Visus writes: There is no 'i' in team

We are often told there’s no “i” in team and this applies to the delicate inter-professional relationship that is refractive surgery and cataract (which is just about the most common form of refractive surgery). In the olden days of generalist ophthalmologists who did OMP “green form” work many ophthalmologists had a good understanding of refraction and, more importantly the fine art of prescribing. Qualifying as an ophthalmologist still requires refraction training but its hardly top priority.

Where does that leave us ? In many cases a team effort is involved where the optometrist suggests an ideal end refraction, sadly not always. Not really applicable to those undergoing multifocal implants but in any single vision IOL it’s critical. How many times do we see a low myope end up as plano just because the surgeon “can”. Great for maximising unaided vision but it does nothing to decrease spectacle dependence as this person, who has spent a lifetime reading without specs now has to take a pair or wear near-plano varifocals to use a phone, read or pay by PIN ! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve suggested leaving a patient in low myopia only to find the patient miraculously changes their mind at the doors of the theatre !