Alcon to Highlight New Data at ASCRS Demonstrating Innovations Designed to Optimize Patient Outcomes

Alcon will showcase approximately 100 company-supported and investigator-led data presentations demonstrating its latest innovative efforts aimed at optimizing patient outcomes at the 2024 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting, April 5-8, in Boston. In addition, the company will host multiple peer-to-peer symposia and in-booth demonstrations of its industry-leading implantables and devices, including the Clareon IOL portfolio, cloud-based SMARTCataract surgical planner, Hydrus Microstent and more. 

“All research and advancements we are bringing to ASCRS share one underlining theme: Alcon's eye care innovations empower surgeons to achieve optimal outcomes for their patients,” Sergio Duplan, President of North America at Alcon, said in a company news release. “Not only are we excited to display the unmatched breadth of our eye care innovation portfolio, but perhaps most importantly, to demonstrate the real-life impact these innovations have on the lives of eye care patients around the world.”

Studies that spotlight optimized patient outcomes include: 

• New evidence supports that PanOptix provides a similar range of vision compared to TECNIS Synergy†from distance to near (33 cm) under bright (photopic) and dim (mesopic) conditions with a better visual disturbances profile and high rates of patient satisfaction.[1,2] In a prospective, randomized, subject and examiner masked, multicenter study, a group of five surgeons led by Satish Modi, MD, compared the range of vision and patient-reported outcomes in patients bilaterally implanted with the trifocal AcrySof PanOptix IOL and the extended depth of focus/multifocal TECNIS Synergy IOL. Dr. Modi will share his findings in a two-part presentation beginning on Saturday, April 6 at 4:00 p.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Meeting Level 2, Room 256).
• Data collection showcases low incidences of visual disturbances, especially severe disturbances.[3] In a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis of recently published evidence of patient-reported visual disturbances after bilateral implantation of PanOptix, Dagny Zhu, MD, found the risks of “severe” and “very bothersome” visual disturbances (halos, glares and starbursts) to be low (~5% and 3%, respectively) in patients with bilateral implantation of PanOptix IOLs. These findings are potentially attributable to the implementation of optical technology, which enables 88% light utilization.[3] Dr. Zhu will present her findings on Sunday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Meeting Level 2, Room 257B).
• The first-ever study to evaluate the impact of SMARTCataract on patient outcomes demonstrates refractive target accuracy and excellent distance monocular visual acuity.[4] In the study, Visual Outcomes of Spherical Monofocal IOL Implantation Using a Cloud-Based Surgical Planning Platform, author Eric Jennings, MD, demonstrates that 93% of eyes planned using Clareon monofocal IOLs and the cloud-based SMARTCataract planner were within ±0.5 D of the planned target and achieved excellent monocular distance visual acuity.4 This study is available as an electronic poster. 
• Phase 4 data presentations further support the IOP lowering efficacy of Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.02%/0.005%) while maintaining convenience of once-daily dosing.[5-8] A four-part series of presentations will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center.
• “Overview of switching from latanoprost alone or adjunctive therapy to netarsudil/latanoprost fixed-dose combination for more IOP lowering” will be presented by Jason Bacharach, MD, on Saturday, April 6 at 10:05 a.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 257B)
• “Consolidating drops: switching from latanoprost-based adjunctive therapies to netarsudil/latanoprost fixed-dose combination to lower IOP” will be presented by Inder Paul Singh, MD, on Saturday, April 6 at 10:10 a.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 257B)
• “Patient-reported outcomes and investigator impressions after switching to netarsudil/latanoprost fixed-dose combination therapy” will be presented by Valerie Trubnik, MD, on Saturday, April 6 at 10:15 a.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 257B)
• “The impact of switching patients on latanoprost monotherapy to netarsudil/latanoprost fixed-dose combination for additional IOP reduction” will be presented by Gagan K. Sawhney, MD, on Sunday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m. (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Meeting Level 2, Room 259A)

Additional long-term outcomes data on Hydrus Microstent will be presented at ASCRS. Hydrus Microstent remains the first and only minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device to report significant safety and effective outcomes from a pivotal trial at five years.[10,11] Encouraging new two-year data show medication reduction and IOP-lowering outcomes in Black and Afro-Latino patients with mild to moderate primary open angle glaucoma.[12] Daniel Laroche, MD, will present “Two Year Retrospective Study on Cataract Surgery and Microstent in Black and Afro–Latino Patients” on Friday, April 5 at 8:10 p.m. 

