During the American Glaucoma Society meeting in March, seven prominent glaucoma specialists gathered to discuss the impact and contributions of female glaucoma specialists, and raising their profile. The focus of this discussion was to inspire female ophthalmologists to consider a career as glaucoma specialists. Together, they explored the merits, rewards, and challenges of glaucoma care.
Marlene R. Moster, MD: Let us begin by discussing what a glaucoma specialist does and why we believe this a specialty where women can excel. Dr. Miller?
• Eydie G. Miller, MD: As glaucoma specialists, our focus is on patients who have a potentially blinding disease. We educate them about their glaucoma, explain the therapies we prescribe, and emphasize the importance of adhering to their treatment plan. But most of the actual work of glaucoma is done by patients at home. Thus, it’s important that they understand why we’ve made specific recommendations for them, so they engage with their therapy. I believe women are very good at communicating with patients and educating them.
Dr. Moster: What is the usual pathway to a specialty in glaucoma?
• Mildred M.G. Olivier, MD: Usually, a physician will do a fellowship in glaucoma with an emphasis on postoperative care. And to answer your earlier question, I will add that I think women can excel in everything!
Dr. Moster: What has been the catalyst for your growth and success?
• Lorraine M. Provencher, MD: There are many factors, but if I had to name just one, I think mentorship has been a catalyst at every stage of my career. A mentor inspired me to go into glaucoma, and mentors inspire me every day to continue to grow. Not only do mentors teach, advise, and inspire, they can be sponsors for opportunities that take your career to new heights.
• Christine L. Larsen MD: I sought out and was fortunate to join a practice where the partners are very supportive. We often use the phrase, “A rising tide raises all boats,” in economic terms. But I have experienced this in practice, as well. My partners have supported every endeavor that I’ve undertaken—research or teaching roles, for example—and I return that favor in supporting their career goals. We cheer each other on and celebrate each other’s successes. I think that’s important to look for in a practice, particularly for those who are just finishing their training.
FINDING INSPIRATION IN FELLOW WOMEN PHYSICIANS
Dr. Moster: We’ve all had many mentors who have been key to our growth. They have nurtured us, and they’ve inspired us. What contributions have women physicians in our field made that have given you the fortitude to follow in their footsteps? What would you say women have contributed to ophthalmology?
• Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD: The female physicians who have gone before us have opened the doors for us and have been great leaders. For example, Dr. Eve Higginbotham at the University of Illinois was one of our glaucoma specialists. She was a junior faculty member, and she was quite inspirational, not only in my choice to go into glaucoma, but also of being a female glaucoma clinician scientist. I think many of us have had female mentors, whether in glaucoma or not, who have inspired us.
• Dr. Miller: My mentor was also Dr. Eve Higginbotham, and she exposed me to the field of glaucoma. Near the end of my training, while we were discussing subspecialties—I had been considering the cornea and anterior segment—Dr. Higginbotham said, “Glaucoma needs you.” She is currently the vice dean for inclusion and diversity of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where I’m on the faculty. She continues to mentor not only me, but many women in ophthalmology. She was the first Black woman chair and one of the first female chairs of an ophthalmology department. She has opened many doors to opportunities that most women didn’t think were possible for them professionally.
Dr. Anne Coleman, our colleague on this panel, has also mentored me. About 15 years ago, she invited me to serve on a major educational committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which led to additional opportunities.
• Dr. Olivier: Dr. Higginbotham mentored me, as well, when I was a medical student rotating through ophthalmology at the University of Illinois. She transitioned to running the office of diversity and inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania, and then I became the assistant dean for diversity and inclusion at Chicago Medical School. Seeing somebody who looks like me really did help me see the possibilities of being able to think outside the box.
(Learn more about influential women and mentors in glaucoma in the sidebars throughout these pages.)
THE FEMALE ADVANTAGE
Dr. Moster: In what ways do you feel patients benefit from having a physician who is female? Where do you think we shine?
• Dr. Provencher: It’s crucial to be a good communicator when it comes to glaucoma. It’s a tough, lifelong disease. Patients see us frequently, and the follow-up and treatment can be a big burden on them. A strong doctor-patient relationship is important, particularly when you’re recommending surgery and, to the patient, everything seems “fine.” Also, if treatment adherence is poor, we want patients to feel they can be honest with us and tell us about any difficulties they’re having, whether it’s with instilling their drops or paying for their medications, for example. Having a warm, caring, comfortable relationship facilitates open discussions. Everyone can be a great communicator and listener, but that’s something I take pride in and embrace as a woman.
Dr. Moster: Compliance is one of our greatest challenges in treating glaucoma. Do you find that strong patient communication unveils more compliance issues than someone who is not focused on the personal side of communication? Do you think your patients confide in you more?
