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Topcon Healthcare appoints Daniela Ferrara, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer to enhance AI-driven ocular imaging and advance digital healthcare solutions.

Topcon Healthcare selects Daniela Ferrara, MD, as new CMO

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Lisa Nijm, MD, says preoperative osmolarity testing can help clinicians manage patient expectations and improve surgical results.

ASCRS 2025: New research findings highlight the surprising impact of hyperosmolarity

Responder analysis was conducted to evaluate the percentage of patients achieving complete symptom resolution across 13 pre-specified symptom endpoints.

Palatin releases updated results from responder analyses of phase 3 Melody-1 trial in dry eye

Brazilian researchers reveal how choroidal thickness influences treatment response in diabetic macular edema, enhancing personalized therapy strategies.

Study identifies key biomarkers for aflibercept response in diabetic macular edema

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The EnVision Summit, co-founded by Bonnie An Henderson, MD, is a unique family-friendly, multispecialty CME ophthalmology conference, along with a newly introduced optometry track. Henderson sits down with 

' Sheryl Stevenson, group editorial director - eye care, to talk about the 2025 conference that will take place February 14 to 17 at the Caribe Hilton San Juan, in Puerto Rico.

Henderson describes the meeting as “a place where not only are physicians and optometrists learning, but their families are part of the experience too,” emphasizing the opportunity for personal and professional growth in a supportive, community-oriented environment.

The 2025 agenda will include symposia, surgical videos, panel discussions, and leadership seminars that highlight rapid advancements across ophthalmology specialties, including cataract, refractive, retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, and oculoplastics. “It’s incredible how quickly things change in ophthalmology—if you miss a year or two, you’ll be amazed by the innovations that have emerged,” Henderson shared. Updates on new intraocular lenses, surgical tools, and diagnostic techniques will showcase the field’s forward momentum. Additionally, a leadership seminar led by Malvina Eydelman, MD, Director of the Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, and Dental Devices at FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, will feature discussions on career pathways and diversity, empowering attendees with insights from industry leaders.

The optometry track, introduced last year, continues to expand, emphasizing collaboration between ophthalmologists and optometrists in critical areas like preoperative and postoperative care, medications, and diagnostic tools. As Henderson explained, “It's important for both fields to come together and discuss how we can work together to improve patient care.” This cross-disciplinary dialogue reflects the summit's dedication to advancing care through shared expertise.

The youth program offers age-appropriate activities that allow children to engage in fun learning while also witnessing their parents' professional contributions. "It’s amazing to watch these kids grow up at EnVision Summit and form lasting friendships,” said Henderson. The trainee program, which offers free registration for residents, fellows, and medical students, has also seen growth. Henderson highlighted the program’s value, noting that it “gives young professionals the chance to network with leaders in the field and gain invaluable mentorship.”



To learn more about or to register for EnVision Summit 2025,

EnVision Summit

The EnVision Summit, co-founded by Bonnie An Henderson, MD, is a unique family-oriented, multispecialty ophthalmology CME conference, along with a newly introduced optometry track. Henderson sits down with Ophthalmology Times to talk about the 2025 conference that will take place February 14 to 17 at the Caribe Hilton San Juan, in Puerto Rico.

Connect, learn, and innovate in a family-friendly atmosphere:  What to expect at EnVision Summit 2025

Uday Devgan, MD, FACS, of Devgan Eye Surgery in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA, answers a few key questions his patients have asked when considering cataract surgery.

What patients need to know about cataract surgery

George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS, discusses the “vision for a lifetime” approach and how modern advancements allow tailored treatments for every stage of eye maturity.

Q&A: Continuum of care, the evolution of cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery

The acquisition also includes the ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser Treatment System, LENSAR’s proprietary Streamline software technology and LENSAR legacy laser system. 

Alcon agrees to purchase LENSAR

Maria Vittoria Cicinelli, MD, Denise Loya-Garcia, MD, PhD, and Vishal Raval, MD, were announced as the recipients and will receive a $3,000 honorarium. 

ARVO announces recipients of the 2025 ARVO Foundation Early Career Clinician-Scientist Awards

The device offers a shortened procedure time and efficient, effective SMILE for patients with myopia, with or without astigmatism.

