Alain Saad

About Alain Saad

Over the past 12 months, Alain Saad’s work has focused on translating innovation into meaningful improvements in surgical safety and efficiency across refractive, corneal, and cataract surgery, while also addressing organizational and economic challenges within ophthalmology.

In refractive surgery, Saad has worked on the development of a second-generation, AI-based method to predict postoperative vault following Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation in collaboration with Pierre Zeboulon. Unlike conventional ICL sizing formulas, this approach relies on direct analysis of raw anterior segment images. By introducing an image-based, probabilistic framework, this work aims to reduce uncertainty related to biometric measurements, improve reproducibility, and decrease the rate of ICL exchange due to sizing issues.

In corneal surgery, Saad has developed a comprehensive CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments) program. This work includes the design of a novel punch and dedicated instrumentation, as well as the development of a reproducible methodology using femtosecond laser technology to prepare CAIRS tissue. A key innovation enables a single donor cornea to be used to create multiple CAIRS segments, optimising tissue utilization and sustainability.

In cataract surgery, Saad is coordinating a national medico-economic study to support the introduction of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in France. Funded through a grant from the Ministry of Health, this project evaluates economic impact, organizational efficiency, and patient satisfaction, with the aim of informing policy decisions and modernizing cataract care pathways. In parallel, together with Guillaume Debellemaniere and Damien Gatinel, he has contributed to the release of the latest iteration of the PEARL-DGS intraocular lens power calculation formula.

Saad has also performed the first human surgeries using an operating microscope integrating real-time dynamic deep-field OCT (SeeLuma). Ongoing work focuses on optimizing ergonomics and clinical integration, with the aim of enhancing intraoperative decision-making and improving the surgeon–technology interface.