research in cataract & refractive surgery

[FenderB2004]

Hi, I noticed in a few posts that people said research in refractive surgery was not regarded as highly as research in other fields of ophthalmology? is this true, and if so, why is this? does this also apply for research in cataract surgery?

thanks!

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[rubensan]

where did you read this? given that cataract is the leading cause of curable blindness in the world, i do not think that research in cataract surgery is considered "inferior." many prominent cornea specialists (a few chairs at major institutions) have built their careers researching examiner lasers and developing new refractive techniques. a good rule of thumb: if the NEI funds a particular lab or investigator, the research is FAR from inferior.

Hi, I noticed in a few posts that people said research in refractive surgery was not regarded as highly as research in other fields of ophthalmology? is this true, and if so, why is this? does this also apply for research in cataract surgery?

thanks!

 

[PDT4CNV]

Most "old school" ophthalmologists would probably think more highly of research in what they consider "real" ophthalmology (not refractive surgery)....but, if a particular chairman or program director you want to impress is involved in refractive surgery, then go for it...and ultimately, what matters most, is doing what you are interested in.

 

[FenderB2004]

so would one of these "old school" ophthalmologist view a publication in cataract and refractive surgery less favorably than one in "real" ophthalmology? how bout a letter of rec from an academically renown cataract surgeon? i would hate to see all those hours i spent kissing a$$ all go down the drain (just kidding!)

Most "old school" ophthalmologists would probably think more highly of research in what they consider "real" ophthalmology (not refractive surgery)....but, if a particular chairman or program director you want to impress is involved in refractive surgery, then go for it...and ultimately, what matters most, is doing what you are interested in.

 

[qwopty99]

edit to rephrase:

the corneal specialist with whom i work presented at AAO as a 3rd year medical student, then first-authored the same talk into publication in Ophthalmology. he did his ophtho residency at harvard.

that said, i wouldn't at all consider any well-written publication in JCRS as a "failure", or even a lower-ranked journal. quality papers stand up for themselves.