EW NEWS & OPINION
June 2016
19
Somewhere between 40 and 50% of
the young eye surgeon respondents
did not know how to fix astigma-
tism from a corneal perspective. This
is a key step. If you don't know how
to take care of these patients so you
can manage the suboptimal out-
comes refractively, it's going to be a
a huge barrier to entry. Forget how
to implement and how to create the
actual protocols within the practice.
If you don't have the basic surgical,
clinical tools in your armamen-
tarium then you're never going
to become that refractive cataract
surgeon. We have to help build the
confidence there.
Dr. Al-Mohtaseb: I agree with what
Dr. Yeu is saying—we sometimes
take for granted some of the tech-
nology we have access to. We are
lucky to have multiple topographers
and other technologies to help guide
us in correcting astigmatism and
have multiple innovative things we
can do, but not everyone has access
to that. That is why skills transfer
sessions, wet labs, and webinars are
really important at meetings like
ASCRS.
Dr. Donnenfeld: Dr. Yeu, you're
coming from private practice, and
Dr. Al-Mohtaseb, you're coming
from an academic program. You're
both extraordinary ophthalmolo-
gists. You've risen through the ranks
of ASCRS already. If someone is
looking for leadership opportunities
at ASCRS, what advice would you
give them?
Dr. Yeu: If you have an interest in
becoming more active in an organi-
zation like ASCRS, you have to have
the desire and commitment and
willingness to follow through. So
first you need to make it known.
Dr. Al-Mohtaseb: I agree, if you
are interested, you should make it
known especially to your mentors
and people you have worked with.
Every project that you work on—
whether it's a committee, research,
speaking engagement, etc.—you
should always do your best, and
give it your all. Also, every person
you interact with, you should treat
them well—it all makes a difference
and people notice and will get you
involved.
Dr. Donnenfeld: Dr. Solomon, does
it make you proud as president of
ASCRS to have young ophthalmolo-
gists like this who are taking such an
active role? What are your thoughts
about the future of ASCRS?
Dr. Solomon: I think the future of
ASCRS has never looked brighter.
We're a society that historically is
nimble and progressive. We're a
society that has brought value to
the membership and to patients
worldwide. To see young physicians
get involved and be energized and
to share new ideas—it's the future
of ophthalmology and it's really
exciting.
Dr. Donnenfeld: I would like to
thank all of our participants for
spending time with us in the middle
of a busy meeting. I look forward to
seeing you all in Los Angeles for the
2017 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium &
Congress. EW
Contact information
Al-Mohtaseb: zaina@bcm.edu
Donnenfeld: ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com
Solomon:
Kerry.solomon@carolinaeyecare.com
Yeu: eyeulin@gmail.com
