The International Intra-Ocular Implant Club IIIC

Upcoming Events

IIIC Medal Lecture and
Annual Membership Meeting


October 8, 2017 - Lisbon, Portugal

IIIC Medal Lecture by David F. Chang:
"Lessons from the World´s Greatest Team of Cataract Surgeons"

> Invitation

Members Services

 


Members Remembered

 

Roger Francis Steinert (1950 - 2017)

It is with much sadness that I pass on the news of the passing of our friend and member Roger Francis Steinert, one of the true giants of modern corneal and refractive surgery. Roger died peacefully at his home in Colorado, surrounded by family and friends on June 6 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. He was 66 years old.

Roger led an extraordinary career as a clinician scientist on both the East and West coasts of the United States. He spent more than 20 years on the faculty at Harvard, where he also went to college and earned his medical degree. It was there that he became known as one of the world's foremost experts in the fields of cataract surgery, corneal transplantation and laser refractive vision correction, transforming much of what our profession takes for granted today. In the 1980s, his research group was one of the first worldwide to study excimer laser applications for refractive surgery and conduct FDA trials of phototherapeutic and photorefractive keratectomy.

In 2004, Roger moved on to the University of California Irvine, where he became the Irving H. Leopold Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, a Professor of biomedical engineering and founder of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. He received numerous prestigious awards from the AAO, ASCRS and ISRS, including the Life Achievement Honor Award, Entrepreneurship Lifetime Innovator Award, Presidential Recognition Award as well as the prestigious Jose Barraquer Award.

Even after his illness was diagnosed in late 2014, Roger continued to work and care for his patients, the institute and university. He was an extraordinary leader, pioneer and visionary, committed teacher and mentor, and devoted friend and colleague. He will be sorely missed.

Michael Knorz, Executive Director of IIIC


It is with much sadness that I learnt of the passing of Roger STEINERT. Roger was a mentor and example for me and I always took great pleasure in exchanging with him during our yearly meetings. His career and achievements speak for themselves and he will be missed not only by me but also the entire corneal society. I would like to send me deepest sympathy to his wife, children and family.
- Georges BAIKOFF


I am deeply touched and mourning.
He was a clinically and scientifically outstanding ophthalmologist and has left deep footprints in our field, as only a few have. Even more uncommon, but all the more precious, is his openness and kindness, his modesty and unpretentiousness. He has a very special place in my heart.
- Thomas Neuhann


We have to recognize Roger Steiner as a Giant of Ophthalmology , as a Genius of our world as a Gentleman and a very Good Man. Roger is the prototype of the Best Friend and his impressive knowledge and expertise are the key of his success based on respect collected through the World Eye Doctor Community. Roger was the recipient of the SOI Strampelli Medal Lecture and he is vey well known in Italy for his experience and carisma. The Italian Ophthalmologists Community thoughts are with his wife April and the family.
- Matteo Piovella



Roger, you were a role model and inspiration to all of us.
You will be sorely missed.
- Luther L Fry


It is a matter of profound grief to know that Dr. Roger F. Steinert passed away on June 6. Dr. Steinert was pioneer in the field of cataract and refractive surgery, a wonderful teacher who inspired several young ophthalmologist globally. His book on Cataract Surgery was considered as the Bible of Cataract Surgery and we have chance to contribute chapter in his book on Cataract Surgery.
Dr. Steinert will be remembered by his friends, fellows and students worldwide. Our most heartfelt condolences. May God bless and comfort all family members during this time of grief.
- Suresh K. Pandey


When Roger was in transit from Boston to Irvine he came as speaker and guest to a few meetings of the NEW YORK INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANT SOCIETY and we marveled at his expertise with cataract surgery and excimer. Since the founding of NYIOLIS in 1978 we took pride in the innovative contributions of our members and the tradition of the meetings held in New York's best restaurants.
- Herbert L Gould


- Obituary by Ocular Surgery News

- Obituary by EyeWireToday


 

 

Richard C. Troutman (1922 - 2017)

Richard C. Troutman passed away at his home in Bal Harbour, FL, on April 5, 2017, at the age of 94.

