10 Clinical Pearls for Introducing Premium IOLs into Your Practice 08/17/2009 Premium IOLs are the buzz in journals, guest lectures and at many of the ophthalmic meetings. As residents and fellows, the patient population we treated often did not have the resources for a premium IOL, causing most of us to ignore the topic until sometime after training. Here are some clinical pearls I have learned while implementing premium IOLs during my first two years of practice.   Clinical Trials 101 07/13/2009 Every year, thousands of physicians participate in their first clinical trial. This is not only an educational experience, but also a humbling one. A clinical trial is an experiment performed on humans to compare the efficacy of two or more therapeutic options. The multi-center, randomized, masked, controlled trial is the gold standard of clinical research and produces the most reliable comparison of treatment modalities. Another essential aspect of a well-designed clinical trial is the random allocation of subjects to the experimental and control groups.   Optic Nerve Imaging Technology: The Necessary Evil? 05/11/2009 The growing use of optic nerve imaging devices has led to both excitement and frustration in being able to accurately diagnose and manage pre-perimetric glaucoma. In this article, I hope to give streamlined tips on obtaining and interpreting these often-confusing printouts, sharing some of the pearls and pitfalls I have learned along the way.   Transitioning from Supervised Cataract Surgery to Independent Cataract Surgeon: 12 Clinical Pearls 04/13/2009 1. Do not underestimate the transition. In your final year of training, surgery often becomes less challenging as your comfort level rises. Surgeons often assume the same comfort level will follow them to the real world. The reality is that operating on your own in a new environment can generate significant anxiety, and you suddenly miss having an attending surgeon by your side. Do not underestimate this transition and make every effort to prepare for it.   Seven Clinical Pearls for Examination of the Retina 02/10/2009 Examination of the retina can offer a spectrum of difficulties. It can be straightforward and easy in the young, cooperative patient without coexisting ocular disease, and it can be extremely challenging in some patients who are less cooperative and/or have coexisting eye diseases that preclude optimal examination. The following are seven clinical pearls for examination of the retina that I have learned during my fellowship and continued to refine and teach during my last four years in practice.   10 Clinical Pearls for Cataract Surgery 11/24/2008 The art of cataract surgery is an ongoing process of improvement for an ophthalmologist. Even when things become "routine," there are new and unexpected events that can occur that will challenge the best surgeon. Having performed more than 1,000 cataract surgeries over the last four years, here are the top ten pearls I've learned from my senior partner and mentor, Arthur J. Weinstein, MD, and friend, Alan Crandall, MD, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah.   10 Clinical Pearls for Treating Uveitis 08/18/2008 By the time a patient arrives at a uveitis clinic, he or she is usually very frustrated. The patient has seen multiple doctors, and not just ophthalmologists. He or she has been on a variety of corticosteroid, topical, oral or injectable medications and may have had several surgeries. The inflammation often comes back when the medications are tapered, and the patient still doesn’t have a “diagnosis.”   Clinical Pearls for Pediatric Ophthalmology 06/18/2008 Whether you are currently in your residency or in the early years of practice, providing children’s eye care requires a unique approach. Many ophthalmologists fear the child on their schedule due to the additional time required and complexities that comes with this examination. However, with the right approach and charm, caring for children can be a very rewarding and fun experience.   Eight Pearls for Reducing Errors in Eye Pathology 04/23/2008 Patient safety has become a major topic of interest since the publication of the Institute of Medicine’s landmark on medical errors in the United States in 1999.1 This benchmark report used published data concerning the frequency of medical errors in the United States. The findings showed that medical errors accounted for between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths per year nationwide and that medical errors cost payers, including the U.S. government, between $17 billion and $29 billion annually. Additionally, medical errors increase costs, induce patient harm and may result in the lost of your medical license.   Seven Pearls for Ensuring Excellent Visual Outcome after Corneal Refractive Surgery 02/22/2008 The popularity of laser refractive surgery is staggering, with more than 17 million procedures performed to date and an estimated 1.3 million procedures performed worldwide each year. While LASIK and PRK have grown in acceptance, relatively few ophthalmology programs have offered their residents significant training and experience in performing these procedures. For those of you who are new to corneal refractive surgery, I offer these few tips and pearls aimed at improving your personal experience with the procedures and, ultimately, ensuring the excellent visual outcome for your patients.   10 Clinical Pearls for Your First 10 Phaco Cases after Residency 06/13/2007 You are the new kid on the block, and yet you are-and must be-the boss. Communicate your needs and expectations to your staff, but remember that a calm and confident demeanor is necessary to avoid ruffling feathers during your first surgical days. How you shoulder this burden demonstrates your character. Remember that arrogance is often the mask of insecurity. If something is not going the way you want, look within yourself to find the fault. That's probably where it is.