The 2nd Young Ophthalmologist Global Ophthalmology Summit was held in Singapore in January 2024. This is the second installment about the summit from Michael Murri, MD. Read the first installment by L. Claire Peterson, MBBS, MMed, FRCOphth.
Singapore is an important cultural hub at the intersection of Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific Island region, and it’s no mystery why the 2nd Young Ophthalmologist Global Ophthalmology Summit was held there.
For me, it marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among emerging leaders in the field of ophthalmology.
This international summit brought together young ophthalmologists from various corners of the globe, providing a platform for networking, learning, and sharing insights on the latest advancements in eye care.
The event featured interactive sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations by esteemed experts, covering a diverse array of topics ranging from emerging technologies in ocular diagnostics to innovative surgical techniques.
The summit offered a unique opportunity for young professionals to gain exposure to cutting-edge research and surgical techniques, such as in-bag fixation of a multifocal intraocular lens with Ahmed segments. It also encouraged the development of a global network that will undoubtedly contribute to the future of ophthalmology.
Engaging Debates
The program started with a series of engaging debate style talks including Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) vs. ultra-thin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), external vs. internal ptosis correction, intravitreal therapy for atrophic macular degeneration, and other intriguing topics in ophthalmology.
One compelling point about intravitreal therapy for atrophic macular degeneration was that the clinical trials did show anatomic success, but that it was physiologically on the scale of 1-2 RPE cells and did not provide visual benefit.
Ophthalmologists from across the globe provided their expert opinions as speakers and panelists. Then, discussions were also held on global health, sustainability, using social media, and educational topics. The speakers came from Singapore, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, France, Ireland, Israel, United Kingdom, Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Maldives, Korea, Japan, Philippines, and more.
Young ophthalmologists focused on how mentorship in training can be most effective, how global outreach can be administered, and about how developing countries can instruct more developed countries on how to be more sustainable in health care. Several tips include working with your operating room to decrease the use of excess draping, using surgical gel instead of water and scrub, and working to reuse and recycle surgical materials.
Most importantly, friendships and collaborations were made for future projects. I enjoyed meeting and interacting with leaders in the Pacific region such as Marcus Ang, MBBS, and Claire Peterson, MD, and look forward to future collaboration.
Overall, through this collaborative exchange, the 2nd Young Ophthalmologist Global Ophthalmology Summit in Singapore played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of leaders in the field and promoting advancements in eye care worldwide.
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About the author: Michael Murri, MD, completed his ophthalmology residency as a University of Utah Moran Eye Center Global Outreach Scholar and fellowship training in cornea, refractive surgery, and external disease at the University of Colorado Eye Center. He has performed local outreach while living in Texas, Utah, and Colorado, and abroad in South America, Asia, and Africa. He is currently an associate at Ungricht Parker Eye Associates in Salt Lake City. |