AAO 2022 in – a few personal highlights for me.
- Invited to be part of the faculty of AAO 2022 Retina Subspecialty Day was a special moment for me, especially as surgical retina has some of the least female representation amongst the various subspecialties of ophthalmology. I have to admit that staring out at the audience of mostly male members was daunting to say the least, but I was so moved to see the engagement and earnest openness of our retina colleagues in this area. In one of my other talks I speak about the need for male and female Champions of Change – and found one indeed in Retina Subspecialty Day Chair Srinivas R Sadda MD – thankyou for your very kind invitation to be part of the Day and also for your support of Women in Ophthalmology by putting this issue front and centre stage at such a prominent meeting of retinal minds.
2. Excited to host an AAO Learning Lounge with Professor Sadeer Hannush about “Vitrectomy for the Anterior Segment Surgeon”. The need for support and education in the area of middle segment surgery is significant. Whether one comes from cornea, glaucoma, or vitreo-retinal backgrounds, being equipped with the right skills and knowhow to perform these complex manoeuvres requires a respectful collaboration between these subspecialties – there is so much to be shared and learned for the benefit of our patients.
3. Meeting Dr Glauckomflecken. Enough said. I was supposed to present alongside him at the Walter Wright Meeting at the University of Toronto a year prior, but could not leave the country due to COVID restrictions – so it was lovely to be able to finally meet him in person! Such a lovely, kind and inspiring individual.
4. And of course catching up with some special and cherished friends and colleagues.
