The technological advancements in the cataract surgery field have been swift and very impressive over many years. The ophthalmic surgical community and industry have demonstrated a particularly remarkable ability to innovate, iterate and adopt new technologies, especially for cataract surgery. Approximately 3.9 million cases are performed annually in the U.S., with about 80 percent of this total covered by Medicare.

Three months after the Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp. decided to cut loose of its health care and services unit, industry giant Canon Inc. is likely to scoop it up for $6 billion.