Eyeworld

This month, we are excited to welcome Eric Donnenfeld, MD, as the new EyeWorld refractive surgery section editor. As the immediate past president of ASCRS, Eric certainly needs no introduction. Reading his comments below, you will see that Eric is very bullish on the immediate and long- term future of refractive surgery, and we look forward to the topics, technologies, and controversies that he will highlight through EyeWorld. At the same time, I would like to thank and applaud Kerry Solomon, MD, on behalf of EyeWorld and our readers for so ably serving as our inaugural refractive surgery section editor. Kerry is one of the foremost global opinion leaders in both cornea and lens-based refractive surgery and has done a stellar job directing EyeWorld's refractive surgery content for the past 3 years. Under his editorial guidance, our refractive surgery coverage has become more comprehensive and practical than ever, and his "Refractive editor's corner of the world" columns have presented many thought-provoking ideas. As an ASCRS Executive Committee member and future president, Kerry will continue to be one of the key leaders of our organization in the years ahead. David F. Chang, MD, chief medical editor R efractive surgery is at the very core of modern ophthalmology. Patients are demanding better outcomes as cataract and refractive surgery continue to meld into a single specialty. The American Society of Cataract & Refractive Sur- gery recognized the importance of refractive surgery decades ago when it added "refractive surgery" to its name, and EyeWorld has remained at the forefront of presenting new refractive techniques and technol- ogy, which is the lifeblood of our specialty, to our offices. I look forward to the opportu- nity to serve as refractive surgery editor of EyeWorld, but realize I have enormous shoes to fill in replacing the previous refractive editor, Kerry Solomon, MD, who is now treasurer of ASCRS and will become president of our organization in 2016. Kerry has been a staunch advocate and defender of refractive surgery. Kerry, on behalf of ASCRS, spoke brilliantly about LASIK at the FDA panel meet- ing in 2008 and has written the definitive article on the effect of LASIK on quality of life. The take- home message from his paper is that there are few procedures that have a more profound effect on patient sat- isfaction, self-confidence, or quality of life while at the same time being extraordinarily safe and effective. Under Kerry's leadership, the refrac- tive surgery section of EyeWorld has become mandatory reading for the comprehensive ophthalmologist interested in improving refractive outcomes. I hope to continue his tradition of excellence. Refractive surgery has never been safer or more effective; with that said, the question must be asked: Why are we not doing more refractive surgery here in the United States? Refractive surgery volume is exploding all over the world while we have been in a steady decline over the past decade here at home. The answer is complex and multidi- mensional. The decreased refractive surgery volume can be attributed to the poor economy over the past decade, reduced consumer confi- dence, and a few high profile law- suits, but overwhelmingly I believe a lack of understanding of the true benefits of refractive surgery by pa- tients and eyecare practioners has eroded patient confidence. Ophthal- mologists and optometrists need to be better informed to speak honestly and openly to our patients about risks and benefits. ASCRS as an organization and EyeWorld as a peri- odical are committed to expanding this dialogue. We have seen tremendous improvements in refractive surgery technology over the past decade, and the results of the past cannot be equated to the results in the present. The most important complications 10 years ago of poor flap formation, haze with PRK, ectasia, and glare and halo at night have been largely eliminated or dramatically reduced. The introduction of the femtosec- ond laser and better microkeratomes have dramatically improved the LASIK procedure, while mitomycin- C has reduced haze following PRK. The incidence of ectasia is declining with better diagnostic instruments to evaluate corneal pachymetry and curvature while improved flap formation has allowed us to leave thicker corneal beds. Additionally, the discovery of riboflavin UV EW REFRACTIVE SURGERY July 2014 43 by Eric Donnenfeld, MD New refractive surgery section editor I have enjoyed my time serving as refractive surgery editor of EyeWorld. I have enjoyed working with our chief medical editor, David Chang, MD, our editorial board, our refractive board, our guest authors, and our EyeWorld staff as we have tackled refractive topics for each EyeWorld issue. My role with EyeWorld has permitted me the opportunity to stay current with new developments and ask questions that often have no clear-cut answer. Most importantly, my goal has been to highlight the key issues that present to today's refractive and cataract/refractive surgeon and provide some clarity for ASCRS members on what the issues are and how best to approach them in their practice. This is an exciting field and it's been a great time to be practicing. It is with great pleasure that I pass on the refractive surgery editor duties to Eric Donnenfeld, MD. I can think of no better- qualified individual to assume this role. Eric is well known to all of us. He is a past president of ASCRS and is considered one of the most prominent thought leaders in the fields of cornea, cataract, and refractive sur- gery. He is incredibly well respected world- wide. Eric is someone I consider to be a bold leader, someone who is willing to put him- self out there in the face of controversy and speak with conviction, even if it's not the popular thing to do. He has demonstrated this time and time again. Eric was by my side when we spoke at the FDA panel meet- ing in 2008 in defense of LASIK; he was one of the first surgeons in the country to adopt and embrace femtosecond laser cataract surgery; and more recently, he has been a strong advocate on the topic of corneal col- lagen crosslinking. Under Eric's leadership, ASCRS has undertaken several important initiatives including the expansion of the ASCRS Foundation to include a domestic initiative where members will have an opportunity to give back to their local communities, and the creation of the ReACT Program, a new initiative where ASCRS works in collaboration with local thought leaders and academicians to educate young physicians and residents. Please join me in welcoming Eric to EyeWorld. I have no doubt that Eric will chal- lenge our thinking, broaden our knowledge base, and bring a little humor along the way. Kerry Solomon, MD, refractive surgery editor continued on page 44 Refractive editor's corner of the world Dr. Donnenfeld speaks at the Opening General Session of the 2014 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress. Dr. Donnenfeld is immediate past president of ASCRS. Source: EyeWorld 43-47 Refractive_EW July 2014-DL2_Layout 1 6/30/14 8:45 AM Page 43

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