 China issues approval for Zeiss Visumax 800 with SMILE pro software

With this addition, Zeiss completes the Corneal Refractive Workflow, which already includes Visumax 800 and SMILE pro.

FDA approves Zeiss MEL 90 excimer laser

Lisa Nijm, MD, says preoperative osmolarity testing can manage patient expectations and improve surgical results.

Lisa Nijm, MD, joined the Eye Care Network at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annual meeting for an on-camera conversation. Dr. Nijm is the CEO of Warrenville EyeCare and LASIK in Warrenville, Illinois, and an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Nijm discussed her ASCRS presentation, focused on a study of hyperosmolarity's impact on cataract surgery outcomes. "Hyperosmolarity induces light scatter that's equivalent to a grade 2 to 3 cataract," Dr. Nijm said. "What that did show in the study is patients could [undergo] a perfect cataract surgery, pick the right lens...and still, patients would be dissatisfied with their vision afterwards, because they're experiencing this light scatter every time they're blinking. That distorts the image and decreases the quality of their vision"

Hyperosmolar patients were seven times more likely to be dissatisfied post-surgery, Dr. Nijm said, indicating that preoperative osmolarity testing is vital to a successful outcome. Preoperative testing could help clinicians manage patient expectations and improve surgical results, she said. The study results emphasized that it's crucial for surgeons to understand and, where possible, manage osmolarity to enhance refractive outcomes and patient satisfaction in cataract surgery.

ASCRS 2025: Steven J. Dell, MD, reports 24-month outcomes for shape-changing IOL

Steven J. Dell, MD, of Dell Laser Consultants, Austin, Texas, presented the 24-month refractive stability and visual acuity data for the OmniVu accommodating IOL (Atia Vision) at the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting, held April 25 to 28, in Los Angeles, California. Reporting on 19 patients (29 eyes), Dell noted, “It was frankly some of the best data that I've ever seen on refractive predictability for any IOL of any type.”

The lens demonstrated excellent refractive stability over 24 months, with strong alignment between early postoperative, 1-year, and 2-year data. Patients achieved excellent uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near vision. Critically, for binocular vision at intermediate distance through the distance correction, mean acuity was 20/20, and for near, 20/25. “Very, very good data and very functional vision throughout the visual spectrum,” Dell emphasized.

The lens' unique dual-optic design — with a fluid-filled posterior optic responsive to ciliary muscle contraction and a fixed anterior optic — aims to deliver stable, predictable refractive outcomes. Its bag-filling approach helps maintain capsular clarity and mimics the size of the natural crystalline lens. “The quality of vision with this design is comparable to any monofocal IOL,” Dell said, highlighting minimal dysphotopsia and a continuous range of clear vision, long sought after in accommodating lens technology.

He was also pleased to report that “contrast sensitivity data was really comparable to what we see with monofocal IOLs,” and that both astigmatism and spherical equivalent remained stable across the 24-month follow-up.

“There are a number of accommodating IOL designs out there,” Dell concluded, “but I think it's fair to say that the Atia Vision OmniVu lens is the one that is furthest into the process.”

Data show excellent refractive stability, strong visual acuity across all distances, and contrast sensitivity comparable to monofocal IOLs.

Alex Hacopian, MD, discusses a presbyopia-correcting IOL at the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annual meeting

Alex Hacopian, MD, discusses a presbyopia-correcting IOL at the 2025 ASCRS annual meeting

The Eye Care Network reported to Los Angeles, California for the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annual meeting. While in LA, editors from 

met with panelists, presenters and leaders from industry and the clinical research space to hear more about the programming at this year's event.

Alex Hacopian, MD, presented a paper on bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Odyssey IOL (Johnson & Johnson Vision). A total of 80 eyes of 40 subjects at one site were targeted, and subjects were assessed at least 3 months postoperatively at a single visit. In this video, Dr. Hacopian discusses patient selection and counseling for real-world cohorts of patients with presbyopia. 

Alex Hacopian, MD, speaks about patient-reported outcomes from a presbyopia-correcting IOL at the 2025 ASCRS annual meeting.

