When Faced With Changes, Ophthalmologists Rise to The Challenge

It’s 2023 and we’re all rethinking our job descriptions. Take me, for instance. I often work from my home office, which is nice because I never have to duck into a soundproof room or quiet vestibule away from office chatter to make a phone call. I finally got that sit/stand desk to mitigate the effects of my sedentary lifestyle (as long as I can convince myself to use the ‘stand’ feature!). On the downside, my cat — overhearing me and not fully understanding how phones work — must wonder why I’m asking him such complex questions about ocular surgery. It’s been a change, but the mission remains the same — to deliver quality, relevant, timely reporting on clinical research into eye care.

Ophthalmologists’ jobs are changing too. Sure, they’re not performing cataract surgery in their breakfast nooks, but with so many new tools and pharmaceutical treatments available, they are taking on new responsibilities and facing new challenges. Consider the development of a variety of effective options for cancer therapy. Pharmaceutical advancements are changing what cancer treatment looks like. Yet, all come with the potential to cause problems for the eye. At Ophthalmology Advisor , we’ve provided a complete overview of what physicians need to know to manage the visual health of patients being treated with some of these therapeutics, as written by researchers, pharmacists, and practicing doctors most familiar with these treatments.?

Nathan L. Scott , MD, — chief of ocular oncology at UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology UC San Diego School of Medicine — explained the mechanisms of action that can lead to uveitis or retinal dysfunction in patients taking immune-checkpoint inhibitors . The country’s top “oculo-centric pharmacist,” Dr. Tracy Offerdahl-McGowan , PharmD, describes the threat of severe ocular disease, and how to mitigate it, in patients being treated with antibody-drug conjugates . And Basil Williams , MD, (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ) with Tommy Bui , BS, and Maura Di Nicola , MD, reviewed the symptoms of ocular toxicity following MEK/BRAF inhibitor use. From managing dry eye to repairing retinopathy, it’s part of the ophthalmologist’s duty to keep patients’ visual health intact for the day they’re finally able to ring that remission bell.

And if new responsibilities have you feeling crunched, you may be pleased to know a new assistant is on the horizon. In their recent Ophthalmology Advisor article, Steven Yeh , MD, ( University of Nebraska Medical Center ), Caleb Hartley, MPH , and Jintong Liu, BS, pluck the most pertinent research into artificial intelligence’s ability to potentially supplement the slowing number of new ophthalmologists. I know: skeptics are skittish when it comes to robots intervening in medical care. But like any tool, whether it’s machine learning or an at-home sit/stand desk, it’s all in how you use it. Let’s make a deal: Ophthalmology Advisor will keep an eye on developments in pharmaceutical treatments, diagnostic imaging, and surgical techniques for you. You call me once in a while and remind me to use the ‘stand’ function on my desk. Just ignore the meowing in the background.

— Bill Kekevian , Senior Editor of Ophthalmology Advisor & Optometry Advisor , Haymarket Medical Network

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