\nretail companies in the United States with over 1,200 stores in 40 states and\nPuerto Rico. With a mission of helping people by making quality eye care and\neyewear more affordable and accessible, the company operates four retail\nbrands: America’s Best\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.americasbest.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=America%27s+Best&index=2&md5=4efd68e5735c342f2ae192ff57c4b6d2)\n, Eyeglass World\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eyeglassworld.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=Eyeglass+World&index=3&md5=2f525696b429d39e99a1f27a72a90b37)\n, and Vista Opticals inside select Fred Meyer stores\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findvistaoptical.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=select+Fred+Meyer+stores&index=4&md5=1cd8b22f33d826b0c6b55410129bc225)\nand on select military bases\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryoptical.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=select+military+bases&index=5&md5=b8385e9b038206a2e4e7e3039aca7475)\n, and an e-commerce website DiscountContacts.com\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discountcontacts.com%2F&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=DiscountContacts.com&index=6&md5=ce28070a512de6e0249d8bf5f298a2d2)\n, offering a variety of products and services for customers’ eye care needs.\nFor more information, please visit www.nationalvision.com.\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalvision.com&esheet=54619282&newsitemid=20261012970637&lan=en-US&anchor=www.nationalvision.com.&index=7&md5=cda421ed86d18239c99d54ef73f6afaa)\n\n\n\nView source version on businesswire.com:\nhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261012970637/en/\n(https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261012970637/en/)\n\nMedia contact:\nmedia@nationalvision.com (mailto:media@nationalvision.com) \nNational Vision Holdings, Inc.\n\n\nCopyright Business Wire 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-12T12:04:00.132603057Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791806640132},"received_at":"2026-10-12T12:04:00.182Z","source_url":"https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261012970637/en/"},"analysis":{"id":"154704","press_release_id":"166344","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Specialty Retail","sector":"Consumer Discretionary"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"National Vision Holdings opened entries for its 12th annual scholarship program, awarding $12,500 total to future optometrists, with a top prize of $7,500.\n\nThird- and fourth-year optometry students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada can submit essays on balancing innovation with human connection in eye care; entries close January 31, 2027, with winners named by March 1, 2027.\n\nThe release is a community/brand initiative with no financial or operational impact on the company.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Routine scholarship/brand PR -- suppress from material news feeds."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"store_count":"over 1,200 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico","program_year":12,"submission_deadline":"January 31, 2027","winner_announcement":"March 1, 2027","runner_up_scholarship":"$2,500 each","scholarship_total_usd":12500,"first_place_scholarship":"$7,500"}},"quotedText":"Innovation is creating exciting opportunities for the future of optometry, but the connection between doctors and their patients will always be fundamental to quality care","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Alexander Smith, O.D.","role":"Head of Doctor Network at National Vision"}],"products":["America's Best","Eyeglass World","Vista Opticals","DiscountContacts.com"],"companies":[{"name":"National Vision Holdings, Inc.","ticker":"EYE","relationship":"filer/issuer"},{"name":"Eyes on Eyecare","relationship":"program portal partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$12,500","context":"total scholarship program funding"},{"amount":"$7,500","context":"first-place scholarship"},{"amount":"$2,500","context":"each runner-up scholarship"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Routine corporate-community relations announcement: the 12th annual optometry scholarship program totaling $12,500. 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