Welcome to Eye Care In The News, where you can follow the latest developments in the media regarding advances in ophthalmology, including news releases about Dr. Smith's many activities to help others enjoy the view.
Dr. Smith Against AAO Ban!
June 10, 2004
To Distinguished Members of the Board American Academy of Ophthalmology : Why I Am Against The Ban on Optometrists from Taking Courses at AAO
How important is the educational mission of the Academy?
I believe that it is fundamental and I appreciate the courses, seminars and instruction that the Academy has provided. The Academy has a great tradition of dissemination of knowledge and advocacy for public health.
I teach at Academy meetings and elsewhere, I have published numerous articles and a textbook, and I know that teaching inherently provides information to competitors to compete against me, and for my staff--as they get more trained to leave me. For example I completed a two-year fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery and residents who I helped to teach are seeing patients that I would have seen, even though they have not done a fellowship. And still I teach. My mentors have taught me and we compete. And still they teach. I also work together with mentors and former students for consultations, discussion, research and publications, and I know that patients get better care because of the educational process.I believe that the position banning optometrists from taking courses at the AAO is both wrong and is counter to it's stated objective. You are a distinguished panel of teachers--from whom I have learned. Isn't there another way to both uphold the profession of ophthalmology and the Academy as a beacon for the dissemination of knowledge and improvement of public health?
Respectfully,Ronald J. Smith, MD, MPH
Email Sent by Dr. Smith to Optometrist Network Regarding His Stand
I disagree strongly with the ban. I have contacted the Academy and verified the validity of the Academy's position. The contact person regarding the AAO's ban is the Director of Communications, Peggy Kraus, at the Am Academy of Ophthalmology. I have written and sent the email below to her, and I encourage you to speak with the ophthalmologists with whom you work. If they wish to reverse the ban they can email Peggy Kraus at 'pkraus@aao.org' and request that the Board of Trustees reverse the ban as I have.
I believe that the dissemination of scientific and educational information is what is in the best interest of our patients, and that's why I, as many of you, also serve as teachers and instructors. The Academy should be encouraging not banning the participation of optometrists in the AAO educational activities, and should be looking for ways to foster collaborative efforts for the best interests of all of our patients.
I work closely with optometrists in my refractive surgery practice and find the relationships to be academically stimulating and to foster excellent care. I know that complications have been avoided and results have been improved because of the preoperative evaluation and surgical planning that I do with the optometrists who refer patients for refractive surgery.
I feel so strongly about this that I have specifically suggested working together with optometrists in the LASIK textbook that I coauthored, LASIK Techniques: Pearls and Pitfalls.
The decision of the Board of Trustees of the AAO was NOT based on a vote of the membership. I believe that a democratic response to the AAO's ban is called for.
Ronald
Disadvantaged communities in El Salvador receive the gift of sight
Dr. Ronald J. Smith, Ophthalmologist and LASIK Surgeon, Completes Successful Volunteer Mission to El Salvador
May 11, 2004
Beverly Hills, CA: Dr. Ronald J. Smith, a board-certified ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon, served on a successful volunteer mission to El Salvador on February 20-29, 2004. Dr. Smith was in El Salvador with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH)/California 501c(3) foundation operating worldwide to provide affordable eye care to disadvantaged populations.
During this trip, the VOSH team was able to examine and treat 2,127 patients, many of whom had never seen a doctor before. The majority was able to have their sight restored with eyeglasses. One 30 year-old man, previously unemployed, can now do piece work because his sight has been restored by the eyeglasses that the team provided. Another patient, a 55 year-old grandmother was able to enroll in a school now that she can see to read; and a 45 year-old woman can now see her thread and needle and can mend clothes.
“Many of the eye diseases we see in our volunteer work in developing countries are treatable or preventable with basic care.” said Dr. Smith “The ability to help others who have such little access to quality eye care through VOSH is so gratifying to me as a physician and surgeon.”
