The Premium IOL Market Is Accelerating

What this means for cataract surgeons.

Wayne Caulder

Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today

Leading ophthalmic practices must embrace innovation to stay competitive. Adopting cutting-edge solutions such as premium IOLs can enhance patient outcomes and reinforce a practice’s commitment to excellence. Wayne Caulder is a trailblazer in ophthalmology whose pioneering work has helped shape patient care and surgical practices. The insights he shares in this article underscore the importance of embracing change and striving for excellence in a competitive landscape. Tracy J. Kenniff, MBA, OCS Premium IOLs have moved from the margins of cataract surgery into the mainstream of modern ophthalmic practice. What was once a niche offering is now a core growth engine for practices across the United States and a meaningful driver of patient satisfaction, practice differentiation, and long-term sustainability. Understanding why this market is expanding and how to respond thoughtfully is essential for any surgeon focused on the future. A MARKET POISED FOR CONTINUED GROWTH The United States is, by far, the largest premium cataract surgery market in the world; it accounts for approximately 36% of global manufacturer revenue.1 Of the estimated 5.2 million cataract and refractive lens exchange procedures that were expected in 2025, Market Scope projected that roughly 38%—or about 1.98 million cases—would include at least one premium component.1 Several factors explain why the US market has reached this scale. First, the country has a large and relatively affluent patient population with high expectations for visual performance.

The Slit Lamp Reinvented for the 21st Century

The Elara 900 brings the finest details into sharp focus while streamlining workflow and enhancing ergonomics.

Iqbal (Ike) K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC; Gerd U. Auffarth, MD, PhD, FEBO; David Goldblum, MD; Maria Kugelberg, MD, PhD; Sunil Mamtora, MBBS; Filomena Ribeiro MD, PhD, FEBO

Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today

Redefining Bleb Assessment Using Anterior Segment OCT

A transition from subjective clinical judgment to objective imaging in glaucoma filtration surgery.

Neeru A. Vallabh, MBBS, FRCOphth, PhD, FEBOS-GL, and Jeremy C.K. Tan, MD, MMed, FRANZCO

Glaucoma Today

Key Takeaways Traditional methods for grading the appearance of a postoperative filtering bleb offer limited insight into its internal structure and function. Anterior segment OCT provides detailed insight into bleb architecture, allowing ophthalmologists to objectively quantify bleb appearance. Quantitative bleb metrics correlate with surgical outcomes, and the use of anterior segment OCT for bleb assessment may enhance postoperative care. Glaucoma filtration surgery, including trabeculectomy and deep sclerectomy, succeeds or fails based largely on the health of the postoperative filtering bleb. Clinicians have traditionally graded the bleb’s appearance at the slit lamp using subjective scales, such as the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale and Moorfields Bleb Grading System, that note the bleb’s height, area, and vascularity.1,2 These external assessments, however, offer limited insight into the bleb’s internal structure and function.

Featured Podcasts

Ophthalmology off the Grid

Open. Outspoken. It's Ophthalmology off the Grid—an honest look at controversial topics in the field.

View Feed

New Retina Radio

New Retina Radio is a place to hear stories about retina that are told nowhere else.

View Feed

Eyewire News: The Podcast

Get the latest information and breaking news in the ophthalmic field.

View Feed

Moorfields Researchers Reveal Promising Treatment for Hypotony

Eyetube

New research may provide hope for patients with a rare vision-threatening condition; the first daily disposable soft contact lens using EDOF technology for presbyopia is cleared in the US; and there several advancements made in the clinical development of treatment candidates for retinal diseases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EyewireTV

04.15.2026

04.15.2026

J&J Tecnis PureSee EDOF IOL

Alcon Clareon TruPlus IOL

Oculus Pentacam Cornea OCT

Zeiss VisioGen

B+L Bi-Blade+ and Adaptive Fluidics

Iantrek AlloSpan Canal

Cassini - Leica Collaboration

Lumenis ULTRApulse Alpha CO2

VirtuaLens Monovision Simulation

Eyewire News

Phase 1 Data for Vamikibart Published in JAMA Ophthalmology

Low-Dose Atropine Shows Promise in Slowing Childhood Myopia, Real-World Study Finds

MeiraGTx Announces the Acquisition of XLRP Therapy From J&J

Stocks

Cataract

The Premium IOL Market Is Accelerating

Alcon and Lensar Call Off Merger

Refractive Lens Exchange in the Presbyopic Gray Zone

A Patient-Centered Counseling Framework

Pupillary IOL Removal, Soemmering Removal, Akreos IOL, and Posterior Lamellar Transplant DSAEK

Phacoemulsification, PC-IOL Implantation, and Posterior Lamellar Corneal Transplant in Eye With Hard Cataract and Severe Bullous Keratopathy

04.15.2026

Glaukos Secures Permanent J-Code for Epioxa

04.14.2026

Halma Acquires Surgistar, Maker of Ophthalmic Instruments and Devices

04.14.2026

Smoking Doubles Risk of Major Eye Diseases, Global Study Finds

04.14.2026

OnPoint Vision Expands Clinical Trial for Investigational Lens Targeting AMD Patients

Refractive

2024 Glaucoma Pipeline

Alcon and Lensar Call Off Merger

The Slit Lamp Reinvented for the 21st Century

More than 3 Million Bottles of Eye Drops Recalled

FDA Agrees to Review Phentolamine for Presbyopia

Trends in the Surgical Management of Presbyopia

04.14.2026

Smoking Doubles Risk of Major Eye Diseases, Global Study Finds

04.14.2026

Atia Vision Reports Positive 36-Month Results for Shape-Changing IOL

04.10.2026

Outdoor Time Linked to Lower Myopia Risk in Children in China, Large Study Finds

04.10.2026

Cloudbreak Pharma Launches New Website to Support US Expansion and Highlight Ophthalmic Pipeline

Stay Updated

Follow Eyewire News

Retina

Macular Hole

Clinical Applications of Microscope-Integrated OCT

OR Tech Update: 3D Displays, AI, and Robotics

Scleral Buckling

More than 3 Million Bottles of Eye Drops Recalled

Extended ILM Peeling for PVR

04.17.2026

Phase 1 Data for Vamikibart Published in JAMA Ophthalmology

04.17.2026

MeiraGTx Announces the Acquisition of XLRP Therapy From J&J

04.16.2026

Experimental Light-Activated Therapy Shows Early Promise for Retinitis Pigmentosa

04.15.2026

Curative Biotechnology Engages Sterling Pharmaceutical Services to Manufacture Clinical Supply for Ophthalmic Program

Glaucoma

Redefining Bleb Assessment Using Anterior Segment OCT

Placental Tissue to Scaffold the Conjunctiva

More than 3 Million Bottles of Eye Drops Recalled

Nonpenetrating Deep Sclerectomy: Lessons From the Learning Curve

Oral Sedation in Glaucoma Surgery

Seen & Heard

04.16.2026

Glaukos Highlights Sustainability Progress in 2025 Report

04.15.2026

Glaukos Secures Permanent J-Code for Epioxa

04.14.2026

Smoking Doubles Risk of Major Eye Diseases, Global Study Finds

04.10.2026

ForSight Robotics Performs World’s First Fully Robot-Assisted Cataract Surgery in a Human Patient

Featured Podcasts