• Dr. Barbour: In a case where community-based patient management is very important, being a woman is highly regarded. I feel that my patients form a bond or a connection with me, which is important in terms of managing their expectations, particularly regarding glaucoma surgery. When there is transparency on both sides, patients are honest about their compliance and, in turn, I can be more aggressive with my approach and my strategy for a particular situation.
• Dr. Olivier: What I love about glaucoma practice is that we usually have more time to build trust, because we’re caring for these patients for a long time. They might not be compliant or adherent in the beginning, but as we get to know one another, we build that trust. Then it becomes easier to say, “Remember when I told you about that surgery five years ago? Well, we’re at that point again.”
I also think about building trust when we talk about diversity in the workforce. When someone speaks your same language, that trust may come faster.
Listening is another valuable skill. I believe women often listen better to what patients are saying and, therefore, are better able to address the issues, as opposed to just telling patients what they’d like to do. If you really listen to patients’ issues or their social determinants of health or even what happened that they couldn’t get to an appointment, then it helps to figure out a solution.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Dr. Moster: Social media platforms have become a part of our daily lives. How has social media affected your career and your practice, and what strategies or social media platforms do you recommend?
Dr. Barbour: In today’s environment, it’s important to have a social media presence. It’s where patients go to find information about you and to research treatment modalities and surgical procedures.
My strategy is to choose one, two, or three platforms that are important for me to express myself, to share information about my practice, and to show patients that I am accessible. Providing actionable information—something as simple as a phone number, for example—will encourage patients and the community to connect with me and my practice.
My strategy is to promote certain aspects of myself and my practice. First, I formulate an idea to target a specific audience. This can be presented as a flyer or a live video to 40- to 60-year-olds on Facebook during the middle of the week. Then, I decide on specific information I want to convey, and I put that information together in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. I may use a graphic design platform like Canva (canva.com) to create a catchy flyer. I personalize it with my headshot and title, and I frequently include a brief paragraph with concise information about new glaucoma treatments, for example. I find that hashtags are superlative to draw in an even larger audience. You can choose to promote the posting for a small fee, or you can simply leave it there and allow others to comment. I will often tag my ophthalmology colleagues, because it draws even more of the captive online audience and improves visibility to my posts.
We find most of our mature patients are on Facebook and our younger patients are on Instagram. My front office staff is responsible for posting on all platforms on a weekly basis. They choose topics from reliable sources and newsworthy events such as Glaucoma Awareness Month. Information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology website or other trusted sources is plentiful, and we are encouraged to copy and paste for the purpose.
Our social media posts are not always about bringing people into the office. We’re disseminating information that’s purposeful, and patients in the community appreciate that.
BEING IN PRACTICE vs ACADEMIA WORK
Dr. Moster: What practice options are there for women in glaucoma? What is the landscape of possibilities?
• Dr. Coleman: Essentially, everything is available—private practice, academia, managed care. You also have the opportunity to work with a county hospital or community outreach in a public health office. Many options are available.
• Dr. Barbour: We also have opportunities to educate others in the medical community by participating in clinical trials and educational programs at major conferences. Being able to share my experiences and clinical expertise in a manner that can help other physicians is an important aspect of my practice.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
MARLENE R. MOSTER, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: Dr. Vincente Jocson at University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear inspired me to go into glaucoma during my residency. He was a master surgeon, who could do a perfect trabeculectomy in what seemed like the blink of an eye. His dedication to his patients and knowledge of glaucoma made me want to follow in his footsteps.
Q: Were there any female ophthalmologists who mentored you early in your career?
A: I was fortunate to have both mentors and colleagues who inspired me. First, in medical school, Dr. Barbara Streeten was a class A ocular pathologist who paved the way for me to become an ophthalmologist. She made the amazingly complex simple to understand, was gentle and simultaneously bold. She was mesmerizing.
While at Wills, Dr. Elisabeth Cohen, cornea specialist, was an incredible physician to emulate. She was a smart, savvy surgeon, researcher, and mother. I have always followed her advice: “If you can throw money at something to make your life easier, do it. You won’t die rich, but you’ll die happy!”
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist is turning this awful disease around. When a patient is referred to me after failed surgeries elsewhere, and we are able to not only lower the IOP, but stabilize the vision and the visual field, that’s a home run. It makes all the stress of dealing with complications worth it.
Dr. Moster: I’m in academia and private practice—a hybrid setting, so to speak. Many of you are totally academic, and some of you are in private practice exclusively. What made you decide which course to pursue as a glaucoma specialist?
• Dr. Coleman: There are different priorities that influence how people look at that decision. One determining factor is the opportunities that are available when you’re ready to enter the workforce. That makes a big difference. The decision may also be influenced by a desire to live in a specific region or area of the country. That also makes a difference. Are there opportunities in that area or not?
