Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION March 2015 33 California FDA from carrying out its plans. That injunction holds to this day. It still wasn't over. Since the U.S. FDA was behind the California ac- tion, they decided they had to now get into it with us. AIOIS pulled all the influence we had to see that any future FDA device legislation did not prevent IOL use. There were congres- sional hearings, and Ralph Nader's group was out to stop IOLs as a health hazard, and they really be- lieved it was. They had Sidney Wolf, MD, testifying to how bad they were. Norman engineered Richard Kratz, MD, to send his bilateral IOL patient actor Robert Young ("Dr. Marcus Welby") to testify as to how the IOLs literally saved his career. That did it. President Gerald Ford signed the Medical Device Act with a provision that while IOLs were being put under phase 1 clinical studies, they would still be available to all U.S. surgeons. That is how all IOL surgeons became investigators for the FDA. Interestingly the first IOL to be approved was the Choyce Mark VIII anterior chamber lens. On a humorous note, when I suggested we establish the Binkhorst Medal Lecture, Norman was totally opposed at the beginning but finally relented. After it was awarded to Cornelius Binkhorst, MD, and Jan Worst, MD, the first American to be elected to receive it was Norman Jaffe. When he received it, he stated, "This is the proudest moment in my medical career." I had the greatest respect for this unique man, and I know that without him, things would not have turned out as they have. What a privilege to have worked so closely with him. Rest in great peace, my friend. Contact information Hoffer: KHofferMD@aol.com Remembrances of Norman S. Jaffe, MD Norman was a special "professional friend" of mine starting a long time ago when we were panelists together at the annual meetings of the Welsh Cataract Congress in the 1970s, at which time phacoemulsification was the hot topic that split traditional- ists from modernists, ethicists from clairvoyants. No matter what, Dr. Kelman's operation became the new way to go, and internecine disputes often came down to academics versus private practitioners. I was in the former group and on the fence in the earliest meetings but soon an avid phaco enthusiast. Norm was an important voice in that mixture of argument enthusiasts, a man of considerable judgment with respect from both sides. No question he was both a standout and a valuable smoother of a wake churned by phacoemulsification's outspoken sharks. It is soothing now to remem- ber Norm for his presence, his strong voice, his warm hand. Another good friend has beaten me to the exit, but he cannot slip away without celebrating what he stood for in this wonderful, always-evolving profession. –David Paton, MD Norman was a very high energy per- son who was always on the leading edge of ophthalmology. He was as excellent in sports as teaching the young doctors their craft. He was very comfortable at social events, and his lectures were well attended. He will be missed. –Bob Sinskey, MD Norman Jaffe will always be remem- bered for his leadership in promot- ing intraocular lens implantation at a time when there was a prevailing negative attitude toward this pro- cedure. His efforts lent credibility to the procedure we perform today. I'd like to share with you some of my recollections of this generous, caring person. I met Norman when I was a resident in New York and my research interest was centered on methods to reduce vitreous volume. There were 2 people whose opinions I sought when I needed input on the direction my work was taking. One was Endre Balazs, who had written a chapter on the vitreous in the text- book The Rabbit in Eye Research, and the other was Norman Jaffe, who had written The Vitreous in Clinical Ophthalmology. Norman's insights were extremely valuable, and I was delighted when his son Gary spent a summer assisting me on these projects. Later, when I was interested in using oral NSAIDs to prevent cystoid macular edema, Norman's counsel and suggestions were extremely prescient in helping me conduct this difficult study. Needless to say, our current use of topical NSAIDs, in appropriate situations, validated this earlier work. Through my career he was supportive of my activi- ties in the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society and its evolution to the American Society of Cata- ract & Refractive Surgery, especially during my tenure as the editor of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. He was instrumental in nominating and then supporting my nomination to serve as president of the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club. Most importantly, I knew I could rely on him to provide thoughtful, unbiased advice. In 1997, as president of the American Academy of Ophthal- mology, I had the opportunity to select the Guests of Honor. During my professional career, the advance that most influenced the lives of our patients was the introduction of the intraocular lens to successfully correct the aphakic state. To me, Norman Jaffe was the person prin- cipally associated with developing a unified strategy that validated the procedure and through the strength of his character, won its acceptance by many of our formerly skeptical colleagues. The Academy honored Norman Jaffe—a significant recogni- tion for an exceptional individual. –Stephen A. Obstbaum, MD A great teacher, organizer, and leader of the ASCRS! Also a prominent figure as an excellent ambassador for foreign countries, including Japan. I miss Norman from the bottom of my heart. Since my very first day of activities in ASCRS, he stayed by my side, took care of me, and educated me. I will pray for Norman and for his family. –Kensaku Miyake, MD Norman Jaffe, MD, was a major con- tributor to the approval of intraocu- lar lens implants by the FDA and the acceptance of these devices by the community of ophthalmic surgeons. Of course, the major beneficiaries were patients, whose lives were enormously enhanced. Eye surgeons were also beneficiaries because they had more to offer their patients and that gave them greater pleasure from their professional lives. The first time I met Norm Jaffe, he motioned to an empty seat next to him in the crowded lunch area of an ASCRS meeting at the Century Plaza. He was very friendly, asked a lot about me personally and talked to me like a colleague. I was not only impressed but a little intimidat- ed as well. During the next several decades, I had a lot of contact with Norm, and he was always inter- esting and encouraging. A part of Norm's legacy, of course, is that he was a mentor and a role model for a number of practitioners who wanted to combine patient care with clinical research and teaching, as he did. I will always feel privileged to have had Norm Jaffe as part of my life and as a part of my career. –I. Howard Fine, MD I am deeply saddened by the loss of Norman—a dear friend and pro- fessor. For many good years since 1980, I've had the privilege to meet up with him and Ann in Rio and in Miami and to take part in his cours- es. His passions for phaco and IOLs have left a definite mark on me. His outstanding books have been a reference and guidance for so many of us. The world of ophthalmology has lost one of its icons, someone who certainly had a major impact on me and on an entire generation. I am sure he is present in each and every surgery we perform. Most importantly, he will always be remembered for the very special person he was, a true gentleman. My heart goes out to the family during this time of loss. –Miguel Padilha, MD, ECBC continued on page 36

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