Richard has been known to all of us as one of the most significant pioneers in microsurgery, essential to the practice of corneal and refractive surgery. He was among the first ophthalmologists worldwide to use a variable-step magnification dissecting microscope in the early 1950s and, over the next 35 years, invented and developed many new concepts. The introduction of his remotely controlled, motorized zoom magnification microscope, which made it possible to vary the magnification over the course of a single procedure, sparked the interest in ophthalmic microsurgery. Today, many contemporary surgical microscopes incorporate his concepts and have been adopted and modified for many other surgical specialties. Richard has authored or co-authored nine books and more than 150 articles and book chapters in scientific publications, many of which detail his innovative microsurgical techniques.

Richard is also internationally recognized as one of the originators of corneal transplant surgery and an advocate of eye banks and eye banking. He has been co-founder of the society known today as the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS). Together with his wife Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman, he founded the Microsurgical Research Foundation (MRF), a non-profit public foundation that supports research and fellowships in refractive and corneal surgery, and has been funding the Annual Troutman Prize of the ISRS for the best original article of a young author (under age 45) in the Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Michael Knorz, Executive Director of IIIC


As an early past Director of IIIC, I knew Dick (Troutman) for many years. Always, always the most gracious gentleman and scholar. Personified what every member of the Club should hope to achieve in their professional and personal life.
- Jaci Lindstrom


In 1976 I was a wet behind the ears Assistant Professor. I gave my first major lecture at the Welsh Cataract Congress on the subject of through and through corneal sutures demonstrating the damage the needles and the sutures created to the endothelium. The speaker who followed me was Dick Troutman. " At least we know from Dr. Binder one can't perform through and through sutures in rabbits and cats, so let me show you how to do it in humans". I was devastated that a world famous figure had just made mincemeat of me. While I was siting dejected in the corner his wife Suzanne came to me and told me that her husband respected me and was sorry for his comments.
Three years later I was sitting in a jazz bar during the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology with Dick here we were both invited speakers. He turned to me and said "I owe you an apology for the way I treated you three years ago." From that point forward he became one of my most supporting ophthalmology friends. it was Dick who nominated me for membership in this society. He invited me to join his Academy microsurgery course over several years as well as inviting me to speak at his New York Ophthalmology program. He was very supportive of my clinical and laboratory research and always went out of his way to tell me how proud he was of my accomplishments.



The first picture I attach was taken in 1981 during the first refractive microsurgery course offered by the fledgling International Society for Refractive Keratoplasty (ISRK) which later became ISRS.



The second photograph was taken in a refractive meeting in Cancún with his friend Manual Ramirez from Mexico.



The last time we spent any private time together was at the a AAO Orbital Gala in 2008 (photo three). At each subsequent Academy meeting I would be sure to at least come up to him and wish him well. We last exchanged emails several months ago.

One of my favorite memories was having Dick tell me the history of the development of the operating microscope for Ophthalmology. Of course he did so much more for us in the field of corneal surgery. Although I have had several members of the Ophthalmology generation preceding me that I've considered very good friends, by far Dick was my number one hero.
- Perry Binder


It was with extreme sadness that I received the news about the passing of Dr. Troutman.
I have very fond memories of Dr. Troutman, during my corneal and refractive surgery fellowship, under his direction, at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City, in 1982. He was truly a gentleman, a fantastic educator and an extraordinary surgeon. His elegance, skill and precision in surgery were second to none, benefiting patients from every corner of the world, during his long years of practice. We, his former fellows, are very grateful to him and considered ourselves very fortunate to have had the privilege to be trained by Dr. Troutman. I always acknowledge, whenever opportunity poses, that my fellowship with Dr. Troutman was the turning point of my professional life.
In 2014, I submitted the name of Dr. Troutman to be in the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame.
The work and example of Dr. Troutman will always be remembered and our gratitude to him will remain forever.
- Fernando Trindade


