Refractive surgery in 2026 moves toward individualized precision

Refractive precision moved to the center of ophthalmic practice across the first 7 months of 2026, spanning premium intraocular lens (IOL) outcomes, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and pediatric myopia tracking. Coverage from meetings including the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and Envision Summit 2026 highlighted new data on light adjustable lens (LAL) outcomes, capsulotomy-driven effective lens position (ELP) shifts, and AI-assisted refractive screening. Together, the findings point toward a field increasingly focused on individualized, technology-supported refractive outcomes rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.