AN EXCELLENT LEADER

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) bestowed a special honour on Emanuel Rosen MD, FRCSEd at its 2014 annual meeting in Boston, prompting a standing ovation by thousands of colleagues in anterior segment surgery attending from the world over. “It is with great pleasure that we recognise Emanuel Rosen for his contributions to our profession, and specifically for his excellence of leadership as editor of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery for the past 18 years,” said Stephen A Obstbaum MD.

Ongoing success

Dr Obstbaum headed JCRS when it merged in 1996 with the European Journal of Implant and Refractive
Surgery, where Dr Rosen was editor. Dr Obstbaum hailed the longstanding joint effort as “one of the most successful partnerships in organised medicine and one that has benefited all of us who practise surgery of the anterior segment of the eye.”

Dr Obstbaum also lauded Dr Rosen’s leadership of the European Intraocular Implant Council during and after its transition to the ESCRS.“Through the years there were few ESCRS initiatives that have not been enlightened by his insight or touched by his skilfull management. Emanuel Rosen continues to be a steady and constant influence in the ongoing success of that organisation.”

Dr Rosen is succeeded as editor by Thomas Kohnen MD, PhD, who now shares the role with Nick Mamalis MD. Dr Rosen will continue as case reports section editor, responsible for case reports published in print and online. “It would be both foolish and selfish on our part to permit this great talent to escape us,” said Dr Obstbaum, lauding the decision.

Contributions of European ophthalmologists were also recognised in this year’s inductees to the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame. The late Vladimir P Filatov MD, Ukraine, was so honoured for his pioneering work in corneal transplantation and tissue therapy. Theo Seiler MD, PhD, Switzerland, was recognised for his ground-breaking work developing wavefront-guided refractive ablation, and inventing corneal collagen cross-linking.

Glaucoma to the fore

As a condition affecting about one in five cataract patients, and one increasingly treated in tandem with cataract surgery, glaucoma played a prominent role in this year’s ASCRS meeting. Not only was the prestigious Binkhorst Lecture delivered by glaucoma specialist Iqbal K “Ike” Ahmed MD, incoming ASCRS President Richard A Lewis MD is himself a glaucoma specialist.

“This is a unique time of ophthalmology. Technology has broadened our diagnostic and surgical options in ways not envisioned only a few years ago,” said Dr Lewis, who was unable to attend due to injuries from a recent accident, but delivered his comments via video.

Yet pressure from government mandates including adoption of the ICD-10 coding system and artificial budget caps challenge the profession even as other government programmes seek to expand access, Dr Lewis added.
“I want to see ASCRS continue to guide its members through these and other, yet unforeseen challenges.”

Advancing care

Outgoing president Eric Donnenfeld MD also emphasised the vital role ASCRS plays in advancing care technology and improving access. Among ASCRS’ major undertakings this year is to organise and support ophthalmologists in providing cataract surgery for patients who cannot afford treatment.

“In this 40th anniversary year [of the ASCRS annual meeting] we look ahead not just to follow but to surpass our past accomplishments. In the next 40 years we will improve eye care for our patients and work toward the noble goal of making treatable blindness a thing of the past,” Dr Donnenfeld said.

“I remember hearing in my training that I had just missed the golden age of ophthalmology. Today I know better. The golden age of ophthalmology is right now. With courage and leadership we can make tomorrow even better,” Dr Donnenfeld said.