One of the giants on his shoulders we are standing, many times not recognizing what we all owe to his. Thank you for your life time contributions we use for the sake of our patients! You will never be forgotten.
- Pavel Rozsival


I was an early fellow of Richard's. He sent me to Moorefields High Holburn to study with Frederick Ridely who had developed the concept of a "flush fitting" shell of polymethyl methacrolate. (he scorned the "other" Ridley and condemned IOLs). He had singular success with ocular surface pathologies i.e symblepharon, Stevens Johnson syndrome, bullous keratopathy. I arranged a private grant and set up a clinic at Manhattan Eye and Ear and NYMED Downstate in 1963. Some of our early patients were failed IOLs with bullous keratopathy from Europe.The hydrogel bandage lens replaced the FFS. We were just beginning to understand the endothialopathy of intermittent touch and the time it took for corneal failure and Dick popularized the term "time bomb" which inhibited IOL development in USA for a decade. His perfection of intracap with capsular lysing and the introduction of 10/0 nylon sutures was an art form. However after Cornelius Binkhorst ( his brother and Dick's first wife is another story) demonstrated the value of posterior capsule preservation the world turned and IOLs were cautiously accepted. Richard enthusiastically joined the band wagon. I remember as a resident with Jack Dodick and Richard hauled a microscope into the OR and the senior surgeons scoffed at him through their Zeiss loops. We all marveled at his magical PK's with his 10/0 precision. He was a noble and gentle leader and expanded the scope of ophthalmology.
- Herbert L Gould


- Obituary by Ocular Surgery News

- Obituary by ISRS


 

 

Dennis Shepard (1932 - 2016)

Dennis had a true passion for eye surgery, taking on the most challenging cases, and held nine patents for medical devices and equipment. He also loved to teach and travel; he combined these passions by traveling the world to teach other doctors how to perform the specialized surgeries he had developed and mastered. Dennis was also a mover and shaker in his local community, providing free surgeries to people in need, mentoring students in their pursuit of medical or law degrees, founding local organizations. Many remember him as his son Dan described his father: "He brought tremendous passion and energy to those things that were important to him... he liked to see it move, but he didn't necessarily put himself in front of the camera or on the front steps."


Dennis Shepard (Denny) was one of my best friends and travel companions. I was blessed to know him in the early years of Intraocular Lenses and Refractive Surgery, and learned much from him. He was my partner in the founding and implementation of the ASCRS Film Festival, and in gathering leaders in our field to encourage others in teaching by video. The world will miss him! We have all been blessed by his presence among us!
- Spencer P. Thornton


Denis was an excellent ophthalmologist and an enthusiastic teacher. He came often as guest surgeon to Giessen. We had great days together. My warmest compassion is with Franzisca and her children.
- Karl Jacobi


My deep condolences to the Shepard Family and all his friends for the sad loss of Dennis. We shall miss him. Warmest regards,
- Jorge Alio


I learn with sorrow the sad news about the lost of dear friend Dennis. I remember the first time we met each other in 1979 at the AAO meeting. Our friendship was born in 1980, when we joined a Congress in Egypt and Israel, during which we showed together some works about phacoemulsification. Since then our friendship never ended. Please, offer my sincerest condolences to his Family.



Photo: 1986, in Dr. Fjodorov's office, Moscow



- Thank you, Fabio Dossi


- Obituary by the Statesmen Journal

 

 

Peter Barry ( † 2016)

It is with much sadness that I pass on the news that we have lost another friend and member of IIIC: Peter Barry passed away on May 26, 2016.

Peter's accomplishments as founding member, past president and treasurer of ESCRS are well known. His passion and total commitment to the development of ESCRS has been indispensable in its growth to become one of the most important organizations in Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Peter was the force behind several major studies undertaken by ESCRS that have changed the practice of modern cataract and implant surgery. He was fearless in examining issues that often challenged popular opinions with a determination not be influenced by commercial factors and with a focus on ethics and scientific merit. As such his influence on the scientific program of ESCRS remains one of the reasons for the success of the organization.