ASCRS 2025: Near vision victories and distance vision surprises with a presbyopia-correcting IOL

ASCRS 2025: Parag Majmudar, MD, on bridging the gap between residency and real-world practice

Parag A. Majmudar, MD, shared some of the key takeaways for a skills transfer lab he led at the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting, April 25 to 28, in Los Angeles, California. Majmudar focused on bridging the gap between residency training and real-world refractive surgery practice. Reflecting on the evolution of the field, he noted, “Refractive surgery has grown so much over the last 30 years that I've been in practice, and it's always great to see young surgeons embrace some of these newer technologies.”

Majmudar emphasized that refractive surgery exposure remains limited during residency. “There's a disconnect between kind of what goes on in a real-world private practice environment versus what they learn in a residency program,” he said. Skills transfer labs like these give young surgeons a rare chance to gain hands-on experience directly from seasoned practitioners. “The most important thing is... not so much the nuts and bolts of how to do something, but also kind of what are the nuances they can kind of take away to make the whole process a little bit more efficient and overall more patient friendly.”

Acknowledging advancements in surgical education, he observed, “When I trained, we didn't have simulators... things have changed a lot.” However, Majmudar stressed that watching videos alone isn’t enough—surgeons must physically practice maneuvers to truly develop their skills.

Encouraging perseverance, he reminded participants, “Very few people are born natural surgeons. It's okay to feel doubtful, but the main thing is to never give up.” He also reassured trainees frustrated by artificial practice models: “In the real world, the real eye behaves a lot different... Find cases that are a little bit easier, kind of low hanging fruit... build your confidence that way.”

Majmudar encourages young surgeons to seek hands-on experience early and often, stressing the importance of real-world practice beyond the classroom.

ASCRS 2025: Eva Kim, MD, says patient comfort is paramount when using implantable collamer lenses

This year, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) holds its annual meeting in Los Angeles, California. On the first day of the meeting, the Eye Care Network spoke with Eva Kim, MD, an ophthalmologist and refractive specialist from Denver, Colorado. She spoke about the EVO implantable collamer lens (ICL), a reversible intervention for patients with high myopia. According to Dr. Kim, these ICLs have a number of qualities which make them appealing to younger patients with high myopia, including removability and a less-invasive implantation procedure. There's also no need for a preoperative laser peripheral iridotomy—a factor which wins over many patients, she said.

For patients with high myopia, an implantable ICL offers certain advantages over LASIK or other traditional refractive surgeries, Dr. Kim said.

Inside ASCRS 2025: Francis S. Mah, MD, takes the helm with a vision for research, education, and advocacy

Francis S. Mah, MD, incoming president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), sat down with the Eye Care Network to share his goals and perspectives ahead of the 2025 ASCRS Annual Meeting, taking place April 25–28 in Los Angeles, California. The role is a 1-year term, and Mah sees it as an opportunity to build on the momentum of past leadership.

“It’s obviously a huge honor,” Mah said, noting the legacy of strong leadership within ASCRS. Following Vance Thompson, MD’s term—which spotlighted the business and practical aspects of ophthalmic care—Mah plans to shift focus slightly. “I’d like to focus again on some of the aspects that really got me interested and excited to participate... such as education, research, the [ASCRS] Foundation, as well as Government Relations.”

Mah emphasized the importance of strengthening ASCRS’ role in an uncertain health care landscape, particularly with evolving FDA policies and the impact on research and industry partnerships. “We need to really try to strengthen those areas that might get impacted,” he said, adding that support for members engaged in research and innovation will be essential.

This year’s conference introduces SightLine, a new meeting held on the day before the Annual Meeting and designed to replace Eyecelerator

and refocus on practical challenges in anterior segment surgery. “SightLine really... focuses more on the practice of medicine,” Mah explained, aligning with ASCRS’ mission to deliver timely, practice-enhancing content.

Subspecialty days on Friday will include the Roger Steinert and new Ed Holland named lectures, along with a fresh session on the business of interventional glaucoma surgery. A keynote appearance on Sunday by Dr. Glaucomflecken is also expected to draw wide interest.

“It’s a phenomenal meeting,” Mah said, encouraging colleagues to attend and engage deeply. “Try to absorb as much and really enjoy what ASCRS can provide for you in your everyday practice.”

