EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/76185
July 2012 EWINTERNATIONAL 49 would not be stable. So the govern- ment looks at this as a priority." Another eyecare-related oppor- tunity in China involves building joint ventures in the hospital sector. "I did that," Dr. Wang said. "I worked with four partners in China. We now own 40 hospitals and do 10% of China's LASIK volume. The need is there." Again, one critical thing is knowing what the government will allow you to do, he said. Hence, a joint venture would allow you to bring your unique selling proposi- tion, so to speak, while using local Chinese who know the system's ins and outs. "I did the first IntraLase [Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, Calif.] LASIK in China," Dr. Wang said. "It was the first in 1.4 billion people. I am able [to share how] to deal with LASIK complications like irregular astigmatism. I share what I learn at ASCRS. It is because I am an Ameri- can." Dr. Wang explained that a life- time commitment to China isn't necessary. "I'm not going to suggest [living] in China," Dr. Wang said. "Go visit. Find partners. Collabo- rate." Even with his China ventures, he is director of the Wang Vision Cataract and LASIK Center, Nashville, Tenn., and clinical associ- ate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee. Still, he believes that those more likely to heed his advice and go east are young ophthalmologists, rather than older ophthalmologists set in their ways. "Once you are in practice for 20 years, you are a slave to your practice," Dr. Wang said. For the young, it's a different story. "We do need more eye doctors even in this country," Dr. Wang said. "But their options are limited. Any city [in the U.S.] you want to live in, everyone else wants to live in. From the beginning of your career, get a footing in the international market." In other words, you're more likely to be the first at something in China than in the U.S. And if you think you need loads of money to do what Dr. Wang did, he's the first to admit that he arrived in the U.S. in 1982 with $50 in his pocket. "Business opportunity comes from this equilibrium—supply and demand," Dr. Wang said. www.EyeWorld.org There's simply more demand for the American ophthalmologist in China. There just aren't that many there. EW Editors' note: Dr. Wang has no finan- cial interests related to this article. Contact information Wang: 615-321-8881, drwang@wangvisioninstitute.com CHICAGO 2012 Saturday, November 10 Hyatt McCormick Place Complex Cataracts, The Simple Truths IIII Sponsored by MST 7:00 – 7:30am Registration 7:30 – 8:30am Program Save the Date Registration opens August 2012 Saturday, November 10—Monday, November 12 Monday, November 12 Hyatt McCormick Place Pursuing the Next Level of Outcomes in Customized Laser Refractive and Cataract Surgery 6:30 – 7:00am Registration 7:00 – 8:00am Program Make the most of your time while in Chicago and attend these EyeWorld programs for an educational opportunity to network with your colleagues.