Peter was with us recently in new Orleans as he has at almost every IIIC meeting and event I can recall. The very serious approach to matters of scientific studies was balanced by an individual who always had a smile, sense of humour and was wonderful company for those of us who have had the pleasure to have had Peter as a dining companion over the years. As a long standing member of IIIC he brought the same qualities to our club and our dinners and meetings will not be the same without his presence.

On behalf of the executive and all members IIIC I would like extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Carmel, and family David, Stephen, Simon and Lisa. He will be missed by all but his friendship and contributions will not be forgotten.

- Graham Barrett, President of IIIC


I find it unbelievable that Peter is gone! He brought ophthalmology to a higher level, not just in ESCRS but in the entire world. I pray that we may try to emulate his example.
- Spencer Thornton


He was a particularly close friend and a guiding hand for the ESCRS for so many years. You are quite right in high lighting his achievement in establishing our success. He was the driving force behind much of our work and the success of the endophthalmitis study was entirely due to him His work leaves a great legacy
- David Spalton, President ESCRS


I first met Peter almost 15 year ago and he is the person who played pivotal role in my personal involvement with ESCRS. Over these years he was a driving force leading the society. And he did it in a very unique and delicate manner. Being a visionary and having the gift of strategic planning he was very meticulous to every detail of the broad variety of ESCRS activities. Obviously he will be remembered by our professional community due to the ESCRS pivotal study proving the efficacy of intracameral antibiotic prophylaxis of endophthalmitis after cataract survey. This study had a huge impact to the way people practice ophthalmology all over the world. All of us can agree that ESCRS will not be where it is today without his vision and brilliance. I personally enjoyed his unique sence of humor, his great stories and vast life experience he shared generously. This loss was so sudden an so unexpected, that It is very hard to believe that Peter is no more with us.
- Boris Malyugin


- "Ophthalmology community mourns loss of Peter Barry, pillar of ESCRS", Tribute by Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, OSN Global Chief Medical Editor


- Tribute by eyewiretoday

 

 

Albert Galand ( 1938 - 2015)

Member since 1984

Albert Galand, pioneer in IOL design and intracapsular implantation, passed away on December 22, 2015 in his hometown, Liège, Belgium.
Galand realized the importance of implanting the IOL in the capsular bag. Not only did he design a number of IOLs specifically for this purpose, but also he developed a revolutionary approach to the capsulotomy to accomplish this, called the envelope technique, which initially was met with some skepticism. Intercapsula Liège, another of his creations, became a worldwide-recognized meeting where intracapsular fixation was developed and became standard in cataract surgery.*



We are deeply saddened by the news of passing of Prof Albert Galand. Prof Albert was great innovator and human being and we have opportunity to interact with him and share his passion about cataract surgery during conferences. We pray that God will grant the strength to Hafida and his family members. Our most sincere condolences.

- Suresh K Pandey & Vidushi Sharma, SuVi Eye Institute, Kota, India


It is always sad to hear that such people like Albert Galand passed away. Albert was a great teacher for me who became a friend thereafter. One of our first meeting when we can be together more was in Banska Bystrica 1990, organized by M. Izak. Our common meetings were more frequent and expecially time we had together in Bombay (EyeAdvance) was for us important. Albert recognized me and mentioned me also in his speech during IIIC dinner. His envelope technique was procedure of choice for me several years. His wisdom in area of IOL will never be forgotten and he will be missed by many of us.

- Pavel Rozsíval


I am sad to learn of the passing away of Albert. I have had many mutually beneficial exchanges with him, about Intracapsular cataract extraction wih IOLss. Our IIIC community will miss him, and I send my condolences to his widow Hafida, and his family.

- Hemant Mehta


I stayed 2 weeks in Liege to learn the envelop technique from Albert Galand. Since then, Albert and Hifida became very good friends of mine. Albert was one of the nicest and most kind hearted person, always ready to help others. He was brilliant in his surgery and his main strength was his innovative and research-oriented mind set. I owe him a lot for influencing my evolution as a cataract surgeon.

