Eyeworld Daily News

26 Friday, April 17, 2015 by Ellen Stodola EyeWorld Staff Writer Dr. Link highlighted Dr. Lindstrom's many accomplishments and the broad impact that he has had in the field of ophthalmology. He's an inventor with more than 35 patents, Dr. Link said. He's an investor who has invested in more than 45 ophthalmic companies. He has been a consultant or advisor for more than 50 companies and has served on the board of more than 20 companies. Additionally, he is a surgeon who has done more than 60,000 surgeries in anterior segment surgery and is a teacher and a mentor who has trained 73 fellows who have practiced under his leadership. Dr. Lindstrom has given more than 40 named lectures and participated in more than 50 clinical trials. He's a fine friend and family man, Dr. Link said. Following Dr. Link's introduc- tion, a video was shown with com- ments from a number of colleagues and those involved in the industry congratulating Dr. Lindstrom. EW ing with startups, academics, and practicing physicians, he said, which are some of the greatest sources of ideas and innovations. The compa- ny also uses 3 different pathways to innovation: internal development, licensed technologies, and acquired companies. The company is look- ing for what's going to be best for patients and what's going to be best for doctors in terms of building prac- tices, he said. "Valeant and Bausch + Lomb are committed to bringing innovation to the market and to work with you and the best minds in the indus- try to make this happen," he said. The search for innovation extends beyond the 4 walls of the company, he added. After the plenary talk, Dr. Link introduced the winner of this year's Lifetime Innovator Award, which was kept secret until the meeting. This year's winner was Richard Lindstrom, MD, Minneapolis. future looks bright with opportuni- ties 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 only 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 (Quebec, Canada) on "Valeant's Approach to Innovation." His presentation included the approach from both Valeant and Bausch + Lomb (Bridgewater, N.J.). He highlighted the large number of new products that the company has helped to bring to market in the past 2 years and the number that it also hopes to bring to market over the next 2 years. One of the key ways that the company does this and helps to facilitate innovation is by work- 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 ophthal- mic companies showcase featured representatives from 12 different companies. Other panels included a "Spotlight on MIGS," and a "Spotlight on Pressure Reduction." Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Rockville Centre, N.Y., gave the market over- view on MIGS and moderated the session, which featured company presentations and a panel discussion with Richard Lewis, MD, Sacra- mento, 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 profiles and differences between some of the main concerns of cata- ract surgeons and glaucoma sur- geons. It's important where MIGS is concerned to look at safety, efficacy, 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 in 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 cata- ract surgeons but also by patients. MIGS is cost effective for surgeons, surgical centers, and patients, Dr. Donnenfeld said. 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 glau- coma. Many seem to be embracing this opportunity, he said, and the EW SHOW DAILY Richard Lindstrom, MD, receives Lifetime Innovator Award at OIS@ASCRS Dr. Lindstrom accepts Lifetime Innovator Award from Dr. Link.

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