I think people can have misconceptions about academia, because they know only the academic institutions where they trained; however, not all academic institutions are the same. That was enlightening to me when I went to UCLA, which was very different from the training environment at Johns Hopkins or even at the University of Illinois.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
MONIQUE M. BARBOUR, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: My inspiration for specializing in glaucoma was multifaceted. First and foremost, compassion and empathy play a huge role in disease management. Decision-making in glaucoma requires intensely deep conversations and a conveyance of trustworthiness to patients. In this arena, we have the unique opportunity to understand our patients’ lifestyle needs. Second, innovation and research are truly cutting-edge in the glaucoma space. Novel surgical techniques and medical delivery devices keep me at the forefront of ophthalmology advancement.
Q: Were there any female ophthalmologists who mentored you early in your career?
A: As a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine, I was mentored by several African American women in ophthalmology. Dr. Angela Perry and Dr. Sade Kosoko were my mentors very early in my career, and they inspired me to become an ophthalmologist. I believe that my encounters with these women were truly my very first experiences of witnessing powerful, educated women who had achieved what I thought was impossible. Knowing their significant accomplishments gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming an ophthalmologist.
Dr. Debbie Wilson inspired me to consider a glaucoma fellowship with the intention that through our practices we would be able work hand-in-hand through national initiatives and potentially aid millions who are suffering with this blinding disease.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: Being able to perform emergency, sight-saving surgery is most rewarding. Having successfully operated on several eyes of patients who presented with acute pain accompanied by a high IOP has given me skills that translate to the ultimate surgeon self-confidence.
Dr. Moster: Would you agree that before someone makes that decision—private practice vs academia—they do their homework to decide what culture in what institution makes the most sense for them and their ultimate happiness? Would you agree?
• Dr. Coleman: Yes. But I also think you have to be willing to change. That’s something to consider. If you go to a practice or an academic institution and find that it’s not fitting with your culture and your values, or it’s just not working for you, then you need to be comfortable with making a change.
• Dr. Olivier: My experience led me to that realization. After I finished my fellowship and was looking to go back to the Chicago area, I reached out to some academic institutions, but they didn’t have any full-time positions at that time, so someone suggested I look at part-time positions. I applied to a program at a different facility along with another applicant, a man. They hired the man for a full-time position because he had a family. I was single, so I was hired for a part-time position. I remember thinking how unfair that was. Then, I had to negotiate not having call and not working weekends. As I was doing that, I wondered, “Why am I working for somebody else?”
That was when I decided to start my own practice. I could locate it where I wanted it, I could see the types of patients I wanted to care for, and I could look for a hospital that was willing to bring on a glaucoma specialist to fulfill a need. That’s when I started pivoting.
I still wanted to be involved with academia, because I think residents, fellows, and medical students keep you on your toes in terms of learning new techniques and asking questions about why you do something the way you do it. I find that curiosity and the teaching aspect to be great. I ended up working in both private practice and academia, and that was good for me.
• Dr. Provencher: I’m a hybrid practitioner, as well. When I was choosing my practice setting, I wasn’t trying to choose academics vs. private practice. I was trying to find the right place and the right practice. At the time, I admit I had somewhat of a misconception. I was under the impression that academicians were busier after hours, which could potentially take away from a family life. Now that I’m hybrid, but mostly in private practice, I’m confident that I’m just as busy as I would be in academia. How busy you are has more to do with your personality—how likely you are to say “yes”—and how much of a go-getter you are. I mention this because I wouldn’t want this misconception to negatively influence someone else’s decision to pursue academics. I think we need more women in academia who can have a family and be mentors for other women.
• Dr. Miller: I’ve been an academic my entire career, but when I started, I didn’t decide, “I’m going to be an academic ophthalmologist.” After I completed my fellowship at Yale, they offered me a job, and I happened to also meet the man who became my husband. So, I figured, “If I’m in a city where I met my husband and I got a job at the same time, I think I’m meant to stay here.” Then I kept the door open to other opportunities. It turned out that I found my passion for teaching and education, as well as taking care of a complex group of glaucoma patients. You just have to go with the flow and take the opportunities when they present themselves.
• Dr. Larsen: I agree. Fortunately, I think there are many hybrid options. That’s something I wasn’t as aware of when I finished my training, but I think those types of opportunities are wonderful. To be able to teach keeps you on your toes and aware of the newest technology, and the research opportunities that might typically be associated with an academic setting can also be found in a private practice. The hybrid model can provide the benefits of both worlds. I agree with Dr. Miller. Take opportunities as they come. Say yes to anything that sounds appealing, if you feel like it points you in the direction that you want to go.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
ANNE L. COLEMAN, MD, PHD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: Dr. Eve Higginbotham, Dr. Jacob Wilensky, and the glaucoma patients themselves inspired me to specialize in glaucoma.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: For me, it’s simply the honor of being a part of my patient’s life journey for decades.