Mah previews a packed 2025 Annual Meeting, from the debut of SightLine to Dr. Glaucomflecken’s return to the main stage, and outlines his priorities for the year ahead as incoming ASCRS president.

Business

Health Law & Policy

Setting the stage in LA: Neda Shamie, MD, on the 19th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care

To learn more about or to register for the 19th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care meeting, click 

Neda Shamie, MD, sat down with the Eye Care Network to highlight the key themes of the upcoming 19th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care meeting, which she co-chairs alongside Robert Maloney, MD, and Arjan Hura, MD, of the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute. Taking place on May 4 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, this event brings together a faculty of ophthalmologists and optometrists for an exchange on the latest innovations and debates in eye care.

Founded by Maloney, the meeting emphasizes collaborative care, ensuring that discussions reflect diverse perspectives on patient management. This year’s program covers refractive surgery, glaucoma, retina, oculoplastics, and IOL technology, featuring expert panels and interactive case discussions.

Key highlights include Maloney’s keynote on the evolution of intraocular lenses, based on his sabbatical research in England; Wendy Lee, MD and Selena McGee, OD, discussing the latest in oculoplastics; Paul Singh, MD, and Melissa Tawa, OD, leading glaucoma-focused sessions; and Shamie and Hura presenting advancements in refractive surgery.

The meeting will also feature sponsored product theaters and networking breaks. With an emphasis on cutting-edge technology and controversial innovations, the event encourages open debate on whether emerging treatments truly advance patient care. Adding a fun element, Shamie teased the 

 theme of the event, inviting attendees to participate in the spirit of the day.

The May 4 event, themed around Star Wars, will feature the latest innovations, foster open discussions, and provide a collaborative environment for networking and learning, with sessions covering IOLs, oculoplastics, glaucoma, retina therapy, and refractive surgical options.

The synergy of cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery through the decades: insights from George O. Waring IV, MD

 50th Anniversary, George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS, medical director of the Waring Vision Institute in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, highlights 5 decades of advancements in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery, emphasizing the evolving concept of “vision for a lifetime.” This approach ensures that vision correction procedures are available for every stage of ocular maturity, integrating corneal and lens-based refractive strategies.

Technological progress has significantly improved diagnostics, with high-resolution imaging, posterior corneal measurements, wavefront sensors, and visual simulators enhancing precision in refractive decision-making. Software now synthesizes diagnostic data, optimizing safety and outcomes.

In corneal and refractive surgery, high-speed lasers with advanced trackers enable rapid, precise treatments, enhancing visual quality and nighttime vision. FDA-approved corneal cross-linking has revolutionized keratoconus management, reducing the need for penetrating keratoplasties. Combining cross-linking with corneal reshaping techniques has further improved outcomes.

Lens-based refractive surgery has also seen substantial innovation. The EVO phakic IOL eliminates the need for laser peripheral iridotomies and offers toric correction, making it a viable alternative to LASIK for a broader patient population. For presbyopia, the concept of dysfunctional lens syndrome has led to a shift toward custom lens replacement, addressing both distance and near vision by targeting the root cause.

Refractive cataract surgery has been transformed by advanced IOL technology, including extended and full-range vision lenses, modular and exchangeable IOLs, and upcoming accommodative IOLs. Laser-assisted cataract surgery has also improved precision, safety, and astigmatism correction.

Looking ahead, emerging technologies such as transepithelial treatments, ray tracing, and hybrid laser techniques promise to refine refractive surgery further. The future also holds potential for presbyopia-correcting phakic IOLs and early intervention with lens-based solutions, ensuring continued advancements in achieving optimal lifelong vision.

Vision correction has evolved into a continuum of procedures suited for different stages of ocular maturity

Envision Summit: Getting Started with ICL Surgery in Your Practice

At the Envision Summit 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Arjan Hura, MD, talked about EVO ICL surgery, its benefits, and how every ophthalmologist has the ability and training to conduct the surgery even if they aren't aware. 

