EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/511377
EW MEETING REPORTER 78 May 2015 Reporting from OIS@ASCRS 2015, April 16, 2015 San Diego Reporting from OIS@ASCRS 2015 O IS@ASCRS began with a welcome and opening remarks from one of the summit's co-chairs, William Link, PhD, San Francisco, followed by his review of the ophthalmology innovation cycle in 2015. Next, an ophthalmic com- panies showcase featured representa- tives from 12 different companies. Panels included a "Spotlight on MIGS," and a "Spotlight on Pressure Reduction." Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Rockville Centre, N.Y., gave the market overview on MIGS and mod- erated the session, which featured company presentations and a panel discussion with Richard Lewis, MD, Sacramento, Calif., Kerry Solomon, MD, Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Mark Rosenberg, MD, Phoenix. Dr. Donnenfeld first discussed MIGS today, including the mecha- nism of action, market opportunity, and the future of MIGS. He high- lighted traditional glaucoma surgery Dr. Lindstrom accepts the Lifetime Innovator Award from Dr. Link. profiles and differences between some of the main concerns of cataract surgeons and glaucoma sur- geons. It's important where MIGS is concerned to look at safety, efficac , and economics, he said. Dr. Donnenfeld also shared some predictions for the increase of MIGS use. Insurance approval for ocular hypertension and insurance approval for multiple MIGS devic- es could play a factor in this. He said that expansion of use beyond cataract surgery, patient demand, improvement in the ease of use, and physician reimbursement could all play roles in the increase of the use of MIGS procedures. MIGS improves patient quality of life, Dr. Donnenfeld said, by re- ducing or possibility eliminating the need for glaucoma medications. It is safe and efficacious and is embraced not only by glaucoma and cataract surgeons but also by patients. MIGS is cost effective for surgeons, surgical centers, and patients, according to Dr. Donnenfeld. Dr. Solomon commented on MIGS from the viewpoint of the cataract surgeon. MIGS has been huge, he said, and it's a paradigm shift where patients are going to be treated for mild or moderate glauco- ma. Many seem to be embracing this opportunity, he said, and the future looks bright with opportunities expanding. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Rosenberg said he has been aggres- sively involved in integration of new technology. He said that this was the easiest new technology innovation that he's seen, and there's a low capital expenditure required. During the networking lunch, the plenary talk was given by J. Michael Pearson, the chairman of the board and CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals (Laval, Quebec) on "Valeant's Approach to Innova- tion." His presentation included the Supported by