SightLine
Agenda
2027 Theme: The Hybrid Horizon
This year's theme, "The Hybrid Horizon," poses a direct question: The merging of human instinct and machine precision is coming—is commercial ophthalmology prepared?
SightLine at ASCRS will explore:
- The obvious: How AI is reshaping patient interaction, staffing, marketing, billing and coding, and treatment planning; and where robotic surgery stands today, what it promises for outcomes, and—critically—who ends up paying for it.
- The less obvious: Is the "Robotic Rep" on the horizon for industry? Will 3D printing find its way into the OR? Will back-office AI efficiencies stay in industry's pocket or translate into more affordable advanced technology for practices? And how might patient counseling and informed consent themselves be reinvented?
The meeting will also feature annual reoccurring topics including:
- Survey data on ophthalmic practice financial health
- A comprehensive survey model for key products
- How the financial markets see ophthalmology
- Winning Practice Challenge
- Ophthalmologists working beyond patient care
Conversations and Connections
The conversations continue beyond the sessions. SightLine at ASCRS brings together ophthalmologists, practice leaders, industry executives, and other key voices in ophthalmology for meaningful opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships. From informal conversations to dedicated networking opportunities, attendees can engage with colleagues and explore new perspectives on where ophthalmology is headed next.
Thu
Apr 09, 2026
8:00–8:15 a.m.
Survey Results on Attitudes and Trends Among Commercial Ophthalmology Stakeholders
— Steve Speares, ASCRS
8:15–8:35 a.m.
Ophthalmology in the Healthcare Market
— John Bishai, JP Morgan
8:35–9:05 a.m.
Scale, Shift, and Shareholder Value: How Ophthalmology Strategics Are Rewriting the Playbook
Moderator: Jim Mazzo, Neurotech
Panel: Mark Baum, Harrow; Julie Brewer, Alcon; Kelly Giuffrida, AbbVie; Brent Saunders, Bausch + Lomb
The discussion will examine how large ophthalmic companies are adapting amid maturing markets, capital discipline, reimbursement pressure, and rapid innovation, spanning portfolio strategy and capital allocation, growth and M&A realities, operating constraints, and the evolving role of strategics as ecosystem orchestrators.
“Join SightLine 2026 and attend the two executive viewpoint roundtable sessions, where leading ophthalmology executives share real-world scenarios and firsthand experiences on how they stayed resilient, adapted their strategies, and led their businesses through change. This isn’t theory. It’s what it takes to scale and succeed.” — Jim Mazzo, Neurotech
9:05–9:45 a.m.
WTH Is Going On at the FDA?!
Moderator: Robert Stanislaro, FTI Consulting
Panel: John Berdahl, MD; Neera Clase, Tarsus; Kuldev Singh, MD, MPH; Barrett Thornhill, Forbes Tate Partners; Steve Usdin, BioCentury
10:10–10:40 a.m.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Medicare Crossroads for Practices
Moderator: Cathleen McCabe, MD
Presenter: Steven Dell, MD
10:40–11:50 a.m.
Winning Practice Challenge
Moderators: Vance Thompson, MD; Carrie Jacobs, COE
Judges: Debbie Davis, COE, Atwal Eye Care; Amy Jacobs, Sandbox Strategic; Bill Rabourn, Medical Consulting Gruop
Practice Presenters: Nicole Fram, MD; Eric Donnenfeld, MD; Blake Williamson, MD
The Winning Practice Challenge is a new feature at SightLine 2026. This session will look at several ophthalmic practices that are healthy and thriving in today’s environment. Practices will be evaluated for the clinical excellence and intelligent use of technology, patient experience and culture of care, operational excellence and practice health, team engagement and development, and strategic growth and community impact. Get ready to vote as an audience for the winner!
"Ophthalmology practices today are navigating a new reality with declining third-party reimbursement alongside rising expectations from patients, teams yearning for sound leadership, and rising technology costs. The exciting news is that many practices are not just surviving in this environment, they’re thriving. The Winning Practice Challenge will spotlight three remarkable practices that are redefining what success looks like in modern ophthalmology through clinical excellence, innovation, culture, and strategic growth. I’m thrilled to moderate this session with someone I have learned so much from, Carrie Jacobs, executive director of Chu Vision and past ASOA president, because it’s not about theory, it’s about learning from real practices that are showing us how to win in today’s era of medicine." —Vance Thompson, MD
1:00–1:35 p.m.
The Future of Medicare Under the Weight of $38 Trillion in Debt
Moderator: Mark Cribben, JD, ASCRS
Panel: Amy Zhou, Senior Policy Advisor, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, MD; Austin Welter, Legislative Director, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD
Senior health care staff from key leaders in Congress share their unique perspective on challenges facing Medicare and the prospect for reform in this Congress and beyond. Gain invaluable insight into how actions in Congress impact your bottom line.
1:35–2:15 p.m.
From Innovation to Impact: Building Ophthalmology Companies That Scale
Moderator: Jim Mazzo, Neurotech
Panel: Joe Gilliam, Glaukos; Jim Hollingshead, BVI; Peter Menziuso, Johnson & Johnson; Warren Foust, STAAR Surgical; Ron Kurtz, RxSight
2:15–2:45 p.m.
The Patient Will See You Now: Who Controls The Future of Communication - Patients, Physicians, Regulators or Industry?
Moderator: Nancy Beesley, Executive Strategic Advisor
Panel: Kerry Solomon, MD, Carolina Eyecare Physicians; Rob Heller, Heller Agency; Andrew Stewart, Bausch + Lomb; Imane Tarib, MD, Wilmer Eye Institute
2:45–3:00 p.m.
Closing
— Steve Speares, ASCRS
