Expectations were high for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Virtual Annual Meeting (ASCRS 2020). There were mutterings that a purely virtual conference couldn’t cut the mustard. Many asked whether ASCRS was doomed to fail a major coronavirus litmus test.
Consider the mustard correctly cut and spread successfully over a superlative sandwich. Nobody expected a fully virtual conference to be just as good as one in the flesh, but the ASCRS proved itself superbly. Ophthalmology professionals from all corners of the globe chimed in on topics from coronavirus to cataracts to canceled treatments — and all were glad for the opportunity to share their experiences.
Truth be told, our behind-the-scenes interviews with exhibitors revealed there was something left to be desired about virtual exhibitions. Without naming names, sources noted the following challenges: 1) Missing in-person social connections that seem irreplaceable 2) Missed connections due to somewhat clunky communications methods inside the virtual space and 3) A desire to find a better way to connect discussions about products with actual commercial sales. Of course, given ASCRS was bold enough to put on the first real digital ophthalmology exhibition ever, challenges were to be expected. Next up is WOC Virtual in June, where we expect to see further innovations to address challenges like these.
A Star(ship) appearance
The first day of the conference ended on a particularly high note — literally. After a day of statistics, reports, e-posters and more, the conference wrapped up with the 38th Film Festival Reception and Awards Ceremony, featuring a special guest appearance by Jefferson Starship Lead Singer Mickey Thomas, who treated viewers to his own special version of “I Can See Clearly Now,” by Jimmy Cliff.
Of course, most of the films were more related to ophthalmology. We particularly enjoyed Dr. Sergio Canabrava’s “Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation Technique; No Flaps, No Knots, No Glue.” The surgical footage was as insightful (and gory to the uninitiated) as the name was long, — kudos to Dr. Canabrava for his two years of research.
Coronavirus is here and we better get used to It
Also on the first day of ASCRS 2020, the former U.S. FDA Administrator Dr. Scott Gottlieb, covered the coronavirus in a symposium sponsored by Novartis. Dr. Gottlieb stated that the coronavirus infection rate in the U.S. is currently low and that it’s a safe assumption that most people infected with the virus will subsequently develop immunity, similarly to other coronaviruses. This is welcome news for ophthalmologists stuck with shuttered clinics, desperate for more patients to feel safe enough to return. Dr Gottlieb also emphasized his view that telemedicine, which has experienced a massive uptick, is here to stay, pointing to his own experience of improved productivity thanks to video calls.
Prophetic cartoons
Have you ever seen those episodes of “The Simpsons” that appear to predict the future, including video calls and the Trump presidency? “The Jetsons” was another prophetic cartoon, predicting telemedicine back in the 1960s. At least that’s according to Dr. Ranya Habash, who spoke during the “Turning the Lights Back On: Part 2” symposium.
As a self-described telemedicine enthusiast and cartoon fan, to Dr. Habash, using telemedicine is more than just good practice — it’s a Darwinian crux. We’ve arrived at a sink-or-swim moment . . . and telemedicine is the life raft.
“This is simple evolution, if we are to survive we must adapt. It’s an opportunity to spur medicine forward and we should embrace that,” Dr. Habash said.
Now while we’re not likely to use the Jetson’s flying cars anytime soon, Dr. Habash is right. Telemedicine is the future of ophthalmology and a virtual conference is a good really hint toward this. The technology offers a lot, particularly for those who find it difficult to access medicine, like the eldery and children with disabilities.
Where would we be without a good poster?
Kids with Down’s syndrome in particular face particular challenges in ophthalmology. Their corneal thickness, for example, is usually 100mm thinner than average healthy levels according to One Extra Chromosome X, Makes One Special Child-Don’t Miss out Mr X. This e-poster’s study screened children with Down’s syndrome over 8-years-old.
Five eyes were diagnosed with grade two keratoconus and one presented with acute hydrops. The children received treatment, which was described as rewarding, with better visual quality and accompanying cognitive and emotional development. The study’s authors state close monitoring and screening can significantly help similarly disabled children, and overall improves their behaviour and emotional state.
These researchers called for targeted screenings and for marksmanship, not unlike another standout e-poster from the conference. Rifle Marksmanship Following Small Incision Lenticule Extraction saw researchers team up with the U.S. Army to examine the effects of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) treatment for myopia.
The results of the study were fascinating. Out of four marksmanship categories, soldiers in the lower three performed the same or worse after SMILE treatment — yet expert shooters (the highest category) actually improved. The researchers concluded shooting was as good post-SMILE without correction as it was with correction preoperatively.
We’ll meet again,we’re even sure where and when
The marksmanship in the military e-poster was in fact a fitting symbol of the overall atmosphere of the ASCRS conference. It succeeded because of the Blitz-spirit ophthalmology is experiencing. People from all areas of the industry are coming together to survive, to learn the best lessons we can from the crisis, and to thrive after it’s over.
Dr. David W. Parke, CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, perhaps best summed up this zeitgeist. Churchillian in tone, he pointed out that in the U.S., 79% of baseline visits have been cancelled in ophthalmology — the worst affected medical sector. However, he offered more than defiance in this present adversity — rather, he offered optimism and pride.
“The normal of the future will never be the normal of last January. We will always have the memory of what it is to shelter-in-place, to furlough staff, and defer patient care,” Dr. Parke said.
“Years in the future, every ophthalmologist will be able to tell their grandchildren that they played an important role in blocking virus transmission and preserving scarce PPE,” he said.
If ASCRS Virtual Annual Meeting has taught us one thing, it’s that ophthalmology shall never surrender.
