Alcon is doubling down on the future of cataracts by snapping up LENSAR and its robotic laser tech.
Alcon thinks the future of cataract surgery is femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), and it’s taking more than a third of a billion dollars to prove it.
The Swiss eye care giant has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LENSAR, Inc. (Orlando, Florida), a company specializing in FLACS and related technology.
The $356 million ($430 million with contingencies) deal will allow Alcon to expand its cataract equipment portfolio with next-generation laser solutions.
“We are excited for the opportunity to bring LENSAR’s unique next-generation technologies and intellectual property into our innovative, market-leading equipment portfolio,” said David Endicott, Chief Executive Officer of Alcon.
With LENSAR’s ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser System and its Streamline software now in Alcon’s hands, the acquisition is a sure sign the company is betting on the future of femtosecond laser tech, despite its miniscule market footprint.
Currently, FLACS represents just 3–4% of the approximately 32 million cataract procedures performed globally each year, while phacoemulsification (phaco) remains the dominant method with more than 70% of the market.1
Inside the acquisition: ALLY and LENSAR technologies
At the heart of the deal is the ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser System, LENSAR’s latest femtosecond laser platform.
According to LENSAR, the ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser System is built to boost surgical precision and make workflows smoother. The system combines imaging, femtosecond laser, and surgeon-guided automation in one device, helping to cut down procedure time and improve consistency from case to case.
The deal also brings in LENSAR’s earlier FLACS platforms and its Streamline software, which offers tools for customized treatment planning, astigmatism correction and digital integration.
Despite the benefits of FLACS, its adoption has been limited by factors like cost, infrastructure, and surgeon training. Alcon’s expanded portfolio could help bring advanced refractive cataract surgery tools to a broader international market. The global adoption rate has slowly risen from 3% to around 4% by 2025, indicating gradual acceptance of laser-assisted techniques.1
Where does FLACS go from here?
If the deal clears regulatory hurdles and closes as expected in mid-to-late 2025, Alcon will inherit a laser system already approved for use in major markets, including the U.S. and Europe. With its global distribution network and deep R&D pipeline, Alcon is in a good place to scale LENSAR’s innovations far beyond their current reach.
Alcon’s global reach could make it easier for more clinics and surgeons to adopt FLACS by lowering costs and improving access — smoothing out hurdles that have slowed its growth in the past.
For LENSAR, the acquisition marks both a beginning and an end. Its leadership sees the move as a natural next step that fits with its long-term goal to bring more precision and automation to cataract surgery.
“Thanks to the continued passion and commitment of LENSAR associates, customers and our investors, we are excited about the potential Alcon has to advance the industry in next-generation laser technology for refractive cataract surgery, furthering our and their mission to meet the needs of both surgeons and their cataract patients,” said Nick Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of LENSAR.
With more people needing cataract surgery and expecting better results, there’s a growing interest in smarter, tech-powered tools. Whether FLACS catches on more widely may come down to how well companies like Alcon can improve access and deliver meaningful economic and clinical benefits.
The laser race is heating up — and Alcon just made its next move.
For more information, see Alcon’s press release on the acquisition.
Reference
- Market Scope News. Available at: https://www.market-scope.com/pages/news/5411/phaco-and-flacs-upgrades-to-drive-expansion-in-cataract-equipment-market Accessed on 25 March 2025.