EyeCare Partners Announces New Refractive Cataract Anterior Segment Fellowship and Launch of ECP Foundation

ST. LOUIS–EyeCare Partners (ECP), the nation’s leading provider of clinically integrated eye care, continues to advance leadership and research at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting. The company is launching two new initiatives to elevate eye care – the Refractive Cataract Anterior Segment (RCAS) Fellowship and the ECP Foundation. The ASCRS Annual Meeting takes place April 5-8, 2024, in Boston.

“We are committed to improving patient outcomes, transforming patient experiences and supporting our providers to deliver the absolute best patient care,” said Chief Executive Officer Chris Throckmorton. “With more than 1,000 eye care providers, we have an unmatched wealth of data and expertise, and we look forward to engaging with this year’s ASCRS community.”

New Refractive Cataract Anterior Segment (RCAS) Fellowship

The Refractive Cataract Anterior Segment (RCAS) Fellowship program is designed to provide a fast-track path for new ophthalmologists. This one-year program provides residency graduates comprehensive training in the latest advancements in refractive cataract and anterior segment surgeries. Beginning in July 2025, the fellowship program will be offered at three ECP practice locations: Virginia Eye Consultants, Cincinnati Eye Institute and Oakland Ophthalmic Surgery.

“As a doctor-led network, EyeCare Partners recognizes the need for ophthalmologists to be well versed in the latest surgical interventions and treatments,” said Antonio Capone Jr., M.D., Chief Clinical Officer, who leads the EyeCare Partners Innovation Center. “RCAS was developed to accelerate skills development for new ophthalmologists, preparing surgeons to perform at the peak of their abilities upon completion of the year-long fellowship — a level that could take up to five years to achieve in the more traditional path of going directly into practice following residency.”

Launch of New ECP Foundation

The new ECP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports and furthers the mission of EyeCare Partners to enhance vision, advance eye care and improve lives. The ECP Foundation is driven by a three-fold purpose to: expand access to eye care services in underserved communities where we operate; enhance the education, knowledge, growth and development of eye care providers and professionals across the U.S.; and provide dedicated assistance to EyeCare Partners team members in times of need.

“We implement this mission through three programs: ECP GIVES, ECP EDUCATES and ECP CARES,” said Amy Jones, ECP Foundation President. “ECP GIVES enables ECP-affiliated practices to deliver routine eye care and free surgical care to individuals in need. ECP EDUCATES is the foundation’s commitment to advancing eye care nationwide through continuing education, scholarships and mentoring. ECP CARES is funded by employees to assist their team members in crisis.”

EyeCare Partners Physicians Presenting Research and Education at ASCRS

EyeCare Partners physicians are involved in more than 70 research presentations, learning sessions, and related events at the ASCRS Annual Meeting. For the past year, Elizabeth Yeu, M.D., Virginia Eye Consultants, has elevated eye care in her tenure as ASCRS President, advancing the organization’s mission of empowering anterior segment surgeons to improve the vision, outcomes and quality of life of patients through innovative approaches to education, advocacy and philanthropy.

Select research presented includes:

• “A Novel, Thermomechanical Treatment Compared to Thermal Pulsation in Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Randomized Control Trial.” – Dr. Gregg Berdy
• “Bilateral Mix-and-Match Implantation of EDOF and Trifocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Versus Bilateral Implantation of Trifocal IOLs” – Dr. Jae Kim
• “Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Visual Outcomes, Patient Satisfaction, and Spectacle Freedom with New Generation Intraocular Lenses” – Drs. Rachel Schneider, Neel Desai, Rob Weinstock
• “Perfluorohexyloctane Ophthalmic Solution for Dry Eye Disease: Efficacy Among Various Participant Subgroups in Pivotal Clinical Trials.” – Dr. John Sheppard
• “Longitudinal Evaluation of Disease Burden and Treatment Efficacy in Patients with Demodex Blepharitis: Early Registry Study Results” – Dr. Elizabeth Yeu
• “Turning Back the Clock with Science: Addressing Stiffness, Porosity, and Density of Tissue Using Laser Scleral Microoperation Therapy” – Dr. Elizabeth Yeu
• “Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation Combined with Cataract and PCIOL in Subject with Cornea Edema” – Dr. Elizabeth Yeu

For more information, visit the EyeCare Partners booth No. 1911 in the Exhibit Hall at ASCRS.

About EyeCare Partners

EyeCare Partners is the nation’s leading provider of clinically integrated eye care. Our national network of over 300 ophthalmologists and 700 optometrists provides a lifetime of care to our patients with a mission to enhance vision, advance eye care and improve lives. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, over 700 ECP-affiliated practice locations provide services that span the eye care continuum in 18 states and 30 markets. For more information, visit www.eyecare-partners.com and follow us on LinkedIn.