Eyeworld

26 | EYEWORLD | WINTER 2024 ASCRS NEWS His delightful sense of humor was well known, Mrs. Fine said. A few of his more fre- quent "witticisms" were: 1) If you're 5'6" and wear glasses, you have to try harder. 2) If I felt any better, I'd be twins (after someone asked him how he was doing that day). 3) I never met a calorie I didn't like. 4) I only weigh 110 pounds. The rest is ice cream. (Ice cream was his favorite food.) 'Truly world renowned' Richard Hoffman, MD I had the pleasure of working with Howard for more than 30 years and was always impressed with his work ethic, ingenuity, and approach- ability. Howard was instrumental in improving the power modulation settings that we currently take for granted on our phacoemulsification machines. He described cortical cleaving hy- drodissection for improved cortex removal, and most importantly, he was the innovator of clear corneal cataract incisions. Howard was a caring, ethical, hard-working surgeon who was loved by his staff, patients, and fellow ophthalmologists around the world. He had a tremendous wit and enjoyed teaching surgeons to perform better cataract surgery. He made me a better surgeon, a better clini- cian, a better parent, a better public speaker, and a much better and happier human being. Howard was loved by everyone and loved everyone—our staff, our patients; worldwide ophthalmologists respected and loved Howard Fine. He was responsible for advancing the field of ophthalmology throughout the world. He is truly world-renowned. One of my favor- ite memories of Howie was the time I had the opportunity to have dinner out with him and Vicky at a steakhouse in Boston at an ASCRS Annual Meeting. When my ribeye came out, it was fairly big but nothing in comparison to the porterhouse that Howie ordered. His steak was larger than my head, hanging over the edge of a large serving plate and at least 2–3 inches thick. It was humongous. I told him there was no way he was going to be able to finish it. But he proved me wrong, stating that it was the ASCRS remembers I. Howard Fine, MD I. Howard Fine, MD, a past president of ASCRS and innovator of surgical in- struments and procedures, died August 29, 2024, at 88 years old. Dr. Fine served as president of ASCRS from 2001–2002 and was inducted into the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame in 2018. He was integral in founding the ASCRS Foundation. He also served as president of the Intraocular Implant Club from 2008–2010. Prior to retirement, Dr. Fine practiced at Drs. Fine, Hoffman, and Sims Ophthalmolo- gists in Eugene, Oregon. He is credited with designing dozens of instruments, implants, and surgical procedures, including cortical cleaving hydrodissection, a temporal approach to cata- ract surgery, and the self-sealing clear corneal incision. Dr. Fine received his undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, then attended Boston University Medical Center for medical school and residency. In addition to more than 50 years in private practice, in his career Dr. Fine served as a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Oregon Health & Science University and was co-founder of the Oregon Eye Surgery Center. Dr. Fine has authored hundreds of peer-re- viewed articles, written book chapters, and ed- ited textbooks. In addition, he delivered count- less lectures and received numerous awards, including the ASCRS Cornelius D. Binkhorst, MD, Lecture and Medal in 2010 and the ASCRS Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator's Lecture and Medal in 1994. Vicky Fine shared a few thoughts about her late husband with EyeWorld that showcase who he was as a physician and a person. She said that he loved teaching and trying to improve techniques, instrumentation, and technology, all with the desire to improve surgical results for patients. Mrs. Fine mentioned what Dr. Fine told ophthalmologist Elizabeth Davis, MD, his goddaughter: "Lizzie, you treat every patient as if they are the only patient of the day because for them, this is the only patient of the day." In retirement, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, working out, watching movies, and spending time at the beach with his family.

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