- Abhay R. Vasavada


Albert Galand was my colleague, teacher and friend for many years. We were both devoted to academic ophthalmology, he indeed at the summit of his career, and me at the beginning. I learnt so much from him in the extracapsular times and so much about how to behave in difficult cases, that he is indeed one of the persons who most influenced my performance at the beginning of my surgical education and indeed in my evolution as a cataract surgeon.
His elegant figure, elegant personality, friendly and quiet attitude towards life and colleagues, respectful position in debates and intelligent and crisp mind made him an unforgettable figure. I was also an observer of the love that he had for his family. He is a mentor for everybody and indeed I shall personally miss him a lot in the future. He has disappeared at a moment in which he was still active in surgery, with patients and in cooperation with the industry. Again, a model for all of us who are vocational ophthalmologists and vocational surgeons.
- Jorge L. Alio, Alicante, Spain

His ECCE envelope technique at Liege made me start clear corneal phaco incision. He was my good friend and also was mentor who taught me the view of surgery and his life with "artistry in surgery”. I regret that I cannnot talk with him about surgery anymore. I will miss him so much. My heartfelt condolences go to his widow and children.

- Kimiya Shimizu








- * Tribute by Ocular Surgery News

- Tribute by Donald J. Munro

 

Jan G.H. Worst Jan G.H. Worst ( † 2015)

Jan G.F. Worst passed away on September 25, 2015 in his hometown of Groningen, The Netherlands, surrounded by his family.
While many of us know him as an adamant follower of Sir Harold Ridley and Cornelius Binkhorst as well as an early innovator of IOL design in his own right, his life’s achievements extend to much more. With his Jan Worst Research Group, he created and developed simple tools for cataract surgery that - in combination with the use and distribution of artificial lenses - greatly helped to relieve cataract-induced blindness in developing countries. Not only did he provide free surgical services in small rural villages throughout India, Nepal and Pakistan himself, he never ceased to encourage his colleagues to offer their services to those less fortunate, toward the greater good. In 1999, he was the first recipient of the IIIC’s G. F. Jan Worst Medal and Lectureship with which we continue to honor leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs among us. Jan will be remembered as a true pioneer of IOL design and implantation, for his passion and enthusiasm to advance science and his perseverance to better the life of thousands of patients throughout the world by giving them the gift of sight.
Our thoughts are with Jan’s family.

- Michael C. Knorz, MD, Executive Director of the IIIC


Professor Worst was a man who was deeply committed to his beliefs and to the advancement of Ophthalmology. We have learned so much from his experiences. It’s impossible to put into words how he positively influenced our lives in so many ways. We´ll will indeed miss him as a distinguished professional and better person. One of my greatest honors was to receive the Jan G.F. Worst Medal Award at the ASCRS Boston, Massachussets in 2010, and receive his personal congratulation.
Dear Professor, thank you for your teachings; you will undoubtedly be remembered and honored as a true pioneer in the history of Ophthalmology.

- Roberto Zaldivar, MD


Jan was a real visionary in the IOL field. With his development of the Artisan lens he made one of the greatest contributions to our field, the intraocular lens. I will remember him because of his extraordinary personality and through many other contribution to our field, but in particular because of this ingenious iris claw IOL.

- Thomas Kohnen, MD


When I went to Gronigen in 1974 after the Paris Congress, Jan converted me to the Binkhorst dictum of the preservation of the posterior capsule. He provided me with iridocapsular IOLs as well as other models. He was the ultimate teacher and dazzled us with the analysis of the vitreous. His enthusiasm and energy was a sustaining element in innumerable meetings. His influence accelerated the acceptance of IOLs as our current standard of cataract care.

- Herbert L. Gould, MD (IIIC#78)


Jan Worst was more than a friend, he was a challenge and motivation for excellence. I will long remember our arguments and debates in international meetings. He was a mentor and intellectual stimulator beyond compare. He never hesitated to challenge if he disagreed, and never hesitated to compliment when he agreed. Jan will long be remembered as one of the truly great ophthalmologists of two centuries.