Peer-to-Peer Events

To complement Alcon’s scientific presence, the company will host peer-to-peer events promoting best practice sharing with the industry’s leading surgeons.

• “Leading Innovation: The Alcon Vision Suite Impact.” A conversation with Jennifer Loh, MD, Robert Melendez, MD, and Eric Rosenberg, DO, moderated by Quentin Allen, MD, discussing how SMARTCataract enables practices to work smarter by connecting diagnostics in their clinics to the surgical equipment in the operating rooms. (Friday, April 5, 6:00-7:00 p.m., The Exchange.)
• “Why it matters to perform cataract surgery at near physiologic IOP.”  A discussion with Cathleen McCabe, MD, Nicole Fram, MD, John Hovanesian, MD, and Matthew Paul Rauen, MD, about performing surgery at near physiologic IOP and the growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of the technique.13 (Saturday, April 6, 7:00-8:00 a.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 210ABC.)
• “How to rule patients in, not out, with Vivity and Hydrus.” A conversation hosted by Farrell “Toby” Tyson, MD, between Brian Shafer, MD, Emily Schehlein, MD, and Zarmeena Vendal, MD, on reframing the patient-physician discussion around premium cataract and glaucoma surgery implantables. (Saturday, April 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 210ABC.

Product Demonstrations and More at Booth #747

Additional educational opportunities and experiences for surgeons will be available at the Alcon booth #747. This year, the booth will feature Alcon’s strides to reduce the environmental footprint in the operating room. Innovations include.

• Shipping ophthalmic viscosurgical devices in green cell foam significantly reduces waste produced in temperature-controlled shipping.[14] 
• Transitioning to digital “Directions for Use” in IOL packaging reduces paper waste.
• Eliminating plastic overwrap on IOL cartons saves 1.92 grams of plastic per carton, resulting in at least 26,000 pounds of plastic reduction annually.[15]

To register for Alcon-sponsored events and gain more information about the Alcon products on display at ASCRS, visit www.AlconatASCRS.com.

References

1.     Modi S., Lehmann R. Comparison of Visual Function Between Two Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses: A Randomized Bilateral Study. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

2.     Modi S., Lehmann R. Patient-Reported Outcomes of Two Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses: A Randomized Bilateral Study. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

3.     Zhu D., Zhang J. Patient-Reported Outcomes of Visual Disturbances with a Trifocal Intraocular Lens: A meta-analysis. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

4.     Jennings E. Visual Outcomes of Spherical Monofocal IOL Implantation Using a Cloud-Based Surgical Planning Platform. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

5.     Bacharach, J. Overview of Switching From Latanoprost Alone or Adjunctive Therapy to Netarsudil/Latanoprost Fixed-Dose Combination for More IOP Lowering. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston. 

6.     Trubnik, V. Patient-Reported Outcomes and Investigator Impressions After Switching to Netarsudil/Latanoprost Fixed-Dose Combination Therapy. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston. 

7.     Singh, I. Consolidating Drops: Switching from Latanoprost-Based Adjunctive Therapies to Netarsudil/Latanoprost Fixed-Dose Combination to Lower IOP. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston. 

8.     Sawhney, G. The Impact of Switching Patients on Latanoprost Monotherapy to Netarsudil/Latanoprost Fixed-Dose Combination for Additional IOP Reduction. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

9.     Groessl EJ, Liu L. Sklar M, Tally SR, Kaplan RM, Ganiats TG. Measuring the Impact of Cataract Surgery on Generic and Vision-specific Quality of Life. Qual Life Res. 2013;22(6):1405-1414. Doi:10.1007/s11136-012-0270-z. 

10.  Ahmed IIK, et al. Long-term Outcomes from the HORIZON Randomized Trial for Schlemm’s Canal Microstent in Combination Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery. Ophthalmology. 2022;129(7):742-751.

11.  NIH. Safety and Effectiveness Study of the Hydrus Microstent for Lowering IOP in Glaucoma Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery (HORIZON). ClinTrials.gov (NCT01539239).

12.  Laroche, D., Adebayo, A. Two Year Retrospective Study on Cataract Surgery and Microstent in Black and Afro-Latino Patients. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; April 5-8, 2024; Boston.

13.  Rauen MP. Phacoemulsification at High IOP and Physiologic IOP: Impact on Anterior Segment Physiology. Paper presented at: ASCRS Annual Meeting; May 5-8, 2023; San Diego.

14.  Green Cell Foam website: https://greencellfoam.com/.

15.  Alcon Data on File, 2024.