Francesco Carones

About Francesco Carones

Chairman and Founder, Advalia Vision, Milan, Italy

What industry trends are catching your attention right now?

I see the big companies in the field of ophthalmology paying more and more attention to two fundamental elements: eco-sustainability and patient education. Eco-sustainability has become a global responsibility, and therefore each of us must take responsibility for it. At the level of large industries, this responsibility is even greater. The operating theaters are now filled with waste that, for safety reasons, are not very recyclable and expensive to dispose of. I see positively the trend of industry in researching recyclable materials and encouraging environmentally sustainable recycling routes.

For patient education, the issue has become global thanks to the advent of the digital world, social media, and the internet. Nowadays it is easy for the patient to find information online, but it is often controversial or distorted. Large companies are increasingly investing in patient education, either directly or through ophthalmologists. I believe that it is extremely positive to reach patients with correct information that can help them make appropriate choices for solutions to their problems.