ASCRS Annual Meeting Program Chair Thomas Samuelson, MD, is back for his third year in the role, and in this Q&A with EyeWorld, he shared what he is looking forward to at the Annual Meeting on April 10–13 in Washington, D.C.
ASCRS Subspecialty Day will take place on Friday, April 10, ahead of the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting, and promises exciting content across the fields of cornea, glaucoma, and refractive surgery.
In refractive surgery, achieving 20/20 vision has long been treated as the finish line. But experienced surgeons know that a perfect Snellen score doesn’t always translate into a satisfied patient. One surgeon thinks the true measure of success is something less quantifiable, but far more meaningful: a 20/happy outcome.
The University of Washington ophthalmology residents reviewed “Long term efficacy and safety of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens in the management of post keratoplasty astigmatism” from the December issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
When considering cataract surgery, one of the most basic steps is choosing the incision to be used. EyeWorld spoke to several experts about the impact of these incisions, sizing considerations, and important techniques and principles to ensure a successful surgery.
While not a common approach or its primary indication, the ICL (STAAR Surgical) can be used as a supplementary/piggyback IOL in some patients. Three physicians discussed how this off-label approach to using the ICL is opening doors to treat certain patients.
“To take something known and look at it from a new direction, to question our view of reality, to wonder, these are the strengths of children, but also of innovators,” said Julie Schallhorn, MD, introducing and commenting on the articles in the Cornea section of this issue.
Amniotic membrane products can be a valuable tool to aid in the treatment of a variety of corneal diseases and can be added to other treatments to help patients find relief. Two ophthalmologists discussed the different types of products available and best applications.
In his introduction to the Glaucoma section, Manjool Shah, MD, reflected on two evolutions explored in this issue: the expansion of surgical techniques and the critical recognition of the complete, human dimension of patient care.
Susanne Hewitt, MD, ASCRS Government Relations Committee Chair, summarized the key issues that the Government Relations staff and Committee have been working on in 2025 and the challenges that will continue to impact ophthalmology in 2026.