In response to increasing rates of myopia in the United States, STAAR Surgical, maker of the EVO Implantable Collamer Lenses (EVO ICL) for myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, announced the expansion and new location of its STAAR Surgical Experience Center.

Located at the company’s headquarters in Lake Forest, Calif., the center offers health-care practitioners — MDs, ODs and support staff — the training and tools that will enable them to optimize outcomes with the EVO ICL, STAAR says. The company cites a 2023 study by Banashefski and Rhee that found prevalence of myopia in Americans is 42%, having doubled over just the past 30 years.

Highlights of Experience Center offerings include:

• Immersive wet lab training stations for up to 24 practitioners, with seating for 59 in lectures
• Stella, STAAR’s latest innovation in ordering EVO ICL lenses. According to the company, it streamlines and enhances the planning and ordering process
• Advanced diagnostic technology demonstrations (including the OCULUS Pentacam AXL Wave, IOLMaster 700 and CIRRUS 6000)
• 120-inch 4K video array for video conferencing and streaming of remote live surgery to enhance training.

The center opened September 26 with a grand-opening event, and offers both in-person and virtual training. STAAR Surgical says it is on track to sell more ICLs between 2024 and 2026 than in the first 25 years of ICL sales combined.