As we prepare to begin 2020—a symbolic year for ophthalmology—a recap of the year coming to its close is, in my opinion, mandatory reading. In the article “Best Pearls of 2019,” our passionate and well-respected colleagues from around the world share the top tips and tricks that they learned in 2019. Hopefully we can all take advantage of their wisdom by incorporating some of their strategies, both surgical and clinical, into our own practices.
“Highlights of 2019,” an article in which some of our colleagues share their thoughts on the top technologies and scientific breakthroughs of the year, serves as a perfect complement to the “Best Pearls of 2019” article. This year was full of innovation, and it is nice to see what specific technologies have been the most impressive to our fellow ophthalmologists.
Continuing the recap of 2019, the top 10 Eyetube videos of the year are described. Eyetube is the best collection of surgical videos available to eye surgeons around the world. With just the click of a button, you can transport yourself—so to speak—into the OR of a colleague in India, Germany, the United States, and even my home country of Greece, and learn from that colleague’s experience. Watching videos of other surgeons’ mishaps and mistakes can help you to evolve your surgical skills and hopefully ensure that the same mistakes can be avoided or managed better in your own practice. The top 10 videos chosen this year do not disappoint.
Another highlight in our review of this year is the list of 2019 winners of the CRST Europe photo contest. I cannot hide my excitement in seeing these spectacular images. We ophthalmologists are privileged to work with one of the most important senses that humans possess and privileged more still to work with an organ that is so amenable to the tremendous modes of imaging that can produce these spectacular photos.
So, with the closing of this year, I leave you my best wishes for personal and professional prosperity. I hope you enjoy yourselves during the holiday break and, of course, I hope you enjoy as much as I have this final issue of 2019.
A. John Kanellopoulos, MD
Associate Chief Medical Editor
