- ASCRS Main Stage on Friday kicks off Annual Meeting
- Steinert Lecture focuses on laser innovation for refractive surgery
- The inaugural Holland Lecture
- ASCRS Glaucoma Day examines landmark trials
- The past, present, and future of cataract refractive surgery
ASCRS Main Stage on Friday kicks off Annual Meeting
The ASCRS Annual Meeting officially kicked off on the ASCRS Main Stage on Friday afternoon. ASCRS Annual Meeting Program Chair Thomas Samuelson, MD, began the session by thanking everyone for attending this year’s Annual Meeting. The session also featured ASCRS Outgoing President Vance Thompson, MD, and ASCRS Incoming President Francis Mah, MD.
The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award was presented to Elena Barraquer, MD, during the session by ASCRS Foundation Chair Susan MacDonald, MD.
The session also featured this ASCRS Hall of Fame ceremony. This year’s inductee was Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, who has made extraordinary contributions to ASCRS and the field of ophthalmology, and who noted that he first attended the ASCRS Annual Meeting 47 years ago.
Steinert Lecture focuses on laser innovation for refractive surgery
Ronald Krueger, MD, delivered the Steinert Lecture during ASCRS Refractive Day on Friday, April 25, focusing on the history and innovation of the lasers for refractive surgery, his involvement with some of this innovation, and his mentors along the way.
George Waring IV, MD, introducing Dr. Krueger and the Steinert Lecture, said Dr. Krueger was involved with the early work developing and advancing the excimer laser, which made LASIK possible, and he helped popularize the idea of international fellowships.
“To know Ron is to love Ron. We’re so thankful to have had a lifetime of support, friendship, and mentorship by Ron,” he said.
Both Dr. Krueger and Dr. Steinert “shaped the way we think, challenged the way we think, and like many great leaders, they are gentle giants in our field who have never been afraid to ask why,” Dr. Waring said.
In his lecture, Dr. Krueger invited the audience to step into his time machine. Like the flux capacitator in the movie Back to the Future (the theme of the 2025 Refractive Day), Dr. Krueger took a look at the evolution of three lasers: excimer, femtosecond, and Ho:YAG.
The inaugural Holland Lecture
Afternoon sessions of ASCRS Cornea Day kicked off with the inaugural Holland Lecture, named for Edward Holland, MD, who also delivered this year’s lecture.
Marjan Farid, MD, introduced Dr. Holland ahead of his lecture. Going forward, the Holland Lecture will honor leaders and innovators in our field, Dr. Farid said, adding that there’s “no one more deserving to give the lecture” than Dr. Holland. “He’s an innovator and corneal surgeon who has done so much in advancing research and driving innovation in our field,” she said.
Dr. Farid said if there was one way to describe Dr. Holland, it would be “selfless service.” This is the principle that has guided his career and entire way of life, she said, adding that Dr. Holland has dedicated his career to his patients, the ophthalmology community, his peers, and his mentees. She also noted Dr. Holland’s dedication to addressing severe ocular surface disease.
During his lecture, Dr. Holland spoke about “Facing the Challenge of Managing Severe Ocular Surface Disease.”
ASCRS Glaucoma Day examines landmark trials
The ASCRS AGS Joint Symposium on Friday, April 25, during ASCRS Glaucoma Day featured presentations on the landmark trials that have taken place during the MIGS revolution.
The past, present, and future of cataract refractive surgery
Kendall Donaldson, MD, and Jennifer Loh, MD, led a session at ASCRS Refractive Day highlighting the past, present, and future of cataract refractive surgery.
Eric Donnenfeld, MD, first spoke about the history of refractive cataract surgery and shared what he considers to be four landmark moments in refractive cataract surgery.
Neda Shamie, MD, presented on “lens logic,” offering pearls for tailoring IOLs to patients. She said her presentation would “bring it down to the clinic and what it takes to bring technology to patients and convince them that what we recommend to them is the right choice for them.” With the pearls she shared, she said she has been able to increase conversion rates in her practice.
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