SightLine tackles regulatory, reimbursement topics

SightLine at ASCRS—a business forum focused on the financial and business aspects of ophthalmology—returns ahead of the ASCRS Annual Meeting, taking place Thursday, April 9, in Washington, D.C. Inspired by its location in the U.S. capital—the seat of the federal government, which has a significant regulatory and financial impact on the medical field—the theme for this year’s one-day program focuses on how government action directly affects the business future of ophthalmology. 

Federal decision-making drives everything from care-delivery innovation to reimbursement policy and competitive regulation. SightLine sessions will address the current and future landscape of the specialty’s interactions with CMS, FDA, FTC, and Congress—and how these forces influence financial sustainability, competitive dynamics, and innovation. 

“The business of healthcare is evolving rapidly, and ophthalmology is significantly impacted, especially by the decisions made by the FDA and CMS. Focusing on the intersection of ophthalmology and the government at SightLine at ASCRS 2026 could not be more relevant this year as practices face an 11% reimbursement cut to cataract surgery, the most prevalent surgical procedure taking place not only within ophthalmology but in the whole of medicine,” said Mark Cribben, ASCRS Director of Government Relations. “To remain financially viable and provide the best patient care requires the best minds to strategize and ideate solutions that take ophthalmology forward amid challenging financial times. That’s SightLine at ASCRS.

“Our hope is that attendees leave this event better informed on how ophthalmology works with government or, in some instances, reacts to changes in the way government impacts our specialty,” Mr. Cribben added.

Another new feature of SightLine 2026 is the Winning Practice Challenge, which will look at several ophthalmic practices that are healthy and thriving in today’s environment. Practices will be evaluated for clinical excellence and intelligent use of technology, patient experience and culture of care, operational excellence and practice health, team engagement and development, and strategic growth and community impact. Attendees will learn something new that will benefit their practice and can consider recommending successful practices for submission to the Winning Practice Challenge in 2027.

“SightLine at ASCRS 2026 promises to deliver broad insight into how commercial ophthalmology and government work together and, at times, in opposition,” said Steve Speares, ASCRS Executive Director. “The program is intended to be candid, curious, and courageous—there are no sacred cows in these discussions. It is also an opportunity for our stakeholders—surgeons, administrators, and industry partners —to better inform themselves on key issues affecting the business of ophthalmology.”  

SightLine at ASCRS was launched in 2025 as an initiative of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA). The meeting is designed to facilitate discussion and debate about the state of commercial ophthalmology, the direction the market is headed, and explore disruptive approaches to financial viability.