- Spencer P. Thornton, M.D.


It saddens me deeply that Jan is no longer with us. I worked for a few days with him in his laboratory and he also visited us in the Philippines about two or three times. Not known to many was his dedicated study of the vitreous, of its great importance to the integrity of the eye. We now realize his concern in this age of AMD and other retinal diseases. He may have studies of the vitreous hidden in his laboratory which would be invaluable if printed. Jan Worst, we love you.

- - Cosme Naval, M.D.


Sincere condolences for the loss of our distinguished colleague Jan Worst, a great ophthalmologist, innovator, teacher and a good friend. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Society of Intraocular Implant and Refractive Surgery -HSIOIRS, and me personally, please pass our sympathy to his family and his colleagues. Jan will be remembered by all.

- Spyros Georgaras, M.D.


I had the honour and the privilege to meet Jan Worst many times. He was my guest on two occasions in Alicante and I always shared with him his excellent sense of humour, his capability to perform different tasks at the same time and to deal with different innovative thoughts coincidentally and lead them to a correct application. This is why he is an example of translational research, as the ideas from his mind were taken to the lab and later on to a company founded by him. I feel proud of having met this good friend and immensely talented colleague. He is part of the history of ophthalmology from this moment.

- Jorge Alio, M.D.


I have known Jan Worst from the time he finished his Ophthalmology training at the University of Groningen - Netherlands .He was a brilliant student and at that time (years '55 - 60 of 20th century) he was already an outstanding student and worked closely with Prof.Dekking (Eye Clinic University of Groningen NL) in photography and cinematography.
His Ph.D. thesis was a masterpiece in "Congenital glaucoma". He was a polyglot and due to his gymnasium education an adept in English, German and French language as well as Greek and Latin.. He was a genius in inventing ophthalmic instruments and surgery materials as well as implant lenses and an adept, skilled and brilliant surgeon.
It was June 1974 ... in Paris (France) ....at an International Congress in Ophthalmology in the newly opened "Hotel Concorde" and shortly before the openings ceremonies there seemed some serious problem with the ability of the personnel to have the projectors and cinematography function properly... Time was running out.....the room almost packed to capacity...when a young man jumped over the fence that separated the projection part and gave loudly orders in faultless French, English and German to the personnel involved and went in person to the projectors to fix them. And they functioned perfectly. He got a deafening applause and the opening ceremony went on uneventful. This genius was Jan Worst - a young Ophthalmologist from the Netherlands.
After the congress in Paris he and Kees Binkhorst organised a course in intra-ocular implantlens surgery in the Netherlands (Sluiskil and Groningen) for a large group of North American ophthalmologists. At that time I was an Ophthalmologist in the Netherlands and an apprentice of Kees Binkhorst. I often assisted him in Sluiskil (Zeeland Province) and met many ophthalmologists from over the world who came to see and to learn.
He was equal to Prof S.N.Fjodorov from Russia who was also a great and brilliant Ophthalmologist.
It is with deep respect that we remember JAN WORST - the genius Ophthalmologist of the Netherlands.

- Jules van Bochove, MD (Willemstad - Curaçao - Netherlands Antilles), member # 73 of IIIC


Dr. Worst was one of my favourite teacher and person who helped me a lot starting IOLs and phaco. I was admiring him for many years and my personal feelings got higher when I had a possibility to meet with him thanks to his friendship with my best friend John Alpar during several occasions. Famous was his proverb "when technology is mastered disaster will come faster" and presentations with mike showing how dangerous for iris sphincter are iris clip IOLs. He will be remembered by me rest of my life. Honors to his memories.

