In ophthalmology, we stand at an inflection point. Never before have we had access to such a wide array of diagnostic tools, surgical technologies, and premium IOLs, but with more options comes increased complexity. Patients expect safer, faster outcomes, and we surgeons face growing pressure to deliver results efficiently despite limited time, resources, and reimbursement. This is why clear Lenspeak1 about advanced-technology IOLs is essential. By describing the technology in simple, performance-based terms we can help patients understand how lenses function and what they can realistically expect.
The path forward is not necessarily more technologies but smarter integration. Streamlining begins with a clarity of purpose. We must identify technologies that genuinely enhance surgical outcomes and eliminate redundancy. For cataract planning, this means using biometry, topography, and tomography in ways that reduce friction, with data flowing seamlessly into IOL calculation platforms. For us, this means clean interfaces, fewer clicks, and confidence that planning is robust without being overengineered.
The same philosophy applies to the OR. Whether office-based surgery or combined cataract and glaucoma procedures, efficiency increases when technology is configured around us—not the other way around. True innovation is less about adding features and more about designing workflows that free us to focus on the patient. Ultimately, doing more with less is about refining tools and systems until only the essentials remain. In this simplicity lies the real sophistication of modern eye surgery: outcomes that are reproducible, patient-centered, and achieved with a light technological footprint.
Going forward, we surgeons and our industry partners must resist the allure of complexity and instead embrace technologies that offer simplification, connection, and empowerment. Success will not only allow us to do more with less but also to deliver better vision with greater clarity for all. As I often say, our use of Lenspeak is as important as the technology itself. Patients understand terms such as increased range of focus and full range of focus far better than more complex terminology.
Erik L. Mertens, MD, FEBO, FWCRS | Chief Medical Editor
Physician CEO, Medipolis-Antwerp Private Clinic, Antwerp, Belgium
1. Daya SM. Let’s speak Lenspeak. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today Europe. February 2021. Accessed September 23, 2025.
https://crstodayeurope.com/articles/feb-2021/lets-speak-lenspeak
