Eyeworld

4 | EYEWORLD | WINTER 2024 ASCRS NEWS by Sumit "Sam" Garg, MD Chief Medical Editor O phthalmology has undergone trans- formative advance- ments over the past few decades, improving diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. As ante- rior segment surgeons, we have been part of the tremendous advancement in cataract surgery over the past 50+ years. Many of those who have been instrumental in these advancements are no longer with us, but it is our job to continue to innovate to offer better and safer treatments for our patients. Since our last issue of EyeWorld, our community has lost a few notable innovators in cataract surgery: Howard Fine, MD, Michael Colvard, MD, and Luther Fry, MD. Dr. Fine was instrumental in innovating IOL and micro-invasive cataract sur- gery, Dr. Colvard advanced techniques for IOL implantation and enhanced surgical precision and safety, and Dr. Fry was an early adopter of phaco and was a champion in advocating for quality eyecare in rural areas. These three cer- tainly embody what ASCRS stands for: educa- tion, innovation, philanthropy, and advocacy. This issue takes a look at established treat- ments and techniques, highlighting advance- ments and updates. Our editorial team has put together another informative issue. We cover topics including talking to patients about IOL options, a contemporary look at RLE, the impact of AI on refractive surgery, the ever-expand- ing options we have for our dry eye patients, cultured endothelial cells, modern gonioscopy, educating patients about their glaucoma diagno- sis, and several other interesting topics. By building on our past advancements, ophthalmology continues to push the limits, offering hope for a future where sight loss could be significantly reduced or even eradicated. An important part of this is philanthropic support of organizations like the ASCRS Foundation. As the end of the year approaches, I encourage you to consider contributions to support research, education, and outreach initiatives that improve patient care. In addition, donations to qualified organizations like the ASCRS Foundation are tax deductible, allowing supporters to reduce their taxable income. These deductions can be especially valuable early in a medical career, as they create opportunities for financial plan- ning and maximizing resources. This incentive encourages ongoing charitable contributions and underscores the importance of investing in causes like addressing preventable blindness. Along with year-end charitable giving, one way that my family has pursued our philanthropic goals is to open a donor advised fund (DAF). DAFs allow for an immediate tax benefit with the potential to allow the donated funds to grow over time with distributions to qualified charities at a future date. End-of-year giving allows individuals to finish the year with a sense of fulfillment, know- ing they've contributed to causes that matter. Philanthropy during this time can inspire others in professional networks to join in, amplify- ing the impact of donations. With thoughtful planning, end-of-year philanthropy can be both financially rewarding and deeply gratifying, closing out the year with purpose and positive change. So, if it's not obvious, consider donat- ing to the ASCRS Foundation. Lastly, this is a friendly reminder that registration is open for the 2025 ASCRS Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Executive Director Steve Speares and the ASCRS staff are gearing up for an incredible meeting and celebration. I look forward to seeing you all there! As always, if you have any suggestions for topics, improvements, etc., please feel free to reach out to me at gargs@uci.edu. Transformative advancements in ophthalmology Many of those who have been instrumental in these advancements are no longer with us, but it is our job to continue to innovate to offer better and safer treatments for our patients.

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