-Pavel Rozsival


Ophthalmic community grieves Jan Worst, leader in IOL innovation
- with tributes by Richard B. Packard, Emmanuel Rosen, Okihiro Nishi, Camille Budo, Roger and Roberto Zaldivar

 

Bob Sinskey Robert M. Sinskey ( † 2015)

Robert M. Sinskey, MD passed away last week in his 91st year.  All of us remember Bob as a legendary and talented phacoemulsification cataract surgeon, inventor, and teacher.  The early modification of the “J” loop Sinskey posterior chamber IOL in the late 1970s became the most popular style of its time.  The Sinskey hook that was originally made as a companion to position the IOL optic is likely the most widely used eye surgical instrument to this day.  In more recent years Bob developed a strabismus procedure to manage congenital nystagmus.  That operation is gaining foothold at the current time.

Bob had the “vision” to recognize the benefit of “phaco” and originated a method of “one hand” posterior chamber phacoemulsification that matched his very gifted surgical skills and that was far kinder to the cornea than the original anterior chamber method described by Kelman.  Along with another Southern California pioneer, Dick Kratz, he organized the first West Coast teaching courses for phaco that helped transition many to small incision cataract surgery.  He also taught and performed guest surgery in a large number of international locations.  As a result, he had a major impact on cataract surgery around the globe.  Bob also had a remarkable opportunity after World War II.  He was assigned to Japan in the early 1950s to study the effects of the nuclear bombs on cataract formation.  As a result he was among the world’s leading experts on radiation cataract.

Although Bob made major lifetime contributions to the clinical management of cataract he had other interests.  Bob was an intense wine hobbyist whose passion led him to found his own winery in the Napa Valley in the 1980s; it is among the most beautiful and well kept in the region.  Today the Sinskey label is recognized on fine wine lists around the globe; his son, Rob, manages the family winery.

Bob was also remarkably generous with time as a teacher and mentor, as his many Fellows will attest.  From a personal standpoint he shared greatly valued advice (and good wine) with me.

He and his lovely wife Loraine made major contributions leading to the development of the Sinskey Eye Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Bob’s long term goal of establishing a permanent eye institute dedicated to cataract in Ethiopia was realized a few years ago in conjunction with local medical personnel and the ASCRS Foundation.  Bob was a IIIC member, was Past President of ASCRS, and was elected to the ASCRS Hall of Fame.

Samuel Masket, MD


- Tribute by Richard Lindstrom

- Tribute by ASCRS, including video footage

 

George O. Waring III George O. Waring III (1941 - 2015)

It is with great sadness we received the news of the recent loss of one of the most esteemed members of the IIIC, George Waring. George’s contributions to refractive surgery and implants are legendary. His leading role in the PERK study was the landmark for serious academic studies in this area and was instrumental in the fledgling field of refractive surgery becoming accepted as an integral part of modern ophthalmic surgery. His legacy as an educator and tutor live on in the many fellows whose careers he nurtured and in the Journal of Refractive Surgery which he established as Editor-in- Chief for over two decades.

George was an enthusiastic member of the IIIC and every gathering of our members benefited from his brilliant intellect and warm friendship. He participated enthusiastically in our biannual retreats and I treasure the memories of the times spent together and the many conversations we enjoyed. His presence will be missed by all but I remain grateful for having the privilege of knowing and enjoying the friendship of a special individual whose insights, enthusiasm and good humour enriched us all.

On behalf of all members of IIIC we extend our condolences to his wife Fariba and his family.

Graham Barrett, President IIIC

- Remembering George O. Waring III, MD - ISRS Member Communication

 

Norman Jaffe Norman S. Jaffe ( † 2015)

Member Since 1974

“Norman Jaffe is really the American pioneer of intraocular lens implantation. Norman was also an outstanding surgeon, an outstanding educator, and wrote the definitive book on cataract surgery. So we have a real giant in our midst.”
- Stephen A. Obstbaum

- Tribute by ASCRS including video footage

- Tribute by ASCRS EyeWorld

 

Arthur Lim Arthur S. Lim ( † 2015)

Member Since 1977












 

Richard P. Kratz Richard P. Kratz ( † 2015)

Member Since 1974

- Tribute by Richard Lindstrom














 

Norval Christy (1922 - 2013)

- Tribute by Jerre Minor Freemann, May 2013


Since few of us remember or personally know Norval Christy, we include a recent video interview that features his life's work: