Conexiant
Login
  • Corneal Physician
  • Glaucoma Physician
  • New Retinal Physician
  • Ophthalmology Management
  • Ophthalmic Professional
  • Presbyopia Physician
  • Retinal Physician
The Ophthalmologist
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Anterior Segment
    • Glaucoma
    • Retina

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Cataract
    • Cornea
    • Glaucoma
    • Neuro-ophthalmology
    • Oculoplastics
    • Pediatric
    • Retina
  • Business

    Business & Profession

    • Professional Development
    • Business and Entrepreneurship
    • Practice Management
    • Health Economics & Policy
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

Advertisement
The Ophthalmologist / Power List / 2025 / Honorees / Cataract & Refractive / Kendall E. Donaldson

Kendall E. Donaldson

President, American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (AECOS); Rodgers Clark Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology; Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology; Cornea/External Disease/Cataract/Refractive Surgery; Medical Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Plantation, Florida, USA

  • Profile

About Kendall E. Donaldson

What major trends in cataract and refractive surgery are catching your attention right now?

There are so many interesting trends in cataract and refractive surgery right now. I am very interested in making cataract surgery less “traumatic” to the patient, which includes advances toward improvements in fluidics and increasing efficiency to reduce the use of ultrasound during cataract surgery. I am also very interested in the trend toward bilateral same day surgery and in-office cataract suites, which will certainly be the way we deliver care in the future. I am carefully watching presbyopia correcting technology that will help us preserve quality of vision and reduce unwanted dysphotopsias, while increasing range of vision.

In the meantime, while technology is improving, there are promising simulators that will help us better predict who will fall victim to unwanted side effects of diffractive technology. Currently, diffractive technology provides us the greatest range of vision; however, while some patients are completely ecstatic with their outcome, a rare few will have incapacitating dysphotopsias. Better predictive models could help us advise our patients on lens choice prior to cataract surgery. There are also several new accommodating lens technologies on the horizon that are very exciting, and I look forward to introducing them to my patients over the next decade.

In what ways do you think AI and machine learning will impact cataract & refractive surgery?

I believe that artificial intelligence and machine learning is the future of cataract surgery, and ophthalmology, in general. We really have been using AI for many years to allow us to interpret test results and compare to normative data bases. We also know that AI is better than human rating systems with regard to evaluating several ophthalmic issues (grading conjunctival hyperemia, grading lens density, evaluating severity of AMD). I think that someday in the very near future, AI will analyze all of a patient’s pre-operative measurements for cataract surgery and combine this data with the patient’s lifestyle, occupation, and interests, and will advise us which lens will be the best choice for the patient at the time of cataract surgery.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would advise my younger self to always keep an open mind and be open to new opportunities, even if they are not aligned with my original planned path. We meet so many people and are exposed to new technologies and opportunities every day. You never know when one of these opportunities will lead you down a new – and potentially better – path. So, every interaction should be treated like a potential opportunity for future growth.

Explore More in Ophthalmology

Dive deeper into the world of Ophthalmology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

Newsletters

Receive the latest Ophthalmology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

False

Advertisement

False

Advertisement

False

Advertisement
The Ophthalmologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.

Disclaimer

The Ophthalmologist website is intended solely for the eyes of healthcare professionals. Please confirm below: