Ophthalmology is a field that relies on ever-evolving safety, accuracy and efficiencies. In fact, eye surgery is thought to be one of the oldest surgical inventions in recorded human history, with the removal of cataracts dating back to 5th century B.C.1 Today, thanks to advancements in surgical instrumentation, services and digital solutions, the field of ophthalmology has taken a leap forward, revolutionizing the ophthalmic surgical process through cutting-edge, cloud-connected equipment ecosystems.
Alcon’s Seba Leoni, Global Head & General Manager of Alcon Vision Suite, shares his perspective on ophthalmology’s exciting future and recent research proving the value that comprehensive, connected ecosystems can have on practice efficiency.
Where do you see the field of ophthalmology headed in the next few years?
The need for surgical eye care is continuing to grow as the global population ages, with patients expecting the best surgical outcomes possible following common procedures like cataract surgery.2 In order for surgeons around the world to be able to deliver on these demands, it is critical for them to have an armamentarium of technologies that help them measure, plan and deliver the procedure in the most accurate and efficient way possible. To this end, having access to “best in class” devices in the clinic and OR that are digitally connected is at the core of fulfilling this need. At Alcon, we have solutions at the forefront of the market designed around the principles of accuracy, consistency and efficiency: these include medical devices, services and digital solutions, including sophisticated imaging, predictive algorithms and connected technologies. For the ophthalmic industry at-large, we can’t be caught on our back foot when it comes to investing in future innovation.
We are already facing a surgical backlog and global surgeon shortage.3 All the while, an aging population means the incidence of eye conditions, such as cataracts, are set to increase, driving an even greater need for efficiencies. That’s why we’re focused on creating an ecosystem of products, digital solutions and services that can power practices and help them begin addressing the surgical backlog and rising patient expectations. This includes creating a platform that connects EHRs with patient data to future equipment — from the clinic to the OR and post-operatively.
How is Alcon’s equipment ecosystem a unique offering for ophthalmology?
Historically, Alcon has had a strong footprint in the operating room with surgical equipment – from lasers to phacoemulsification machines (for cataract surgery) to microscopes. Alcon's ORA SYSTEM® provides surgeons with on-demand measurements of the patient’s eye during cataract surgery based on a database of more than two million cases.4
With the introduction of our ARGOS® Biometer with Image Guidance, an ophthalmic instrument to measure the power of the ocular structure which contributes to a refractive outcome, we’ve been able to gain a strong presence in the clinic as well. ARGOS® features Alcon’s image-guided technology for efficient integration with equipment in the OR – providing surgeons a connected workflow experience.
Beyond equipment, Alcon provides our customers with best-in-class services and support. With the promise of the Alcon Vision Suite (AVS), customers can gain access to a world-class services team that is dedicated to helping their practice – from setting up the equipment, to providing surgeon and staff training and ongoing support.
Lastly, Alcon’s surgical portfolio of equipment, customer support services and digital solutions, provide end-to-end partnership to drive value for our customers.
How else is Alcon driving a more efficient workflow?
Connectivity of equipment is paramount, first and foremost, to drive efficiency. SMARTCataract is the first application in Alcon’s comprehensive cloud-based platform uniquely designed for surgical ophthalmic practices, and it has been released to select customers in the U.S.
The practice of Dr. Zachary Zavodni, Medical Director of the Eye Institute of Utah and SMARTCataract user, evaluated the time taken and number of manual data entry transcription points for the devices in the ophthalmic clinic, OR, online IOL power calculations as well as the integration of Alcon’s ORA®. The analysis showed that SMARTCataract can result in time savings and efficiencies.
And how do these benefits – time savings, connectivity, interoperability – ultimately lead to better outcomes and satisfaction for surgeons and their patients?
When surgeons and administrative staff can dramatically streamline workflows, it increases individual and team productivity, as well as overall practice efficiency. That time and energy can be reinvested into the practice and allows for more time to be spent with patients.
What advice would you give to other surgical practices looking to build a world-class ecosystem?
We continue to see that a number of ophthalmology clinics and ORs still run on disconnected tech that doesn't work together. This ultimately slows surgeons down by requiring manual data inputs, and leaves room for transcription errors that can affect patient outcomes.
Surgeons can be hesitant to implement new tools and technology for a multitude of reasons, such as staff turnover or implementation and training fears, but the benefits of a cohesive ecosystem of equipment have a greater opportunity to positively impact a surgeon and their practice. My advice, take the leap and invest in the future of your business.
1 “History of Cataract Surgery,” Jonathan (Eugene) Rho, Kourtney Houser, MD. Published: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Jan 24, 2022.
2 “Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990-2020- a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Seth Flaxman. Published: Lancet Global Health. Oct 11, 2017.
3 “The ophthalmic surgical backlog associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based and microsimulation modelling study,” Tina Felfeli, MD. Published: National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central. Nov 23, 2021
4 “ORA Procedures Report,” Aaron McLendon. Feb 11, 2021.
5 “Enhancing Clinic and Operating Room Connectivity Via a Cloud-Based Application to Improve Practice Efficiency for Cataract Surgery.” Zach Zavodni, MD. April 22, 2022
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