Eyeworld

SPRING 2025 | EYEWORLD | 39 by Liz Hillman Editorial Co-Director ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING PREVIEW "The same old, same old strategies cannot be relied upon anymore. A firm understanding of the current situation facing commercial ophthalmology and a gathering of diverse minds from all areas within the field to conceive of disruptive ideas will pave a positive financial future for ophthalmology," Mr. Speares said. "Be part of the solution and attend SightLine at ASCRS." Business of Interventional Glaucoma The ASOA ASCRS Business of Interventional Glaucoma program will provide ophthalmology professionals—surgeons, practice adminis- trators, and clinic staff—with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to manage and grow interventional glaucoma services within their practice. Why interventional glaucoma? Matt Jensen, former CEO of a leading ophthalmology practice who owns a marketing company and recently started a venture based on facilitating success in operations and implementation, set the following scene. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, with the number of patients expected to increase in the coming decades while the number of providers treating glaucoma is expected to decrease. In addition, there is a significant, well-recognized issue with drop compliance among patients, despite what Mr. Jensen called "impressive pharmaceuticals." "There's a groundswell of people who are looking for a more meaningful intervention. En- ter the whole thought process behind interven- tional glaucoma. It's a new school of thought, which is that drops are great, but they're just a bridge, and we need to surgically or proce- durally intervene first, then prescribe drops to maintain," said Mr. Jensen, who is helping to or- ganize and is speaking at the inaugural Business of Interventional Glaucoma program. However, even though providers might be on board with a surgical or procedure-first mindset for their glaucoma patients, hurdles still exist. "If it was as easy as recommending A SCRS and ASOA are excited to announce two new programs, both geared toward the business side of ophthalmology, taking place Thurs- day, April 24. SightLine at ASCRS SightLine at ASCRS is a new annual gathering that will be held ahead of the ASCRS Annual Meeting. The meeting, which this year will take place from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., April 24, at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel, is bringing together various stakeholders in commercial ophthalmology to understand the challenges currently facing the specialty from a financial perspective—and the sustainable solu- tions that will lead to better financial perfor- mance for ophthalmology in the future. "It's an understatement to say the business of healthcare is evolving rapidly. But the com- mercial stakeholders don't have to sit idly by, allowing this evolution to take ophthalmology along for a wild ride with no say in its direction. Industry, administrators, regulators, payors, and surgeons play an important part in forging a pathway for commercial success in areas of ophthalmology," said ASCRS Executive Director Steve Speares, who is leading the SightLine at ASCRS meeting. "This meeting is intended to facilitate honest and authentic conversations about the current state of commercial ophthal- mology and will explore viable opportunities and creative ideas that will be profitable for practices and industry that supports them." Each year, the meeting will feature annual topics that are worth revisiting for current up- dates as well as yearly themed discussions. This year's theme, "Exploring Payment Pathways Be- yond Coverage," will include topics like building a new payment category, myopia management, and patient pay in chronic disease. Two brand-new programs on Thursday prior to the ASCRS Annual Meeting continued on page 40 Learn more about SightLine at ASCRS!

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