A Chat with Bernie Iliakis of CorneaGen - Summary - MDSpire
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A Chat with Bernie Iliakis of CorneaGen
Bernie Iliakis, president and CEO of CorneaGen, discusses the growing momentum of CTAK to treat keratoconus, how the company is meeting the growing demand for DMEK and DSAEK tissue processing, and more.
To discuss the advancements and milestones in corneal transplantation, particularly the adoption of Corneal Tissue Addition for Keratoplasty (CTAK), which represents a significant innovation in improving patient outcomes for keratoconus.
Key Findings:
CTAK can improve best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by 3 lines and up to 6 lines without correction, marking a significant advancement in treatment options.
CorneaGen has reached its 1,000th procedure in the U.S. as of September 2025, highlighting the growing adoption and trust in CTAK among surgeons.
The company has enhanced tissue processing quality and consistency through eye bank involvement, ensuring better outcomes for patients.
Interpretation:
The advancements in corneal transplantation, particularly through CTAK and other innovations, signify a major leap in improving patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.
Limitations:
The article does not provide specific data on long-term outcomes of CTAK.
Limited information on the international adoption rate of CTAK.
Lack of feedback from surgeons regarding the practical application and effectiveness of CTAK in clinical settings.
Conclusion:
CorneaGen continues to lead in corneal transplantation innovations, significantly impacting patient care and surgical practices.
In this year’s keynote speech, Craig Norman and Patrick Caroline took a walk down memory lane to examine the last 2 and a half decades of both the Global Specialty Lens Symposium and specialty contact lenses.
