Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION July 2015 17 3360 Scherer Drive, Suite B, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 800-637-4346 • Tel: 727-209-2244 • Fax: 727-341-8123 Email: Info@RheinMedical.com • Website: www.RheinMedical.com *Developed In Coordination With Jared R. Younger, M.D. Special Acknowledgement To John R. Shepherd, M.D. Angleo Con il Cartiglio, Bernini Younger* 360 Degree Capsule Polisher ACBF 1359 Rev.A Product #08-13230 • Special Angulated Shaft Allows Quick & Easy Polishing Of Both The Anterior And Posterior Capsules With One Instrument. • Designed To Polish Both The AC & PC The Full 360 Degrees. • The Unique Angulation Eliminates The Need For Using Two Instruments, Or Using One Instrument But Having To Exit And Enter Through A Side Port Incision To Complete The Polishing. • Reusable, Autoclaveable, Made In The USA, And Available For A 30-Day Surgical Evaluation Without Obligation. Call 727-209-2244 For More Information, Or Scan For Video P o s t e r i or V i e w A nt e ri or V i e w build a winery in the Napa Val- ley in the 1980s; it is among the most beautiful and well kept in the region. Today the Sinskey label is recognized on fine wine lists around the globe; his son, Rob, manages the family winery. Bob was also remarkably gen- erous with time as a teacher and mentor, as his many fellows will at- test. From a personal standpoint, he freely shared greatly valued advice (and good wine) with me. He and his lovely wife Loraine made major contributions to develop the Robert M. Sinskey Eye Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Bob's long-term goal of establishing a permanent eye insti- tute dedicated to cataract in Ethiopia was realized a few years ago in con- junction with local medical person- nel and the ASCRS Foundation. Bob was past president of ASCRS and was elected to the ASCRS Hall of Fame. –Samuel Masket, MD Dr. Sinskey selected one fellow from around the world annually. Fellowship with him was seeing 100 patients and 10 surgeries in the same day. My dream came true when Dr. Sinskey chose me. The first day I was in the OR at 7:15 a.m. He greeted me by saying "Good afternoon." The second day I entered at 7:10 a.m. and he squirted balanced salt solu- tion on me and said "This will save you time in the shower." Clueless, I was late the third day, when he invited me for lunch. My joy ended when he asked, "How can I get you to the OR on time?" He spoke his mind, always. My first weekend in the U.S., he invited me to a bike ride at Venice Beach. After 7 miles, as I was gasping for air, I asked him, "Is someone going to pick us up?" He said, "Let's finish 13 miles and then return 13 more miles on our bikes." When we reached his home, he swam laps while I hid in his Jacuzzi. His pas- sion for exercise kept him fit even at 90. Dr. Sinskey took me to Jimmy Stewart's birthday party. I was ex- cited when he told me that Ronald Regan would be there. I accidentally bumped into an elderly gentleman. Dr. Sinskey told me quietly that I had just injured Moses (Charlton Heston). I could not be sorry that I hit him or happy that I touched him. Dr. Sinskey would not be angry at any mistakes one made; he just kindly improved us. Dr. Sinskey did phaco before the capsulorhexis was invented. The Sinskey J loop IOL became one of the most used lenses in the world, and the most used eye surgery in- strument, the Sinskey hook, had no patent, as he felt it was too simple an invention. He loved to teach. He travelled the world. He grew exotic fruits. He loved his dogs and Loraine. In my 30-year association with him, I saw his wedding, his ASCRS presiden- cy, his Hall of Fame induction, his Ethiopia project, nystagmus surgery, and his final four weekends. He expressed with courage, inspired by example, and constantly stimulated your mind. This was one man that changed many lives. –Pranav Amin, MD Bob Sinskey was a true pioneer in small incision cataract surgery and lens implantation. He helped propel the acceptance of phaco by develop- ing novel and safer techniques at a time when the world did not readily accept this surgery. He shared this knowledge by holding courses and traveling the world to share his discoveries. Bob was at the forefront of lens implantation at a time when its safe- ty was questioned. His Sinskey mod- ified J loop lens enjoyed immense popularity for a decade. Probably one of the most widely used cataract surgical instruments today is the Sinskey hook. It was originally de- veloped for one maneuver—to rotate a posterior chamber lens at a time when they had 4 positioning holes specifically designed to aid rotation. Many surgeons quickly discovered it could be used for multiple purposes during cataract and lens implant surgery. Bob wanted to bring modern eye surgery to underdeveloped areas. He financially supported the devel- opment of an eye hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which became known as the Sinskey Eye Institute. He was so highly thought of that he was elected president of ASCRS and ultimately to its Hall of Fame. The world mourns the loss of a Hall of Fame surgeon. I mourn the loss of a wonderful friend. –Jack Dodick, MD

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