Image by Martin Lutze from PixabayAs Alabama’s aging population drives up demand for vision care, ophthalmology group TriaVision is expanding its clinical model by opening its first ambulatory surgery center (ASC).
With a Certificate of Need (CON) granted in May 2025, the Birmingham-based eye care group is preparing to launch a two-operating-room ASC in Jefferson County, an effort aimed at delivering faster, more cost-effective cataract and glaucoma surgeries while maintaining a tightly integrated care model with its existing facilities, Amanda Moorefield, vice president of operations at TriaVision, told ASC News.
“There’s a huge need in the state for cataract surgery,” Moorefield said. “And frankly, hospitals just don’t meet the efficiency needs to handle that kind of volume.”
TriaVision currently operates 11 eye care clinics across central Alabama, but this will be its first dedicated surgery center.
The decision to move into the ASC space was driven in large part by the projected increase in cataract cases, Moorefield said.
“In 2018, there were 151,000 cataract diagnoses just in Medicare patients in Alabama,” Moorefield said. “By 2030, that number is expected to grow to 220,000. That’s a huge jump, and we need the infrastructure to handle it.”
The new facility is slated to open in early 2026. It will be operated under TriaVision’s sub-company, Colonnade Surgical Partners, Moorefield said.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “We’re excited to see where it takes us and our patients.”
Co-located care
What sets TriaVision’s model apart is the integration of the ASC and clinic under one roof, Moorefield said.
The site will host not just surgical services but also routine eye exams, pre-op visits and post-op care, all in the same building.
“That level of efficiency is really what sets us apart,” she said. “Patients can come in for their annual eye exam, get referred to a surgeon, and have their surgery all in one place. And since it’s all internal, the surgeon has full access to the patient’s history from their optometrist. Nothing gets missed.”
That continuity also allows for more seamless care coordination, especially when treating patients with co-occurring conditions like glaucoma.
TriaVision is the largest glaucoma group in the state, with five board-certified glaucoma surgeons on staff.
“There are procedures where we can treat cataracts and glaucoma at the same time, which we’ll be doing in the ASC,” Moorefield said. “It’s more efficient for the patient and reduces the need for separate surgeries.”
Strategic staffing
The new ASC will initially be staffed entirely by TriaVision’s own surgeons and clinical personnel, Moorefield said.
“We have 11 ophthalmologists and five optometrists,” she said. “That gives us a strong base to launch from. Initially, our own providers will perform surgeries, but eventually we plan to open the facility to other groups as well.”
In addition to physicians, TriaVision employs nearly 50 ophthalmic technicians, several of whom are certified to assist in surgery.
A unique twist on traditional staffing will further enhance the patient experience, Moorefield said, is that some of the same scribes who assist the surgeon in the clinic will also scrub into surgery.
“That’s something new we’re going to try,” she said. “Having a familiar face in the OR, someone who already knows the patient’s case, can improve comfort and communication. Our surgeons are excited about it because it creates continuity in a way that doesn’t happen in a hospital setting.”
Navigating the CON process
While Alabama’s CON requirements can vary by region, Moorefield said the process was relatively smooth thanks to strong support from consultants and the community.
“It was a lot of work pulling together the projections and documentation, but the framework provided by our consulting group made it very manageable,” she said. “We also received an incredible amount of support from other eye care providers in the area, who submitted letters of endorsement for the project.”
The application was approved by the State Health Planning and Development Agency in May, and TriaVision has already solicited construction bids. The build is expected to take between five and eight months, positioning the center to open its doors in early 2026.
Though this is TriaVision’s first ASC, Moorefield said it will not be the last.
The group plans to open additional facilities based on patient need and geographic gaps in care.
“We’re looking at two main factors: underserved areas and our existing patient base,” Moorefield said. “If we have tens of thousands of patients in a specific county, it makes sense to bring surgical services closer to them.”
Moorefield cited data from JAMA Ophthalmology that found more than 70% of cataract surgeries are performed in ASCs nationwide, a figure said is only increasing. Until now, every surgeon at TriaVision has performed cataracts in hospitals, a setting Moorefield said is less ideal in terms of both cost and efficiency.
“This shift is going to be a game-changer for our patients,” she said. “It’s less expensive, more efficient, and offers a better experience overall. We truly believe we’re filling a critical gap in the state’s vision care infrastructure.”
