ASCRS announced a new educational initiative — the ASCRS Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery Summit (BRiCS) — designed to equip practices with the essential knowledge, resources and confidence to enhance the adoption of advanced-technology IOLs.

According to an ASCRS press release, BRiCS will offer more than 18 hours of in-person coursework, and will take place Sept. 27-28, 2024 in Irving, Texas, near Dallas. Additionally, attendees will have access to an extensive online resource library, featuring customizable business forms, checklists, educational slideshows and more.

“More than half of patients seeking cataract consultations are interested in increasing their spectacle independence, yet not enough practices offer the implant technologies needed to achieve these refractive results. Why? I believe it is due to a lack of confidence and resources,” said Vance Thompson, MD, ASCRS president and chair of the new program. “The ASCRS Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery Summit aims to equip surgeons and practice teams with the tools and knowledge necessary to bridge this gap.”

Another key element of BRiCS, Dr. Thompson says, is that the program’s enrollment includes both a surgeon and a practice team member. "I firmly believe that successful adoption of advanced-technology IOLs requires the entire team to be involved," he says. "The surgeon often only has a few critical touchpoints with the patient during their refractive cataract journey. Educating the rest of the staff, who interact with these patients too, gives the practice team a sense of ownership in the process and ensures a positive patient experience from consultation to postoperative visits.”

For more information and to register for the ASCRS Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery Summit, visit https://ascrs.org/meetings/brics/course.