Refractive Surgery and Frivolous Lawsuits

International communications on an Olympic level

IN anticipation of the Olympic Games, to be held again in Athens, Greece next year, the organisers of the recent 17th International Congress of the Hellenic Society of Intraocular Implant and Refractive Surgery (HSIOIRS) incorporated the theme and spirit of that tradition in their meeting.

Spyros Georgaras MD and Pandelis Papadopoulos MD, President and General Secretary of the Society respectively, invited representatives from countries in Europe, North America and Asia to present their “national pre-Olympic” scores and demonstrate their latest national developments in cataract and refractive surgery, and combined operations of the anterior and posterior segments.

As co-ordinator and moderator of the US National Round Table, I was honoured to participate in this educational endeavour, which highlighted the accomplishments and viewpoints of each country while emphasising the universal goal of preserving and improving vision. So many countries have contributed to our technological and technical feats.

During the meeting in Athens, Prof Georgaras, who is a co-opted member of the Board of the ESCRS, together with other ESCRS members, underscored the willingness of the ESCRS to sponsor sessions and faculties for National Society meetings. The ESCRS are interested in involving National Societies in their European initiatives: the European Cataract Outcomes Study, the Endophthalmitis Clinical Study and the soon to be launched Refractive Outcomes Study.

The support of National Society meetings by international experts is essential in ensuring that the developments are communicated to all our colleagues.
Prof Georgaras explained that “each year only 100 Greek ophthalmologists attend the European or American annual conferences of the corresponding International Societies”.

He added: “The rest, almost 2,500 (Greek) ophthalmologists have to be informed of the latest innovations and modern techniques (at national meetings). Without the participation of each one of us, no progress can be made.”

The rapid advancement of our field will continue through international co-operation and recognition of each country’s achievements. This positive aspect of globalisation will continue to increase educational opportunities and improve patient care.

The benefits of globalization notwithstanding, the national identity of each country’s ophthalmological society should be preserved and encouraged.
Hopefully, all international societies will endeavour to support all members and their members national societies, while striving to avoid risks of globalization. In international forums no one country should dominate. Commercial and national bias should be avoided.

It is fitting that this international educational programme was undertaken in the country of Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine’. In his writings, Hippocrates instructed surgeons to make observations without being biased by notions current at the time and to “practise ability, grace, speed, painlessness …”.

His aphorisms always began with “art is long and life is short”. His oath has been the vow of physicians through the ages: “I will prescribe regimen for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgement, and if I am not able to do so without doing harm, I will leave the work to others.”

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