The Australian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS) will meet on the Sunshine Coast next month, with a program reflecting the increasing complexity of ophthalmic practice, from evolving intraocular lens (IOL) technologies to the growing importance of team-based care and workflow efficiency.

This year’s content will emphasise real-world outcomes, clinical decision making, and practical challenges for surgeons and their teams.

“AUSCRS has always been about sharing what actually works in practice,” said AUSCRS President Dr Jacqui Beltz. “In 2026, there is a clear focus on outcomes that matter to patients, not just visual acuity, but satisfaction, expectations, and quality of vision.”

Several sessions will explore presbyopia-correcting IOLs, including extended depth of focus (EDOF) technologies, accommodating lenses, and comparative analyses of emerging designs. Discussions will also address personalised lens selection, incorporating factors such as patient lifestyle, visual behaviour, and expectations.

“The shift towards personalised refractive outcomes is one of the most important changes in recent years,” said Dr Andrea Ang, Vice-President of AUSCRS. “Biometry remains critical, but it is no longer sufficient on its own. Understanding the patient in front of you is just as important as understanding the eye.”

Refractive laser technologies and keratorefractive procedures will also feature, with presentations examining advances in topography-guided treatments, nomogram development, and lenticule-based techniques.

Alongside clinical innovation, the 2026 meeting will highlight the non-technical factors that contribute to successful outcomes. Sessions focused on communication, expectation management, and practice growth will address what organisers describe as the ‘invisible skills’ required in modern surgical practice.

“Technical expertise is only one part of delivering a good outcome,” Dr Beltz said. “How patients are counselled, how teams communicate, and how practices operate all play a significant role in whether patients are ultimately satisfied.”

A support staff program will run alongside the doctors’ program to provide practical insights across clinical, administrative and business functions. Topics will include referral growth, workflow optimisation, artificial intelligence (AI) in practice management, and cybersecurity.

Organisers said the meeting will continue to offer interactive and engaging session formats, including case-based discussions, debates, and head-to-head comparisons of surgical approaches and technologies.

AUSCRS 2026 will be held at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort from 15–18 July.

Visit: auscrs.org.au/2026-conference-home.