Letter from the Editor: Guarded Optimism - Scorecard - MDSpire

Letter from the Editor: Guarded Optimism

We’ve come out of a year that showed solid growth for many ASCs, and—in no small part due to the hard work of OOSS leadership—we will enjoy another increase in cataract surgical fee reimbursement this year.

  • By

  • Mark A. Kontos, MD, Co-Chief Medical Editor

  • March 1, 2026

  • 2 min

Share

Clinical Scorecard: Guarded Optimism

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionOphthalmic Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
Key MechanismsIncreased cataract surgical fee reimbursement, positive patient experience
Target PopulationPatients undergoing ophthalmic surgeries
Care SettingAmbulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

Key Highlights

  • Solid growth for ASCs observed in the past year
  • Increase in cataract surgical fee reimbursement
  • Positive patient experience ratings
  • Rising costs of supplies and staffing present challenges
  • Potential growth of office-based surgery may impact ASCs

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

      Monitoring & Follow-up

        Risks

        • Rising costs of doing business
        • Challenges in maintaining adequate staffing
        • Potential negative impact from growing office-based surgery
        • Possible introduction of costly oversight from pilot outcome audits

        Patient & Prescribing Data

        Patients undergoing cataract and refractive surgeries

        Advocacy and information support from OOSS and The Ophthalmic ASC

        Clinical Best Practices

        • Monitor financial impacts of rising operational costs
        • Enhance patient experience to maintain ASC competitiveness
        • Stay informed about potential changes in surgical oversight

        References

        Original Source(s)

        Letter from the Editor: Guarded Optimism

        • by Mark A. Kontos, MD, Co-Chief Medical Editor

        • March 1, 2026

        Related Content

        Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles: Pro Moves

        Thomas A. Oetting, MS, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Iowa, presented a tough case of dysphotopsia and how he tackled it.

        • April 11, 2026

        • 4 min
        From Empiricism to Simulation: A New Era in Cataract Surgery Planning

        How advances in physics-informed optical modeling will reshape how surgeons select intraocular lenses and plan refractive cataract outcomes in the near future

        Integrating EyeCare

        As demand for ophthalmic services surges, EyeCare Partners is building a physician-led network designed to meet rising clinical and research needs

        • April 20, 2026

        • 10 min