ASCRS News
Spring 2026
by Sumit “Sam” Garg, MD
Chief Medical Editor
Washington, D.C., here we come! The ASCRS Annual Meeting is fast approaching. We are preparing for a fantastic meeting once again. This is where surgeons learn surgery. For what we do, there is no better bang for your buck when it comes to high-quality education and camaraderie. There are too many great sessions and events to highlight —but I’ll try.
This year is the second SightLine at ASCRS. SightLine focuses on the business aspects of ophthalmology rather than surgical technique. It’s essentially the “business MBA day” of ASCRS—focused on reimbursement, policy, industry strategy, and the economic future of our field. SightLine is where we learn to survive and grow our practices.
Another highlight of the ASCRS Annual Meeting is Party for a Purpose. Make sure to show up on Friday evening for a night of fun and fundraising! This year, we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a “Party in the USA” to raise awareness and support for the ASCRS Foundation.
Also, don’t miss the named lectures on the Main Stage—Binkhorst, Kelman, and Lindstrom—with very deserving recipients, Kerry Solomon, MD, Sean Ianchulev, MD, and David F. Chang, MD, respectively.
Subspecialty Day is action-packed again with the best from our Cornea, Refractive Surgery, and Glaucoma Clinical Committees. Lastly, if you haven’t been to the ASCRS Film Festival, it is a must. There are so many great videos that will pique your interest, and you’ll surely be able to take home a pearl that you can implement right away.
In my experience, attending the ASCRS Annual Meeting is essential for maintaining clinical excellence and professional growth. The Annual Meeting offers value for the entire spectrum of surgeon skill and experience—from those just starting practice to the seasoned veteran. Our meeting provides firsthand exposure to the latest surgical techniques, technologies, and evidence-based research before they are widely adopted.
Beyond cutting-edge learning, the Annual Meeting fosters meaningful peer-to-peer exchange. Informal discussions often yield practical insights that cannot be gained from academic and trade journals alone. Networking strengthens referral relationships, encourages collaboration, and opens doors for leadership and mentorship opportunities. The Annual Meeting also reinforces professional identity, shared standards, philanthropy, and advocacy. Engaging in discussions about ethics, policy, reimbursement, and activism ensures we surgeons help shape the future of our specialty rather than react to it. Ultimately, attendance and participation demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning, collegiality, and achieving the highest level of patient care. The ASCRS staff and leadership are looking forward to seeing you in lovely Washington, D.C., in just a few short weeks.
In this issue of EyeWorld, we highlight how modern ophthalmology is rapidly evolving toward personalized, technology-guided care. Accurate diagnostics—topography, keratometry alignment, and careful exams—are critical for successful cataract and refractive outcomes. New therapeutic frontiers include biologic drugs targeting cellular pathways and suprachoroidal procedures offering alternative glaucoma treatment routes. Patient comfort and efficiency are also improving through oral sedation techniques. Ophthalmology training must therefore emphasize strong fundamentals while incorporating emerging devices and surgical methods. Overall, the field is shifting from standardized surgery to individualized treatment, where imaging, biomolecular therapies, and adjustable technologies work together to maximize vision quality, safety, and patient satisfaction.
I would like to congratulate Francis Mah, MD, on a productive year as ASCRS President. The year was not without its challenges for us as an organization, but Francis’ steady and calm leadership proved to be key to leading us to reclaim a strong foundation and improved transparency across many facets of our organization. At the Annual Meeting, we will welcome Kevin M. Miller, MD, as our new ASCRS President. Dr. Miller is chief of the cataract service at UCLA and a prolific researcher, educator, and innovator, advancing modern anterior segment and refractive surgery worldwide.
Lastly, my term as Chief Medical Editor of EyeWorld is up. I would like to thank the dedicated staff of EyeWorld and ASCRS for all their support during my term. This publication and organization would not be possible without their hard work and commitment. I welcome Mitchell Weikert, MD, as the next Chief Medical Editor of EyeWorld. Mitch is a dear friend and well-respected anterior segment surgeon. I know his insights and leadership will be great for this publication and our organization.
As always, if you have any suggestions for topics, improvements, etc., please feel free to reach out to me at gargs@uci.edu. I look forward to seeing you all at our Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
