Eyeworld

EW MEETING REPORTER 59 School of Medicine, Seattle, gave a talk on the frustrations ophthalmol- ogists and patients have with visual field testing. These exams can be an unreliable indicator of glaucoma progression because of poor patient fixation, high error rates, and short- and long-term fluctuation. Further- more, analysis of visual field exams is extremely subjective. During the surgical spotlight, Kuldev Singh, M.D., professor of ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, gave an overview of trabeculectomy, which is still considered the "gold stan- dard" in glaucoma surgery. He listed its pros, such as its excellence at low- ering intraocular pressure and ability to be later combined with a drainage device, and cons, such as bleb-re- lated complications and high in- stance of failure over time. He thinks trabeculectomy will remain the most common stand-alone procedure and first operation of choice for severe and high-risk glaucoma. This year's Stephen A. Obstbaum Honored Lecture was given by Reay Brown, M.D., Atlanta Ophthalmology Associates. Dr. Brown spoke about innovation, tak- ing audience members through a history of glaucoma treatment ad- vances and asking, "Why is innova- tion in glaucoma surgery so slow?" "One of the problems with glau- coma surgery is there's not enough idea exchange," he said. "We need organizations devoted to glaucoma surgery. "Glaucoma is becoming a surgi- cal disease," he continued. "Invest- ing in glaucoma surgery is worth it." In addition to exploring the needs of glaucoma surgeons and pa- tients, there were several talks given highlighting the eyecare needs of developing countries. Geoffrey Tabin, M.D., co-director, Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP), spoke about the eyecare needs of developing areas such as Africa, China, and In- donesia. Dr. Tabin and his HCP col- leagues have had significant success in eliminating cataract blindness in Nepal. Editors' note: None of the doctors have financial interests related to their com- ments. ASCRS Symposium & Congress officially opens The 37th ASCRS Symposium & Con- gress officially opened in San Diego on Saturday, March 26 with the well-attended Opening General Ses- sion. Program chair Roger F. Steinert, M.D., Irving H. Leopold professor, chair of ophthalmology, director, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Univer- sity of California, Irvine, issued a warm welcome. "Each year, we strive to give you the very best program in anterior segment surgery, and this year will prove to be no exception," Dr. Steinert said, highlighting the many special program offerings, including the Lecture on Science and Medicine featuring Siddhartha Mukherjee, M.D., discussing his book The Em- peror of All Maladies, A Biography of Cancer with Nick Mamalis, M.D., professor of ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery sym- posium on Femtosecond Laser Ap- plications in Anterior Segment Surgery; and the Clinical Carryout session. Richard Lindstrom, M.D., ad- junct professor emeritus, ophthal- mology department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, gave up- dates on the ASCRS Foundation mission, and ASCRS members an- nounced two new inductees into the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame— Frederick H. Verhoeff, M.D., the fa- ther of ophthalmic pathology in the United States, and Alfred Sommer, M.D., professor of ophthalmology, School of Medicine, and dean emeri- tus and professor of epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Balti- more. In his speech, outgoing presi- dent R. Doyle Stulting, M.D., Ph.D., Woolfson Eye Institute, At- lanta, told members his term saw the advent of the controversial FDA LASIK Quality of Life Study. "We are cautiously optimistic that this will produce the same excellent results that have been reported in many FDA clinical trials and post-approval studies." Dr. Stulting said that recent changes in the regulatory climate in the U.S. "are forcing new product development overseas and restrict- ing access of the American public to new technology that is supported by the bulk of published, scientific in- formation." Incoming president Edward J. Holland, M.D., professor of oph- thalmology, University of Cincin- nati, said that his yearlong tenure will focus on broadening involve- ment in the organization, especially among young surgeons. Three doctors were honored for their longtime commitment to ASCRS and ophthalmology— Douglas Koch, M.D., professor and the Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair in Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medi- cine, Houston; Howard Fine, M.D., clinical professor, Casey Eye Insti- tute, Oregon Health & Science Uni- versity, Portland; and Stephen Obstbaum, M.D., professor, oph- thalmology department, New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Holland said that ASCRS and EyeWorld are committed to being on the forefront of education for laser- assisted cataract surgery. He also en- couraged members to donate to eyePAC and meet with their state and federal legislators. Abhay R. Vasavada, F.R.C.S, medical and research director, Raghudeep Eye Clinic, Ahmedabad, India, was presented with the Binkhorst Medal and delivered the Binkhorst Lecture, "Pediatric Cataract: The Compelling Quest," which examined the problems asso- ciated with pediatric cataracts. Honored guests included Gavin S. Herbert, chairman emeritus, Aller- gan, Irvine, Calif., and Ulf Stenevi, M.D., professor and chair, ophthal- mology department, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Mr. Herbert founded Allergan in 1950, and Dr. Steveni is one of the world's leaders in stem-cell research and corneal re- pair. Ray Kurzweil, author, inventor, and futurist, was the keynote speaker. He is involved in fields such as optical character recognition, text-to-speech synthesis, speech recognition technology, and elec- tronic keyboard instruments, and is the author of several books on health, artificial intelligence, trans- humanism, the technological singu- larity, and futurism. ASOA celebrates 25 years This year marks 25 years that ASOA has been in existence and member- ship has never been better, said out- going ASOA president Vonda Syler, C.O.E. In 2009, there were 1,965 members; now membership is at 2,402. Lisa Gangi, C.O.E., ASOA's new president, thanked Ms. Syler for her previous work and presented her with a plaque to commemorate the experience. R. Doyle Stulting, M.D., Woolf- son Eye Institute, Atlanta, said, "The intimacy of our working relation- ship and extraordinary importance of ASOA to the ASCRS doctors can- not be understated." The past few years have seen a continued reduction in the demands for elective procedures, the imple- mentation of a new healthcare re- form law, and uncertainty in what the future holds, he said. "It makes the job of an administrator even more important." As part of the 25th anniversary, each past president was presented with an engraved crystal gavel. Lucy Santiago, C.O.E., founder of ASOA May 2011 continued on page 60

• Cover