CEO Update – September 2026

September 10, 2026

A Message from Bernie Iliakis, President & CEO of CorneaGen

As summer transitions to fall, I am encouraged by the progress we’re seeing across CorneaGen – from the continued adoption of CTAK and expansion into new markets to the inspiring work of our surgeon partners and nonprofit collaborators, the momentum across our organization reflects a shared commitment to advancing corneal care and restoring sight. Together, we are expanding access to innovative solutions while remaining grounded in the mission that drives everything we do.

Connecting with the Ophthalmic Community

This fall, the CorneaGen team will be at ESCRS in London at Booth G.122. We’re also proud that Dr. Brandon Ayres will present on CTAK, highlighting findings from a retrospective clinical study. The growing interest in CTAK from surgeons around the world is encouraging, and we look forward to meaningful conversations about how we can work together to bring this treatment to more patients globally.

Shortly thereafter, we’ll be at AAO in October at Booth #609. At AAO, we’ll host hands-on wet labs, CTAK presentations from Drs. Landreneau, Ramirez, and Lehman, and a happy hour gathering. We look forward to reconnecting with colleagues, hearing firsthand about their experiences, and sharing the progress we’re making together in corneal care.

If you’ll be attending either meeting, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello. To receive updates on CorneaGen conferences, events, and educational opportunities throughout the year, please reach out at events@corneagen.com.

CTAK Momentum Continues to Accelerate

CTAK continues to exceed expectations as surgeons around the world embrace a new approach to keratoconus management. With nearly 3,000 procedures performed to date, we are seeing growing clinical confidence, expanding international adoption, and increasing interest from the broader corneal community.

Internationally, we’ve seen more than 70 procedures performed outside the United States across Saudi Arabia, Canada, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. We are also preparing for upcoming launches in Italy, Spain, and Cyprus. While international adoption naturally progresses at a different pace due to country-specific regulatory requirements, we are encouraged by steady advancement and remain committed to building a strong foundation for long-term success in each market.

Education remains a critical part of expanding access to innovative care. This summer, William Wiley, MD, Katie Greiner, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO, and Suzanne Kirk, MD, hosted a well-attended webinar entitled Keratoconus Stages: When CTAK May Enter the Treatment Conversation. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaborative keratoconus management and demonstrated how coordinated care can help optimize outcomes for patients undergoing CTAK and other treatment options.

We were also proud to partner with Brandon Ayres, MD, who performed a live CTAK surgery during S.I.C.S.S.O 2026. The event allowed many attendees to observe CTAK for the first time and engage directly with Dr. Ayres. The strong interest and participation from the global corneal surgery community further underscores the growing excitement surrounding CTAK and its role in advancing keratoconus treatment.

Why We Do This Work

Recently, we received updates from two organizations we are proud to support, Cure Blindness Project and Orbis International, whose teams used CorneaGen-donated tissue to help restore vision for patients in Tanzania and Peru respectively. The need for such tissue remains significant. Today, for every one cornea available for transplantation, approximately 70 people around the world are waiting for a sight-restoring procedure.

What makes the work of these organizations especially meaningful is their commitment beyond individual surgeries. They are investing in sustainable healthcare systems, expanding local access to corneal tissue, and training eye care providers so that more patients can receive the treatment they need in their own communities.

Salma – Cornea recipient from Tanzania

One recipient, Salma Shemeeni Bilali from Tanzania, captured the life-changing impact of this work when she shared: “I thank God my vision is better. I can move, I can read, because I couldn’t read before. I couldn’t walk without a person holding my hand, so the progress is very good.”

Salma also emphasized the importance of improving access to corneal tissue for others in her community: “I urge the government to help increase the availability of these corneas because the demand is high from students, many children, the elderly, adults – they need them.”

Stories like Salma’s remind us why our work matters. Until these broader systemic challenges are addressed, CorneaGen will continue supporting organizations that are helping bring sight-restoring care to underserved communities around the world.

Looking Forward to a Strong Finish to the Year

As we head into the final quarter of the year, I remain optimistic about the opportunities ahead and grateful for the partnership of the surgeons, healthcare partners, nonprofit organizations, and team members who make our work possible. Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to improving patients’ lives.