SPECIAL ASCRS PREVIEW
Las Vegas
2021

The 2021 ASCRS annual meeting will take place July 23-27 in Las Vegas, Nev., at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The event will follow pandemic safety guidelines as outlined by the city and Mandalay Bay, which features a medical-grade filtration and HVAC system throughout its property. Additionally, all hotels used for the meeting are part of the convention center’s property, removing the need for outside bussing to the event.

MEETING EVENTS

Highlights from this year’s schedule include:

Friday, July 23

• ASCRS Subspecialty Day: Registered attendees will be able to freely move between three sessions — one each for cornea, glaucoma and refractive fields — at no charge. ASCRS Cornea Day will feature a new session on the topic of perspectives, such as where cornea treatments are currently and where treatments are heading in the future. ASCRS Refractive Day will feature the Steinert Refractive Lecture, presented by Marguerite McDonald, MD. ASCRS Glaucoma Day will feature a panel that includes past leadership of the ASCRS Glaucoma Clinical Committee: Reay Brown, MD; Richard Lewis, MD; Douglas Rhee, MD; and Thomas Samuelson, MD.
• Young Eye Surgeons Cataract Surgery/MIGS Wet Lab: This educational session will review the steps of cataract surgical procedures, including: incisions, capsulorhexis, machine settings, phacoemulsification, fluidics, cortex removal, chopping, flipping and placement of capsular tension rings, iris hooks and expansion rings.

Saturday, July 24

• Opening general session: The general session will begin at 10 a.m., with comments given by ASCRS program chair Edward Holland, MD, and incoming ASCRS president Richard Hoffman, MD. Other presentations will include “Lessons Learned from the Times of COVID,” by David Parke, MD; the presentation of the inaugural ASCRS Educator Award to Thomas Oetting, MD, MS; presentation of the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award to Geoff Tobin, MD, and Sanduk Ruit, MD; the ASCRS Hall of Fame Ceremony; the ASCRS Binkhorst Lecture by Richard Lewis, MD; and recognition of the ASCRS Honored Guests: Stephen Brint, MD, and Peter Laibson, MD.

Sunday, July 25

• Sunday General Session – Presentation by Scott Gottlieb, MD: Presenting at 10 a.m. will be Dr. Gottlieb, former commissioner of the FDA. He will share his views on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on ophthalmology. The presentation will include a panel discussion and audience Q&A.
• The Lindstrom Symposium: Following Dr. Gottlieb’s presentation will be the inaugural Lindstrom Symposium lecture, named to recognize the contributions made by Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, to ASCRS and the field of ophthalmology in his more than 40-year career. Additionally, Edward Holland, MD, will be honored with the Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, Lecture and Medal; Dr. Holland’s lecture is titled “A Cornea Odyssey: Challenges and Triumphs.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

This year will also have the first live meeting of the Eyecelerator conference, on Thursday, July 22. A joint project with the AAO and ASCRS that premiered virtually in 2020, Eyecelerator focuses on connecting entrepreneurs, investors, companies and ophthalmologists to help advance ophthalmic innovation.

Also featured this year in the exhibit hall will be the “ASCRS Tap Room,” with extra precautions taken for the pandemic. Originally intended to premier at last year’s show, the ASCRS Tap Room is envisioned as a gathering spot for show attendees and industry partners to grab a snack or drink while discussing presentations or topics from the conference. ASCRS plans to have dividers and other social distancing measures in place as well.

The Tap Room will also feature a live broadcast of the podcast “The Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles,” with hosts Nicole Fram, MD, and Elizabeth Yeu, MD, talking with guests about impactful surgical moments.

For more information, go to annualmeeting.ascrs.org . OM

Exhibitor product preview

As we start leaving quarantine, the annual ASCRS meeting will be the first chance for many of us to see our fellow industry professionals in-person once again. To help you better navigate the show floor in Las Vegas, we have invited advertisers to submit a brief company or product intro, along with website and ASCRS booth number. — Larry Patterson, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Alcon

Alcon is helping increase patients’ vision possibilities with its AcrySof IQ Vivity Extended Vision IOL and AcrySof IQ Vivity Toric IOL, the first and only non-diffractive extended depth of focus IOL.
Booth #3601
www.vivityview.com

 

 

Bio-Tissue

Bio-Tissue specializes in birth tissue products for ocular surface disease and injury, harnessing the unique properties of these tissues through its proprietary CryoTek method. Bio-Tissue products PROKERA, AmnioGraft and AmnioGuard aid in treating ocular surface disease and reconstruction. Cliradex is the company’s patented formula for lid margin diseases.
Booth #2009
www.biotissue.com

 

 

BVI

Featured at the BVI booth will be the IPure IOL, the first and only fully pre-loaded hydrophobic aspheric monofocal IOL available in both a 1-Piece and 3-Piece design. Attendees can schedule a wet lab session for Endo Optiks for MIGS, I-Ring and other equipment or sign up for Future Hub to see what BVI is working on. 
Booth #5208
www.bvimedical.com/ascrs2021

 

 

Compulink

Compulink’s All-in-One EHR & Practice Management solution offers a variety of tools for ophthalmologists. Compulink’s Advantage SMART Practice was built with technology to automate repetitive tasks and save businesses time and money. It includes a built-in ASC module, Optical, e-commerce and more.
Booth #1808
www.compulinkadvantage.com/ophthalmology

 

 

Ellex

Ellex’s proprietary Reflex Technology platform features True Coaxial Illumination, on- and off-axis modes, which maximizes focusing accuracy and provides a safe and highly effective tool for anterior chamber procedures.
Booth #3831
www.ellex.com

