1) How did you become interested in cataract surgery?
I was born into a medical family — my father, mother, grandpa, grandma and some other relatives are doctors.

During my ophthalmology coursework, I was lucky to meet Professor Svyatoslav Fyodorov. After spending a couple of hours in his clinic, in Moscow, I had no doubt about my future profession. I started my residency in the corneal surgery department and then entered the department headed by Professor Fyodorov, which mostly focused on cataract and implant technologies. This, beside my personal interest, was one reason that I became involved in extensive research and clinical studies on modern cataract surgery techniques.

In Russia, we had two waves of phaco surgery: The first was in the 1970s, only a few years after Charles D. Kelman, MD, started phaco in the United States. Shortly after its introduction, complications arose and the technique was abandoned. The new incarnation of modern phaco started in the 1990s. I was one of the first enthusiastic surgeons to perform phaco; in Russia, I organized the first phaco course, phaco club, newspaper and conducted the first phaco meetings.

2) You recently invented the IQ-ring. How did you come up with the idea?
A lot of inventions are around us, and one has to be observant and thoughtful enough to look at the surrounding world with open eyes. The idea for the IQ-ring (*Editor's Note: The IQ-ring is manufactured by S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Complex, Moscow, Russia) came to me when I saw how the curled tendril of a plant catches the leaf. This was the main idea behind the IQ-ring — the principle of iris margin fixation. The device looks so simple, but only uncomplicated things work well. This is especially true in surgery.

My device is widely accepted by the ophthalmic community in my country, but it took as long as 5 years of improving the ring, researching and conducting clinical tests. I hope the international surgeons will also accept this technology.

3) What is the process that you go through to develop a product, perfect your idea and bring it into practical use?
The ideas presented during any development come in three main stages. The first one is when people say, "That is nonsense" or "It's impossible." The second stage is when they say, "There is something in this idea," and finally, the third stage is when people say, "Everybody knows this, there is nothing new in it." Currently, the IQ-ring is somewhere between the first and second stages; someday I hope to enter stage three. And, I have no doubt that Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today Europe will be not the least part of this story.

4) What kind of support (financial and technical) is needed to design a product or innovation?
Innovations differ: Some are technologically complex, and others are more simple. Sufficient financing is important for technologically complex innovations. In my case, the IQ-ring is a very good idea, and the device is not very complicated.

To design an innovation, first you need to be in the right place at right time. Imagine if this idea came to me. but I was not able to convince a manufacturer to produce the first samples. Second, the inventor has to be very persistent and self-motivated. They must see the goal clearly and move toward it without worrying about temporary difficulties. To create something is always difficult — no matter how simple it looks. Third, you will need a team of people to help and direct your attention to important aspects that you may not see. Finance is always an issue, and the inventor must be able to deal with this important aspect of the job.

5) What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
The best thing in my job is the surgery; you can see the result and it is very objective and demonstrative. The second most important thing, quick feedback, allows you to immediately respond and correct what you are doing — change your technique, improve it and try once again to see the improved result. This is an interactive and fascinating process.

The other thing I like about my job is that I not only manipulate with my hands, but I also use and train my brain to be skillful and up-to-date. During my career, I have met so many ingenious and talented people including my first teacher, Professor Fyodorov, and I have learned a lot from them. I am still learning!