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posterior chamber. Dick Kratz and I were able to convince people like Bob Drews, Brad Straatsma, Bill Vallotton, and others by inviting them to the courses to see the lens inserted into the eye and see the re- sults the next day. Later, by modify- ing the rigid J-loop into the more flexible modified J-loop configura- tion, which was my contribution, it became the most popular lens in the world for the next 10-15 years. This didn't increase adoption of pha- coemulsification until Tom Maz- zocco thought of making the optic foldable to go through a 3-mm inci- sion. In essence, Shearing made a major breakthrough in the accept- ance of intraocular lens implanta- tion as a routine procedure in cataract surgery by making the lens safer and easier to implant. William Simcoe, M.D.: I am sorry to learn that Steve Shearing passed away. He was a well-known and ef- fective surgeon and teacher. Kenneth C. Westfield, M.D. (prac- tice associate): We all know the Steve Shearing who developed the com- pressible posterior chamber IOL and taught phaco courses during the 70s and 80s, but I found a different Steve Shearing when I came to Las Vegas in 1980 to begin my practice. Soon after I opened my office, Steve came by to introduce himself and offer any assistance I might need. I worked for him part time until my own practice volume increased. He was a great mentor not only to me but to other ophthalmologists in Las Vegas. Whether in business or sur- gery he was always willing to share his vast knowledge and expertise with his colleagues. When I took over his practice in 1999 after his re- tirement, he would stop by periodi- cally to see how I was running things (probably never quite to his satisfaction). We would go to lunch and talk. However, I only made the mistake of letting Steve drive once. His driving was as famous as his IOL. The one thing I will remember most was his passion, passion for his work, his family, and his friends. He was intense. Stephen McLeod, M.D. (chair, UCSF Department of Ophthalmology): The Shearing Chair that he funded in the Department of Ophthalmol- ogy at UCSF reflected not only his loyalty to his alma mater, but in the description of the chair, was indica- tive of his priorities and principles. This chair was expected to support through the leadership of a vice chair of the department "the general betterment of the department, in- cluding cataract research, microsur- gical research and development, resident and pilot research projects, resident travel to scientific meetings, and aid to new faculty." This demonstrated the importance to Steve of advances in microsurgery and cataract technology to which he contributed so much, as well as mentorship through the support of resident activities and junior faculty. Michael V. Drake, M.D. (chancellor, University of California, Irvine): I learned of the Shearing Lens during my residency in the late 1970s. We had just begun using intraocular lenses almost exclusively in intra- capsular extractions with a variety of technically awkward anterior cham- ber or iris-fixated implants. The J- loop posterior chamber implant was simple, elegant, stable, and felt more anatomically correct. The lens was where it was meant to be rather than flopping around causing mischief. Two decades later, I had the honor of being named the first Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmol- ogy at UCSF. I met and talked with Steve on several occasions and en- joyed sending him periodic career updates. The best part of occupying the Shearing Chair was the opportu- nity it gave me to answer the ques- tion—hundreds of times during my travels over the years—"Who is Steven Shearing?" I would reply proudly, "Steven Shearing invented a lens that revolutionized cataract surgery and contributed to the im- provement of vision for literally mil- lions of people around the world." We will miss him. EW September 2011 EW CATARACT 41 For more information, visit fci-ophthalmics.com or call 800.932.4202. FDA Approved Pre-loaded to Save Time Between Surgeries Disposable Unit Eliminates Sterilization Procedure Available with Standard Morcher ® CTRs Only Choose Right or Left Insertion Single Use Pre-loaded Capsular Tension Ring Get There Faster with EYEJET CTR FCI_Faster_EW_Ad 8/6/09 9:54 AM Page 1

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