 

 

EyeMD EMR

EyeMD EMR is an ophthalmic EMR designed to increase practice efficiency. Now including PM, Imaging and Optical, EyeMD EMR provides an all-in-one solution solely dedicated to serving the ophthalmologist; EyeMD EMR also prides itself on its product support.
Booth #1923
www.eyemdemr.com

 

 

Eyevance Pharmaceuticals

Since founded in 2017, Eyevance has been dedicated to advancing ocular health through innovative and impactful topical ophthalmic products targeting the ocular surface and anterior segment. In September 2020, Eyevance was acquired by Santen Holdings U.S. Inc. For additional information, visit the Eyevance website below and follow on Twitter (@EyevancePharma ) and LinkedIn (Eyevance Pharmaceuticals).
Booth #2830
www.eyevance.com

 

 

Glaukos

Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders and retinal diseases. Glaukos is leveraging its platform technology to build a comprehensive and proprietary portfolio of micro-scale surgical and pharmaceutical therapies in glaucoma, corneal health and retinal disease.
Booth #3025
www.glaukos.com

 

 

Haag-Streit Group

Haag-Streit has been developing new technology for ophthalmologists for over 160 years. The company’s slit lamps, surgical microscopes and medical equipment emphasize precision, efficiency and accuracy. One of the company’s newest products is the CO:RE Surgical Chair, ergonomically optimized for ophthalmic surgeons.
Booth #2825
www.haag-streit-usa.com

 

 

HEINE

HEINE is a global manufacturer of primary diagnostic instruments and a wholly family-owned and managed company for more than 70 years. HEINE instruments are developed and manufactured at the company’s facilities in Germany. Visit HEINE’s booth to see the OMEGA 600, the company’s new lightweight, high-end indirect ophthalmoscope.
Booth #1628
www.heine.com

 

 

ImprimisRx

ImprimisRx is an ophthalmology-focused pharmaceutical compounding business, with more than 40 formulations servicing all 50 states. ImprimisRx features Simple Pricing for Simple Drops PF topical medications, simplifying drug pricing for patients dealing with complex treatment regimens. Any single drug costs $19/month; any combination drug costs $39/month.
Booth #5625
www.imprimisrx.com

 

 

Leiters

Leiters is an FDA-registered 503B outsourcing provider of quality compounded sterile preparations and pharmacy services. Leiters offers an FDA-Compliant Repackaged Avastin service as well as a variety of ready-to-use ophthalmic medications, including injections, antibiotics, dilating agents and topical anesthetics for physicians and their patients. 
Booth #1631
www.leiters.com

 

 

LENSAR

LENSAR, Inc., specialists in next-generation femtosecond cataract laser technology, continues focusing on astigmatism with Streamline IV. Enhancements include IntelliAxis Refractive Capsulorhexis, which incorporates steep axis markings on the capsule for precise toric IOL alignment, providing surgeons with advanced technology for confidently managing astigmatism and optimizing patient outcomes.
Booth #2531
www.lensar.com

 

 

M&S Technologies

M&S Clinical Trial Suite (CTS) consists of a variety of vision testing algorithms that can be customized to accommodate the most complex clinical trials. CTS directly responds to user input and can be customized for individual trial needs. The CTS protocols adhere strictly to ANSI and ISO standards.
Booth #2231
www.mstech-eyes.com/products/category/clinical-trial-suite

 

 

NIDEK

NIDEK offers a wide array of equipment designed for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal and glaucoma diseases, corneal and other vision-impairing afflictions. NIDEK will showcase its YC-200 S plus YAG/SLT combination laser, now available with optional coaxial illumination tower and optional combo YAG/SLT/Green adapter.
Booth #5415
www.usa.nidek.com

 

 

OCULUS

OCULUS has been involved in the eye-care industry since 1895. Its range of products includes the Pentacam, perimeters, topographers, pachymeters, autorefractors and keratometers. On display will be the new Pentacam AXL Wave with Optical Biometry, Wavefront Aberrometry, Objective Refraction and Retroillumination.
Booth #3016
www.pentacam.com/axl-wave

 

 

OCuSOFT

OCuSOFT, most recognized for its doctor-recommended brand of eyelid cleansers, has served the ophthalmic community since 1986 with a unique selection of proprietary brands, including OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Eyelid Cleansers and OCuSOFT Thermal 1-Touch Localized Heat Therapy. Visit its booth to learn more.
Booth #5021 
www.ocusoft.com

 

 

RVL Pharmaceuticals

RVL Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an Osmotica company, was born out of the eye-care community and created for the purpose of bringing Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.1% to market. RVL’s fully-owned and integrated pharmacy is modernizing prescription access to Upneeq through a consistent, seamless experience for providers and patients.
Booth #1625
www.upneeq.com

 

 

RxSight

RxSight has developed the first and only FDA-approved IOL that is adjusted post-operatively to improve uncorrected visual acuity. Visit its booth at ASCRS 2021 to learn how the Light Adjustable Lens can help surgeons improve precision and adjustability.
Booth #4808
www.rxsight.com

 

 

Santen

In a partnership with glaucoma surgeons, Santen is working towards addressing the unmet need for an innovative device that provides post-op predictability and target IOP sustainability.
Booth #3030
www.advancingglaucomasurgery.com/device-innovation

 

 

Vital Tears

Vital Tears works to simplify the process of obtaining serum tears for physicians and their patients. The company provides convenient, universal access to eyedrops for anyone in the United States, regardless of location. Visit the Vital Tears booth to learn more.
Booth #1431
www.vitaltears.org