The annual X-Rounds: Refractive Cataract Surgery to the Max brought together a group of surgeons who, in 2 minutes or less, presented on the new things they’re doing or that are of interest to them this year. The audience voted for the winner in each category of this Saturday afternoon session.
“This is one of my favorite events at ASCRS,” moderator Eric Donnenfeld, MD, said. “We have a great time. We learn something.”
Source: ASCRS
Here’s a recap of the winning presentations:
What I’m doing differently this year
John Hovanesian, MD, won for his talk on taking time for selfcare in the OR. He described ophthalmologists as being surgical athletes who face a high burnout rate, pain, and musculoskeletal issues. He personally begins each day by practicing gratitude. He said he makes sure to have a laugh in every case, which reduces stress for staff and the patient. Posture is also vital for us, he continued, which is why he tilts his microscope toward himself as much as possible, so he doesn’t need to lean as far forward. Finally, he does standing cat-cow stretches and stretches against a straight wall to help reset his back.
New technology on the horizon
Kerry Solomon, MD, won this round for his presentation on oculomics, the ability of AI to, with fundus photos, provide a systemic health report. He explained how current technology can establish a patient’s vascular biological age and chronological age, the latter of which, if higher than biological, could put them at risk for a vascular event. This technology is not covered by insurance, Dr. Solomon said, but he has found his patients eager to adopt it. Patients receive the whole report, and it is sent to their primary care physician.
My best pearl for astigmatism management
Preeya Gupta, MD, shared her current best pearl for astigmatism management, which is to use a tool like Helio.AI. She provided a case example of a post-hyperopic LASIK patient with astigmatism, a highly prolate cornea, and high corneal HOAs. She input the patient’s metrics into the AI system and asked it for lens recommendations. Not only did the output give a summary of recommendations, but Dr. Gupta said it provided a lot of educational information. She ended up choosing an IC-8 Apthera (Bausch + Lomb) for this patient.
What I’m excited about in presbyopic IOLs
William Wiley, MD, was voted the winner in this category for his presentation about Atia Vision’s accommodating IOL, which is in development. This IOL includes a fluid-filled base with a front optic that provides power. He said the results have been amazing. One hundred percent of patients achieved 20/20 distance at 36 months, 100% were 20/20 at intermediate, and 86% and 100% were 20/25 and 20/30, respectively, at near. Dr. Wiley said this lens is very stable with monofocal-like quality of vision and up to 5 D of accommodation.
Editors’ note: Dr. Gupta has financial disclosures with Bausch + Lomb. The other physicians have no relevant financial disclosures.
