The final day of APACRS served surgical secrets, future lenses and a salty dose of perspective.
Just a stone’s throw from the convention center, the Dandi Kutir (a.k.a. Salt Mount) Museum reaches upward like a monument to memory and meaning. Dedicated entirely to Mahatma Gandhi—the only museum in India built around a single man—it traces the arc of his life and teachings. At its core lies the “salt” that sparked a movement, standing as a symbol of resilience, unity and an unshakable clarity of vision.
It’s a fitting neighbor for the 37th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS 2025). After all, what is ophthalmology if not the pursuit of sharper sight and stronger futures? On this final day, attendees were reminded that modern vision thrives best when grounded in cultural depth, wisdom and, yes, a touch of tenacity.
Day 3 may have been the conference’s swan song, but the energy in Ahmedabad didn’t flag. Corridors still buzzed with post-lecture debates, hurried chai chats turned into career-long collaborations, and the podium delivered a steady stream of “note this down” moments.
READ MORE: APACRS 2025 Day 2: Seasonal Rain, Surgical Saves and Fiery Debates
Lessons from the scientific halls
Seeing it all (or at least trying to). From EDOF showdowns and mix-and-match trifocal strategies to the pitfalls of post-LASIK options, this morning session proved that “correcting presbyopia” is less a one-lens solution and more an art of precision, patience and the occasional reality check.
Tap to see who compared what, and which pearls had the audience scribbling notes: Cracking the Presbyopia Code: Diverse IOL Strategies Take Center Stage at APACRS 2025
Future vision, literally. We’re talking enhanced monofocals, refractive EDOFs and even pinhole optics. From kanji-reading priorities in Japan to toric troubleshooting tricks and a refractive lens that swears it can give clarity without the halos, this afternoon session served up IOL innovations that were sharp and shiny.
Tap for an insider tour of what might be landing in your surgical tray next: Peering into the Future of IOLs: Enhanced Monofocals to Refractive EDOF Designs
Surgical secrets, guru-style. Ever wonder how top cataract surgeons make the toughest cases look like a breeze? At this late session, the likes of Prof. Burkhard Dick (Germany), Dr. Sri Ganesh (India) and Dr. Hisaharu Suzuki (Japan) shared subtle tricks and surgical sleights of hand worth taking back to the OR.
Delegates voted after 12 speakers presented their surgical wisdom. Prof. Chee Soon Phaik snagged the coveted “Best Tip” prize for her innovative “impale, pull, rotate” maneuver, while Dr. Thanapong Somkijrungroj earned the runner-up honors for his insights into side port optimization: Top Cataract Tips from APACRS 2025: Techniques You Can Use Tomorrow
Industry buzz from beyond
Calgary-based Ocumetics (Canada) announced its successful first-in-human implantation of its accommodating IOL. Unlike standard monofocals or multifocals, the Ocumetics Lens is designed to mimic the eye’s natural focusing ability by syncing with the ciliary muscle and natural eye movements.
If trial results deliver as promised, we could be looking at a new chapter in spectacle independence, with fewer compromises on visual quality. The company will now advance its clinical program, honing in on long-term safety, efficacy and patient outcomes.
Meanwhile, glaucoma research received a powerful tailwind. The Glaucoma Research Foundation announced a landmark $5 million gift from the John and Daria Barry Foundation—the largest in its history. The funds will launch the Treatment Accelerator Initiative, designed to speed neuroprotection and vision-preserving innovations from bench to bedside.
The program will fuel high-potential early-stage projects, foster collaborations between scientists and industry, and support the leap into preclinical and first-in-human studies. For millions worldwide living with glaucoma, this could mean innovative therapies reaching patients faster than ever before.
READ MORE: A New Interventional Glaucoma Consensus Protocol Has Arrived
Signing off
As APACRS 2025 draws to a close, attendees left not only with sharper surgical strategies and fresh research insights, but also with a reminder of the power of vision…both literal and metaphorical. From Gandhi’s lessons of unity to ophthalmology’s mission to preserve sight, Ahmedabad offered a backdrop where past and future met eye to eye.
Next stop? EURETINA 2025 in Paris. We’ll be there to bring you the debates, the data and maybe even a few café-side pearls. Until then, safe travels. Namaste!
Editor’s Note: The 37th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS 2025) is being held from 21-23 August in Ahmedabad, India. Reporting for this story took place during the event. This content is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals. It is not intended for the general public. Products or therapies discussed may not be registered or approved in all jurisdictions, including Singapore.