Refractive surgeon previews AI, digital surgery, and dry eye highlights of ESCRS 2026

Piotr A. Woźniak, MD, PhD, a refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist at Optegra Eye Health Care Clinic in Warsaw, Poland, previewed what he is most looking forward to at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), taking place 11 to 15 September 2026 at ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom.

For Woźniak, the most exciting aspect of this year's meeting is how quickly innovation is moving from technology into clinical practice. "For me, the most exciting aspect is how quickly innovations is moving from technology into clinical decision-making and AI," he said, pointing to digital surgery, new glaucoma treatments, and advanced diagnostics as prominent themes on this year's programme.

From what technology can do to how it helps patients

Woźniak said the field is shifting away from asking what a new technology can do, towards asking how it can improve patient selection, surgical outcomes, and everyday care. He also highlighted London's historical significance for cataract surgery, noting it as the city where the first intraocular lens implantation took place. "I think that the history is well connected with the future," he said.

Outside of dry eye disease, Woźniak said he is particularly interested in this year's digital surgery programme, especially how artificial intelligence may support surgical planning and refractive outcomes.

Dry eye's expanding footprint at the congress

Woźniak also previewed the congress's broader focus on ocular surface disease, noting that tear film stability affects both patient comfort and clinical measurements, and can influence surgical success. He said the programme reflects that broader view, with ocular surface disease woven into sessions on complex cataract surgery, as well as dedicated dry eye, imaging, and diagnostic content. "I'm really happy that the topic of dry eye is much, much wider than it was before," he said.