Besides a busy LASIK surgery practice, Dr. Smith is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He attended medical school and residency in New York and came to UCLA in 1995, where he completed a two-year fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Jules Stein Eye Institute. Dr. Smith received his Masters in Public Health from UCLA in 2002. He has published numerous articles on LASIK and refractive surgery and has recently published a textbook on LASIK surgery.
Quality Of Life Improved Through LASER Eye Surgery
First Quality of Life Survey Among Laser Eye Surgery Patients Demonstrates High Satisfaction, Improved Daily Routine and Overall Quality of Life
May 11, 2004
Over 3 million Americans have undergone laser eye surgery since 1995. According to the results of a Harris Interactive survey released by The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC), the public education arm of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) more than 85 percent said the surgery improved their overall quality of life and 93 percent of patients said they were satisfied with the results.
The survey is the first nationwide quality of life survey assessing life implications for laser eye surgery patients. The survey asked patients to evaluate the impact of their eye surgery on the quality of their family life, careers, and sports. These survey findings, along with the ESEC’s newly updated LASIK screening guidelines, can help interested patients make educated choices by weighing the benefits and risks of laser eye surgery.
Among the benefits of the procedure, respondents cited improvement in several specific aspects of vision, daily living and everyday activities, including:
- Ability to see upon waking (seeing an alarm clock) (89%)
- Freedom from glasses and contacts (83%)
- Improvement in personal safety (69%)
- Increased confidence in personal appearance (65%)
- Better participation in sports or fitness activities (54%)
Specific to the surgery, 87 percent felt that the results met or exceeded their expectations and 73 percent of patients regretted that they did not have the surgery sooner. In addition to the high satisfaction rate, nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents said they began “a whole new life” after laser eye surgery.
An important aspect of the survey also focused on consumer education. Understanding risks and benefits of laser eye surgery prior to undergoing treatment is critical for patient satisfaction and an important factor in determining if a patient is an appropriate candidate. The survey findings showed that 86 percent felt they were well informed about the risks of laser eye surgery before treatment and more than half (54 percent) of respondents reported that they considered laser eye surgery for a year or more before they actually had the procedure. Significantly, those patients who reported that their expectations were not met or that they were not satisfied were also among those people who were less informed about the surgery itself or risks and benefits of the surgery.
For More Information: http://www.eyesurgeryeducation.com/Newsroom_qualityoflifeimproved.htm
Farm Worker Sees His Son's Face For The First Time After Undergoing Surgery
The Flying Samaritan’s Surgical Team in Mexico, Led By Dr. Ronald J. Smith, Ophthalmologist and LASIK Surgeon, restores Farmworker's vision with Surgery
May 11, 2004
Beverly Hills, CA: Dr. Ronald J. Smith, a board-certified ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon, led a medical team for the Flying Samaritans on an eye surgery mission for March 26-28 in San Quentin, Mexico. The Flying Samaritans is a volunteer group of medical personnel and pilots who provide free medical care to disadvantaged communities in Mexico. During the weekend medical mission, we screened 70 patients and performed 11 surgical procedures.
“The most memorable part of the weekend for me was the 36 year-old farm worker with dense cataracts, who underwent surgery with us, who could see the expression on his son’s face for the first time after we did the cataract surgery, “ said Dr. Ronald J. Smith. “The wife, son and the father were filled with joy beyond words. The staff was practically moved to tears. This is truly a team effort and many thanks go out to a job well done by the 10 volunteer doctors, nurses and pilots,” added Dr. Smith.
Besides a busy LASIK surgery practice, Dr. Smith is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He attended medical school and residency in New York and came to UCLA in 1995, where he completed a two-year fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at The Jules Stein Eye Institute. Dr. Smith received his Masters in Public Health from UCLA in 2002. He has published numerous articles on refractive and LASIK surgery and has recently published a textbook on LASIK surgery.
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