At the 2025 ASCRS meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. Bonnie An Henderson highlighted AI’s growing influence in cataract and refractive surgery, covering its applications, importance of diverse data, and ethical considerations. She stressed AI’s potential in surgery guidance and patient diagnosis, forecasting a bright future for these technologies in ophthalmology.
At the recent 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. Bonnie An Henderson took center stage to share her insights on artificial intelligence, or AI, in cataract and refractive surgery. Speaking passionately, she pointed out how AI is, in her view, perfectly aligned with the needs of ophthalmology. “Artificial intelligence is a huge topic all around the world, but especially in ophthalmology,” she declared, emphasizing how crucial these technologies are to the field.
Dr. Henderson showcased how AI is reshaping cataract surgery, from diagnostic tools to intraocular lens (IOL) calculations. She mentioned that ophthalmologists are now routinely using AI for diagnosis, helping to classify cataract types and grade severity. “Artificial intelligence is already being used on a day-to-day basis for ophthalmologists,” she stated. This shift indicates AI is quickly becoming integral to everyday practice.
A particularly eye-catching point in her talk was AI’s growing role in surgical guidance. Using deep learning models, AI is being trained to analyze surgical videos, identify anatomical structures, and monitor instruments during procedures. A study from Sun Yat-sen University provided a fascinating example, where AI models have been trained to help guide surgeons through the 12 key steps of cataract surgery. “The AI program would give them a warning and say, ‘Hey, you forgot a step,'” she explained, highlighting how this technology sparks critical thinking in real-time situations.
But it isn’t all smooth sailing. Dr. Henderson raised important ethical considerations regarding AI in ophthalmology. She stressed the necessity of utilizing diverse patient data when training these models, warning against relying on a homogeneous dataset. “We have to make sure that we’re feeding the model with lots and lots of different types of images from different populations…to make the right conclusions,” she cautioned.
Looking ahead, Dr. Henderson is optimistic about the future. She believes that the rise of artificial intelligence is just beginning. “The use of artificial intelligence will continue to grow,” she concluded, noting that in the coming years, there will likely be significant advancements in its ability to triage and diagnose patients.
In summary, Dr. Bonnie An Henderson’s compelling presentation at the ASCRS 2025 meeting shed light on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in cataract and refractive surgery. From diagnostic tools to ethical considerations and surgical guidance, AI has a promising future in ophthalmology. The discussion emphasized a necessity for diverse data and hinted at a wave of growth in AI applications for patient care in the coming years.
Original Source: www.ophthalmologytimes.com
