Key Takeaways

  • Lumenis introduced a field guide at AAO 2026 to support ocular surface disease screening and management in cataract and refractive surgery patients

  • Research cited in the guide found abnormal tear test results in 80% of cataract surgery candidates, including 85% of asymptomatic patients

  • The resource includes clinical screening tools, treatment guidance, and strategies for incorporating ocular surface care into surgical workflows

Lumenis has introduced a new clinical field guide designed to help cataract and refractive surgeons identify and manage ocular surface disease (OSD), a potential contributor to patient dissatisfaction despite achieving 20/20 visual acuity.

The guide, "Preventing 20/Unhappy: A Field Guide for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons," was unveiled during the 2026 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting in New Orleans.

The resource addresses ocular surface evaluation throughout the surgical journey, emphasizing preoperative screening, individualized treatment planning, and postoperative management.

The guide is organized into 2 sections. "The Read" focuses on clinical considerations, including screening, treatment selection, patient communication, and postoperative care. "The Rollout" provides strategies for integrating ocular surface care into clinical workflows, including staff training and practice implementation.

Developed with insights from 5 cataract and refractive surgeons—Christopher Starr, MD, FACS; Preeya Gupta, MD; Brett Levinson, MD; Shareen Greenbaum, MD; and Eric Gershenbaum, MD—the guide incorporates findings from 6 studies and includes 6 practical clinical tools.

Research highlighted in the guide found that 80% of patients undergoing cataract surgery evaluation had at least 1 abnormal tear test. Among asymptomatic patients, 85% demonstrated at least 1 abnormal result, underscoring the limitations of symptom-based screening alone.

"If you're using symptoms to make a diagnosis, you might miss ocular surface disease because these patients often aren't complaining," Dr. Starr said.

The guide includes a 30-second ocular surface assessment intended to facilitate routine screening in busy surgical practices.

Additional content addresses treatment selection based on disease severity and determining surgical readiness. Among the treatment options discussed is OptiLight, an intense pulsed light device FDA-approved for managing dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.

The field guide is available to read or download through Lumenis.