In this installment of our 2025 Power List Perspectives series, Damien Gatinel, Head of the Refractive and Anterior Segment Surgery Department at the Rothschild Foundation, Paris, offers up his thoughts on the trends and technologies that are currently transforming the cataract and refractive surgery space.
What major trends in cataract and refractive surgery are catching your attention right now?
I’m consistently fascinated by the inventiveness of implant manufacturers who manage to conjure up clever semantic twists to position their lenses as singular, groundbreaking advancements. In reality, most of these so-called “innovations” are simply variations on the same core themes – whether refractive, diffractive, or hybrid optical systems. I find it both amusing and commendable how adept they’ve become at highlighting incremental enhancements, ensuring that our field is rarely short on new acronyms or exciting marketing buzzwords. That said, it does keep us on our toes, prompting us to carefully evaluate the genuine clinical benefits behind each “next big thing.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Embrace pluridisciplinarity. Collaborate with experts from diverse backgrounds – engineers, data scientists, optometrists, and healthcare managers – to enrich your perspective on patient care, research, and innovation. Consider developing an additional area of expertise (e.g., data analytics, business management, or biomedical engineering) to enhance your problem-solving capabilities.
Leverage online tools and resources. Stay current by participating in webinars, virtual conferences, and online forums. These platforms connect you with global experts, opening doors for knowledge exchange and innovative ideas.
Adopt generative AI into your practice. Use generative AI to streamline tasks such as literature reviews, data analysis, and document drafting. Always validate AI-generated insights with robust evidence and clinical judgment to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
Develop a critical mind. In a field driven by constant technological advances, cultivate healthy skepticism. Regularly question new methods or findings, verify sources, and assess study designs before integrating changes into your clinical practice.
Promote continuous learning and adaptability. Stay open to new techniques, interdisciplinary collaborations, and emerging technologies. Regularly update your skills and embrace lifelong learning through online courses, professional communities, and mentorship opportunities.
Maintain ethical and human-centered care. Technology can improve efficiency, but personal interaction remains at the heart of good medicine. Let compassion, empathy, and clear communication guide your practice, ensuring that patients feel heard and valued.
Aim to be the physician and mentor you’ve always wanted. A simple way to guide your decisions is to treat patients the way you would want to be treated, and to strive to be the mentor you wish you had. This mindset naturally leads to higher standards of care, ethical behavior, and professional excellence.
In what ways do you think artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will impact cataract and refractive surgery?
AI and machine learning stand to significantly reshape cataract and refractive surgery by improving both the precision and personalization of patient care. By analyzing extensive datasets, AI-driven systems can generate more accurate predictive models for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations, dramatically lowering the likelihood of postoperative refractive surprises. These technologies also excel at interpreting complex diagnostic data – such as corneal topography, tomography, and biometric measurements – allowing surgeons to diagnose and treat corneal pathologies with a level of speed and accuracy previously unattainable.
Furthermore, AI-powered algorithms will soon be pivotal in selecting the optimal surgical technique and lens type for each patient, enhancing outcomes through a tailored, individualized approach. During surgery, real-time guidance systems integrated with AI can offer immediate feedback and parameter adjustments based on tissue response and surgeon technique. Beyond the operating room, AI-driven postoperative monitoring and telemedicine platforms promise to expedite follow-up care, enabling earlier detection and intervention for complications – ultimately reducing the burden on patients and improving long-term results.
