Alcon Showcases Cloud-Based Planning and Digital Technologies During AAO 2023

At the upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2023 annual meeting in San Francisco, Alcon will provide connected equipment ecosystems via its digital innovation technology. Ophthalmologists, surgical staff, researchers, and industry leaders will have the opportunity to experience Alcon’s latest digital offerings and participate in additional Alcon events during the conference. Alcon AAO event information and registration is available at MyAlconatAAO.com.

Alcon is announcing the full U.S. commercial availability of SMARTCataract, the first application in Alcon’s cloud-based platform specifically designed for surgical ophthalmic practices. [1-4] With SMARTCataract, ophthalmic practices have the opportunity for seamless connectivity by linking data systems and diagnostic devices, including the ARGOS Biometer with Image Guidance, with cataract surgical equipment, including LenSx Femtosecond Laser and LuxOR Revalia Ophthalmic Microscope.

SMARTCataract has demonstrated significant time savings delivered during the cataract evaluation, planning process, operating room (OR), and postoperative (post-op) workflow for cataract patients.[5] Time savings with SMARTCataract has ranged from 4.3 minuts versus traditional methods (for non-astigmatic non-post-refractive patients) and 13.8 minutes versus traditional methods (for post-refractive patients).[5] 

“With SMARTCataract, my staff and I are spending less time on manual data entry and surgical planning, ultimately helping us to operate with greater efficiency than ever before,” Eric Jennings, MD at Woolfson Eye Institute, said in a company news release. “I use the platform to seamlessly connect data across biometric instruments, cutting down the time needed to transfer information from one piece of equipment to the next. In doing so, it can remove the opportunity for transcription error and allows us to operate with greater confidence in our surgical outcomes for our patients.”

Alcon will further showcase its digital, customer-centric technology at AAO. Demos at booth #639 will highlight the connectivity of data systems, diagnostic devices, and surgical equipment that drive efficiencies. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Experience cloud-based planning for cataract surgery, including with 3D digital image guidance on the recently available NGENUITY 1.5
• Participate in insertion demos using Alcon implantables, including Hydrus Microstent and Alcon IOLs
• Interact in a virtual, high-fidelity operating room environment with Alcon Fidelis Virtual Reality (VR) Ophthalmic Surgical Simulator, Alcon’s virtual reality ophthalmic surgical simulator
• Experience Alcon Custom Pak Designer, an easy-to-use and efficient digital solution for ordering the market leader in ophthalmic procedure packs

“From our extensive portfolio of world-class IOLs to our cloud-connected offerings, we remain committed to advancing the field of ophthalmology,” Jim Di Filippo, Vice President and General Manager of US Surgical at Alcon, said in the news release. “Events like AAO are important opportunities for us to showcase our latest innovation, especially when it comes to our integrated ecosystem of connected equipment, which is underpinned by the goals of improving practice efficiency and patient outcomes.”

Data highlights the benefits of Alcon surgical ophthalmic products, including its industry-leading refractive and surgical glaucoma innovations. These key studies include:

• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Hydrus Microstent for patients with mild to moderate Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Canada, Presented by Isra Hussein, BSc (On Demand, e-Poster)[6]
• International Multicenter, Prospective, myopic Femtosecond-laser assisted myopic LASIK, customized by automated ray-tracing calculation of low and high order aberrations, Presented by John Kanellopoulous, MD (November 4, 3:00-3:30 p.m.)[7]
• Enhancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Ophthalmic Clinical Trials, Presented by Lydia Gateri, MS (On Demand, e-Poster)[8]
• Phacoemulsification at High IOP and Physiologic IOP: Impact on Anterior and Posterior Segment Physiology, Presented by Dr. Matthew Rauen (On Demand, e-Poster)[9]
• Comparison of Visual Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Topography-Guided LASIK with Novel GIS-Software Versus Wavefront Optimized LASIK. Poster Presentation, Presented by Elise Reid & Dr. Daniel Terveen (November 4, 11:06-11:12 a.m.)[10]
• Prediction of centration and tilt of IOL using pre-operative lens images obtained with anterior segment OCT, Presented by Dr. Naoyuki Maeda (On Demand, e-Poster)[11]

Alcon to host peer-to-peer events, highlighting best practice sharing. Notable events featuring several key industry leaders include:

• Steven M. Podos Colloquium, sponsored by the Alcon Research Institute, will discuss Disruptive Innovations in Cataract Surgery. Moderated by Mark Humayun, MD, and Terry Kim, MD. Friday, November 3 from 4:30-9:00 p.m. at the Palace Hotel, Gold Room
• Rivals of Retina: The Surgical Showdown, formerly known as the Retina Film Festival, will be moderated by Donald J. D’Amico, MD, Nina Berrocal, MD, Firas Rahhal, MD, and Christina Weng, MD. The event takes place on Saturday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Yerba Buena Arts & Events Center in the East Garden

Additional educational opportunities and experiences for surgeons will be available at the Alcon booth #639. For more information about the Alcon products and services on display at AAO, visit MyAlconatAAO.com.

References

1. Blaylock JF, Hall B. Astigmatic results of a diffractive trifocal toric IOL following intraoperative aberrometry guidance. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:4373-4378. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S285711.
2. Cionni RJ, Dimalanta R, Breen M, Hamilton C. A large retrospective database analysis comparing outcomes of intraoperative aberrometry with conventional preoperative planning. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018;44(10):1230-1235. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2018.07.016.
3. Van Vliet EJ, Bredenhoff E, Sermeus W, Kop LM, Sol JCA, Harten WH. Exploring the relation between process design and efficiency in high-volume cataract pathways from a lean thinking perspective. Int J Qual Health Care. 2011;23(1):83-93. doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzq071.
4. Håkansson I, Lundström M, Stenevi U, Ehinger B. Data reliability and structure in the Swedish National Cataract Register. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2001;79(5):518-523. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0420.2001.790519.
5. Zavodni Z, MD., Li-Chen P, MPH., Saylor M, BA., Cheng H, MSc. Enhancing Clinic and Operating Room Connectivity Via a Cloud-Based Application to Improve Practice Efficiency for Cataract Surgery. ASCRS, Washington D.C. April 22, 2022.
6. Hussein I, MD., Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Hydrus Microstent for patients with mild to moderate Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Canada. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.
7. Kanellopoulous J, MD., International Multicenter, Prospective, myopic Femtosecond-laser assisted myopic LASIK, customized by automated ray-tracing calculation of low and high order aberrations. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.
8. Gateri L, MS., Enhancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Ophthalmic Clinical Trials. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.
9. Rauen, M Phacoemulsification at High IOP and Physiologic IOP: Impact on Anterior and Posterior Segment Physiology. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.
10. Terveen D, MD., Comparison of Visual Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Topography-Guided LASIK with Novel GIS-Software Versus Wavefront Optimized LASIK. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.
11. Maeda N, MD., Prediction of centration and tilt of IOL using pre-operative lens images obtained with anterior segment OCT. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO) Annual Meeting; November 3-6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA.