Eyeworld Daily News

55 EW SHOW DAILY ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress, San Diego 2015 an American solider and a Chinese communist guerilla fighter. They have clashing views on government, religion, ethics, and the value of human life, but ultimately the bat- tles they fight and the horrors they witness during the war bring them together to form a strong bond of brotherhood. At the end of World War II, when American is forced to take sides between the Nationalists and the Communists, their friend- ship is tested. Saving Sight While waiting to publish Two Sons of China, Dr. Lam got the idea for another book, which ultimately became Saving Sight (Irie Books). "I wanted to write about the heroes of ophthalmology who had invent- ed the tools we use every day," he said. "All of these innovators were amazing, and in researching their stories, I realized that each of them overcame huge setbacks." Initially, his agent said that although it was an interesting topic, it was not a book that would be marketable to the general public, so Dr. Lam decided to blend those stories with his own experiences as a surgeon to take the reader behind the mask into the operating room to see what it is like to save sight. The book has been a bestseller on Amazon and has won literary awards in Europe and America, earn- ing an honorable mention at both the 2013 London and New England Book Festivals. It was also a finalist in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. "It's great how that book has been a surprise hit," Dr. Lam said. Saving Sight focuses on a number of "eye heroes," many of whom were ostracized for their ideas. Sir Harold Ridley, MD, for example, was a British ophthalmologist whose brush with invention came during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Dr. Ridley saw a pilot who had been shot down and had plexiglass in his eyes, which was blinding him. To his surprise, Dr. Ridley noticed that the plexiglass was not causing in- flammation and was instead sitting inert in the eyes. About 9 years later, Dr. Ridley used plexiglass to create the first artificial intraocular lens. Howev- er, his innovation was ahead of its time, and it was so poorly received, he became depressed. It took many decades for the artificial lens to be accepted, and Dr. Ridley was finally recognized and knighted before he died. Ophthalmologist continued from page 53 Visit our website to download our brochures. NIDEK Inc. 47651 Westinghouse Drive Fremont, California 94539-7474 USA Telephone: 1-800-223-9044 • Fax: 1-510-226-5750 usa.nidek.com March 10, 2015 15-0024 CONTACT NIDEK TO SCHEDULE A DEMO TODAY. Caution: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician or other licensed eye care practitioner. Specifications may vary depending on circumstances in each country. Specifications and design are subject to change without notice. N I D E K I N N O V A T I O N ! NIDEK RS-3000 ADVANCE OCT The NIDEK RS-3000 Advance OCT unit makes for increased efficiency when it comes to doing OCT scans. Patients are easily positioned for an OCT scan and technicians are able to quickly perform the scan with minimal instruction to the patient during the scan. The results of the scan are immediately available for viewing in the exam room by the physician and the patient on any available workstation. The software for analyzing the scan is easy to use and the images are clear and easy to present to the patient. The RS-3000 Advance is a winner for physicians, technicians, and most importantly, the patients. – Dr. Darrell Genstler, Genstler Eye Center, Albany, Oregon The RS-3000 Advance provides outstanding anatomic detail, superb ergonomics and enhanced office efficiency. I can visualize vital structures in the cornea, angle, choroid and retina with minimal effort. Because the software is well designed, I can show patients their images from the privacy of the exam room...even when the RS-3000 Advance is being used by another practitioner. No other device has this functionality. It is a breath of fresh air. – Dr. James S. Lewis, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 11214_Nidek 2 Docs Ad_Eyeworld 7.19x9.75.indd 1 3/25/15 2:53 Other heroes featured in the book include Charles Kelman, MD, and Louis Braille. Dr. Kelman invented phacoemulsification after realizing an ultrasonic probe similar to one used in his dentist's office could be used for cataract removal. However, after discovering this in the 1960s, it took some time to be fully accepted in the ophthalmic community. Braille fought his whole life for his dot system to be used and died unknown in France in 1852. After Braille died, the French government realized the potential of the system and began to use it and even dug up Braille's grave to bury him with other French heroes at the Pantheon in Paris. "My twin passions are to save sight as a retina surgeon and to write history in a way that's accessible to people," Dr. Lam said. "I would nev- er have been able to do these things if I didn't love what I was doing." Learn more about Dr. Lam and his books at www.AndrewLamMD. com. EW

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