Eyeworld

24 | EYEWORLD | SUMMER 2024 ASCRS NEWS Contact Thompson: vance.thompson@ vancethompsonvision.com 10% the highlights of surgical delivery," he said. "That's something that I'm excited that ASCRS is supporting in my year as president. Cataract surgeons are so busy, and for those who truly desire to grow in their premium implant use and understand the amazing practice potential, we want to give them the tools to empower them and their team to provide patients an A–Z journey in a way that fits into their busy Vance Thompson, MD, takes on the role of ASCRS President V ance Thompson, MD, became ASCRS President during the 2024 Annual Meeting, and he said he has looked forward to this new role. "Over the years, ASCRS has played such a large part in my education and networking with fellow ophthalmologists and industry and my in- terest in research and development," he said. "It was a 'pinch myself' moment when I was asked to be the chair of the Refractive Surgery Clinical Committee, and that led to being asked to be on the Executive Committee, and now comes my presidency." Dr. Thompson also previously served as Refractive Editor of EyeWorld. "I've learned a lot from Elizabeth Yeu and other past presidents and ASCRS leaders. I have also learned from Steve Speares, the talented and inspirational ASCRS Executive Director, and the dedicated staff at ASCRS who do the jobs that support all of us. They have taught me so much, and it has blown me away to see their 'behind the scenes' talent and impact to help us ophthalmologists help our patients and practic- es. I feel prepared, but I also feel a deep sense of responsibility," Dr. Thompson said. "It's a time in my career where I sincerely love and appreci- ate what we do as ophthalmologists." Dr. Thompson said that his passion is re- fractive surgery, but he likes to think of himself professionally as a physician first, an ophthal- mologist second, and a refractive surgeon third as he thinks about the patient as a whole and their total eye health. He considers his "if you were my family member" surgical or non-surgi- cal recommendation. When thinking about refractive surgery, Dr. Thompson said that the utilization of pres- byopia-correcting implants in the U.S. is still lower than patient interest as shown in many studies. He thinks that this relates to some of the challenges of delivering the business end of refractive cataract surgery, so he's making it one of his major goals during his presidency to address this. "One of my initiatives this year is to take this wonderful Annual Meeting education, which is a mix of 90% surgical/medical and 10% business, and flip that on its head and have a fall meeting that's 90% on the delivery and business of refractive cataract surgery and Dr. Thompson took over the role of ASCRS President from Elizabeth Yeu, MD, during the 2024 ASCRS Annual Meeting. Source: ASCRS by Ellen Stodola Editorial Co-Director "I tell fellow ophthalmologists that with reduced reimbursements, it helps the practice health if we're comfortable delivering advanced technologies that patients are willing to invest in." —Vance Thompson, MD

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