Editor's note: The below transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Good morning everyone. My name is Arjun Hura. I'm a refractive cataract and anterior segment surgeon at the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute in Los Angeles, California. I'm here in sunny Puerto Rico, I just finished giving my talk at my first-ever in Envision 2025 meeting. I was so happy to be here, and it was great to be in a room full of cataract and refractive surgeons. Very interesting to see the mix between academics and private practice, those doing laser vision correction, those doing RLE refractive cataract surgery.

My talk this morning focused on the value proposition of EVO ICL technology. We looked at what are the sort of patients coming in for vision correction, what are their age groups, what are the demographics. And whether you're in private practice or academics, what is the capital cost of potentially acquiring a femtosecond or excimer laser in order to do something like PRK, LASIK or SMILE, relative to the lower, maybe, startup cost of doing EVO ICL surgery?

Every cataract surgeon is trained in ophthalmology residency on how to do cataract surgery. So if you know how to make a paracentesis, a main incision, put an OVD into the eye, take out the OVD, load an IOL and insert an IOL into the eye–for cataract surgery, you have the ability to perform EVO ICL surgery. It's a life-changing surgery that can correct anywhere from -3 to -16 diopters of myopia. It can correct up to 4 diopters of astigmatism. And it's a reversible procedure that can be performed in the same day, bilateral surgery-type manner, to give LASIK-like outcomes with near LASIK-like recovery. Once that dilation wears off, those patients are really seeing great.

So the point of my talk was to show everyone you have the skill set to do refractive surgery if you didn't learn how to do LASIK or PRK or SMILE in residency or fellowship. If you don't have access to lasers to do those surgeries, it doesn't matter, because there's an alternative form of refractive surgery called EVO ICL surgery that can give those same outcomes and give patients visual freedom.

Yeah, well, I would say when it comes to ICL surgery, one of the biggest changes that recently took place was EVO ICL. And so compared to the previous generation of ICL technology, the EVO ICL has a central port and then 2 peripheral ports on each side as well, so a total of 5 ports. And it may sound like a small change from the previous iteration, but this was a very big deal, because 2 of the big things we used to worry about with the old version of ICL technology was one, potential early ASC cataract formation, and two, long-term IOP issues, or glaucoma. Because of that central port, sizing has become much more forgiving. The incidence internationally and even in our FDA clinical trial here in the United States, of early cataract formation, long-term pressure issues was very, very low. And so the EVO ICL surgery has become the safest version of it in its near 3 decade, 3 decade-plus journey. And so it's easier now for people or surgeons who are maybe a little hesitant about adopting it because of some of the risks associated with it in the past, to take it on now and really give patients excellent, uncorrected vision.

Envision Summit 2025: Incorporating EVO ICL into your practice

EnVision Summit 2025: Sonia H. Yoo, MD, shares what to expect from the cataract and refractive agenda

To learn more about or to register for EnVision Summit 2025, 

Sonia H. Yoo, MD, a professor of ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, shares her enthusiasm for the upcoming EnVision Summit, emphasizing its unique focus on fostering leadership among women in ophthalmology.

As a member of the cataract and refractive session planning committee, Yoo is excited about the latest advancements that will be showcased, including new lens implant technologies, multifocal, pinhole, and accommodative lenses, as well as advancements in imaging that enhance surgical outcomes. “Whereas in the past, we thought about cataract surgery as, you know, your grandmother’s surgery....now cataract surgery is really a refractive procedure,” she says, emphasizing the role of these technologies in reducing patients' dependence on glasses and improving satisfaction.

Yoo highlights the summit’s inclusive and family friendly atmosphere, noting that the ophthalmology program-planning committee consists entirely of women while the speaker lineup features both men and women. She describes the event as “really special and unique” for its ability to combine professional development with a welcoming environment.

Yoo also emphasized the importance of the EnVision Summit for residents and fellows, calling it a “great forum” for trainees to share knowledge, present research, and connect with mentors. The summit’s supportive environment fosters mentorship and networking, which are critical for young ophthalmologists as they embark on their careers, she adds.

Sonia H. Yoo, MD, a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery specialist and a member of the planning committee for the EnVision Summit, highlights a session focused on the latest advancements in lens implant technologies, refractive procedures, and imaging innovations. The summit will be held from February 14 to 17, 2025, at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico.

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