Recognition in the 10th annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program is reserved for solutions that do more than introduce incremental improvements – they address meaningful, persistent challenges across healthcare delivery. That context makes Alcon’s Adi digital ecosystem selection as “Best Practice Management Solution” particularly notable, as it reflects a focused effort to modernize an operationally complex area in ophthalmology: cataract surgery workflows.

While cataract procedures themselves have become highly refined over time, the systems that support them often remain fragmented. Many practices still rely on a patchwork of disconnected tools to manage scheduling, coordinate between clinics and surgery centers, track inventory, and handle purchasing. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies that extend beyond administrative inconvenience – it can slow down workflows, introduce time consuming complexities, and ultimately pull valuable attention away from patient care.

Alcon’s breakthrough digital ecosystem, Adi, was developed with a clear objective: to unify these operational layers into a more cohesive and connected system that can make standard processes more efficient. Rather than acting as a replacement, Adi functions as a connective layer that integrates key workflows, enabling greater visibility and coordination across the entire surgical experience.¹ Adi includes solutions for surgeons and their practices and is currently made up of several product modules, including Adi Inventory Manager, Adi Online Store, and Adi Clinic Connect.

A significant part of that impact comes from how the ecosystem approaches inventory management, an area that is both critical and often under-optimized in surgical environments. By providing real-time tracking of intraocular lenses (IOLs) from initial stock through surgical use, the Adi Inventory Manager module allows practices to anticipate demand more accurately, reduce manual tracking efforts, and ensure that the right products are available when needed. This level of visibility helps minimize last-minute disruptions and supports more predictable surgical scheduling.

At the same time, Adi simplifies procurement and supply chain interactions through an integrated online ordering experience via its Online Store module. Practices can place and manage orders, monitor fulfillment, and review billing history within a single interface, reducing the need to navigate multiple systems and improving overall operational efficiency. These improvements may appear incremental on the surface, but collectively they represent a meaningful shift in how practices manage day-to-day logistics.

Equally important is Adi’s role in strengthening coordination between clinics and surgery centers. Through its Clinic Connect module, Adi enables teams to create and update cases, share patient and procedural data in real time, and proactively identify missing information before it leads to delays. By aligning these touchpoints, Adi helps ensure that surgical teams can operate with confidence and consistency.

According to Steve Johansson, managing director of MedTech Breakthrough, this level of integration was a defining factor in Alcon’s recognition:

“Alcon’s recognition speaks to a deeper shift happening across surgical care, where efficiency is no longer just about speed, but about coordination. Cataract procedures demand precision at every step, yet many practices are still navigating fragmented systems that introduce unnecessary complexity. What stood out to our judges is how the Alcon Adi digital ecosystem has moved beyond standalone tools to deliver a connected operational ecosystem that aligns the clinic, the operating room, and the supply chain.¹ That level of integration doesn’t just streamline workflows, it creates the conditions for more consistent, confident surgical outcomes.^2,*”

For the Alcon team, the vision behind Adi has been centered on supporting clinicians in real-world settings, where workflows are dynamic and demands are constant. By designing a system that aligns with how practices already function and enabling surgical teams to focus on execution rather than coordination, Alcon has positioned Adi as a practical solution across the entire surgical experience.³

This recognition also reflects a broader shift taking place across healthcare, where the industry is moving away from standalone digital tools and toward more integrated platforms that connect data, processes, and stakeholders.⁴ As this transition continues, solutions that can unify fragmented workflows while maintaining flexibility will play an increasingly important role in shaping how care is delivered.

Ultimately, Alcon’s award underscores a simple but important principle: when operational complexity is reduced, clinical teams are better equipped to focus on what matters most, delivering high-quality patient care.^2,*

*When using a digital, connected surgical planning system.

References:

1. Alcon Data on File, 2025. REF-28521.
2. Jennings E, Hall B. A Retrospective Study of Visual Outcomes When Using a Cloud-Based Surgical Planning Platform and the Barrett Universal II Formula. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024 Sep 17;18:2605-2609. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S481797. PMID: 39309686; PMCID: PMC11416102.
3. Zavodni Z, Pan LC, Mok K, Cheng H, O’Boyle D. End-to-End Impact of a Cloud-Based Surgical Planning System on Efficiency in Cataract Surgery: A Time-and-Motion Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul 3;17:1885-1896. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S392669. PMID: 37425026; PMCID: PMC10327899.
4. Ebo, T. O., Clement David-Olawade, A., et al. (2025). Transforming healthcare delivery: A comprehensive review of digital integration, challenges, and best practices in integrated care systems. Digital Engineering, 6, 100056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dte.2025.100056.