Meet Michele
Michele Lagana is a consultant senior clinical research optometrist who is the Principal Investigator and Clinical Lead for Clerio Vision’s contact lens studies, including the LIRIC multifocal soft lens project.
Michele has over 30 years of experience in the field of eye care. She has worked with various medical device companies in developing and testing innovative products for contact lenses, intraocular lenses, and LASIK surgery. She has also provided primary and secondary eye care services to patients in different settings, including the Veteran’s Administration, optometric and ophthalmological clinics, and laser centers. She is skilled in conducting clinical studies, managing ocular diseases, providing post-surgical care, and fitting contact lenses. Michele is based in Rochester, NY, and holds a Doctor of Optometry degree.
Earlier in her career, she served as the Technical Training Manager (Contact Lenses) and then as Consultant Research Optometrist at Bausch + Lomb from 1992 to 2020. She functioned as the primary investigator conducting Phase 1 to Phase 5 clinical studies, including study design, protocol writing, SOP development, statistical and data analysis for contact lenses, intraocular lenses as well as diagnostic equipment. She was involved in several groundbreaking projects and contributed to advancing eye care technologies. In addition, Michele has written a book chapter and was awarded a patent involving correction of wavefront aberrations with contact lenses leading to an R&D Chairman’s Award at Bausch +Lomb and has also exhibited numerous posters at scientific conferences.
As an advocate for Optometric advancement, Michele has supported her profession byserving in various local, regional, and state professional association positions, culminating her tenure as the NYSOA President from 2015 to 2016. Currently, Michele is a member of the State Board of Optometry and the College Council for the SUNY College of Optometry.