THE VALUE OF BUILDING A TEAM
Dr. Moster: Being a physician, being a woman physician and a glaucoma specialist in particular, leads to being a team player. We’ve been on many teams, and many of them have encouraged the success of ourselves and others. What are the secrets of being a great team player?
• Dr. Miller: First, you have to realize that none of us can do this alone. Within our offices, the team consists of technicians and all staff members, from the front desk to the back office. You have to respect every member of the team. Everyone has to feel valued. During the pandemic, we learned the expression “essential employees,” and we are surrounded by people who are essential for our survival and to make things work. After experiencing staff changes in the last few years, I think we appreciate the value of the team even more. If you can’t be a team player, if you don’t make sure everyone knows their value, if you can’t be inclusive in terms of your decision-making and management, you’re just not going to survive.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: I’ve always appreciated the long-term care aspect of glaucoma and the ability to develop a strong relationship with my patients as I care for them throughout their lifetime. As a glaucoma specialist, I feel I truly have a partnership with my patients, and I am honored that they put their trust in me to help maintain their vision to the best of my ability.
Q: Were there any female ophthalmologists who mentored you early in your career?
A: Dr. Martha Wright has been an inspiration to me since I started practicing in the Twin Cities. In addition to her excellence as a glaucoma clinician and surgeon, she served as the Residency Program Director at the University of Minnesota for many years, is active in the American Board of Ophthalmology, and now serves as the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Minneapolis VA. These accomplishments are in addition to raising twin children, as I am currently doing. Although I recognize the idea of “doing it all” may be fallacy, she has been a wonderful example to me of balancing a strong clinic and academic career with family and home.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: I never tire of making connections with patients while educating them about their disease. I find it so important to take the time to discuss what causes glaucoma, the natural history, the implications for family members, and the advancements that have been made in both surgical and clinical treatment. When patients are armed with the knowledge, they become much more invested in their own care. You often can often capture the “light bulb moment” and know that you now have a working partnership in preserving vision.
OPTIMIZING YOUR INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
Dr. Moster: What do you think our connections with the industry should be, and how do you approach that possibility?
• Dr. Larsen: I think connections with the industry enable us to grow within our practice. I particularly value those connections that have offered me opportunities to participate in clinical research trials, enabling me to bring new technology to my patients before many folks have access to those devices or medications.
• Dr. Barbour: I believe industry connections are critical to clinical practice, in particular when it comes to seeing new products, new medications, and new surgical devices. Often, the first point of exposure to cutting-edge technology is an industry salesperson or a regional director who visits your practice to introduce you to a new medication or device. These interactions give you the chance to learn more about these products in a relaxed environment and offer the unique opportunity to consider new options for your patients. The willingness to engage with industry representatives will give you a sense of how new products will work out in your patient population. I think those connections are critical for the advancement of clinical practice.
• Dr. Miller: Industry connections are important, not only in terms of clinical practice but also in terms of education for residents. Many industry partners provide supplies, instruments, and so forth, giving residents opportunities to learn how to use them. When these physicians go out and practice, they have experienced the breadth of what’s available to make better decisions. I believe the industry’s support of residency training programs is valuable. Typically, they have representatives whose job it is to support resident and fellow education.
• Dr. Olivier: I would echo the value of education, but I also think about education in terms of our patients and how we provide that. If I were to challenge industry, I would say they need to diversify, to make sure that clinical trials include people who reflect the U.S. population. If they’re going to sponsor a trial, they should pressure the organization or the individuals involved to include representative numbers of women and minorities. As physicians, specifically glaucoma specialists, we must reach out to those patients, and if there is a medication or a device that’s appropriate for them, we need to know that it’s accessible to all. And if cost is a barrier, there should be programs that support the people who can’t afford it.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
EYDIE G. MILLER, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: As a resident, I saw so many glaucoma patients who had lost vision. Most of them were poorly educated about their disease, which led to their not adhering to their recommended glaucoma medications and office visit schedule, and which negatively impacted their outcomes. I enjoyed talking to them, establishing a partnership to preserve their vision. The majority of these patients were Black and had never had a Black doctor until they met me.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: The most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist is having the opportunity to form long-term relationships with my patients. Depending on the severity of their glaucoma, I see them two to four times per year, and more often than that if they’ve had surgery. I’ve met their family and their friends. An office visit can be a mini social event!
THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE CHALLENGE
Dr. Moster: One of the biggest challenges for me, and I imagine for all of you, has been creating work-life balance, striving to be successful as a physician while also being the best parent, an excellent spouse or partner, and an excellent caregiver. How does being a glaucoma specialist fit into the work-life balance equation, an equation that is so important to your mental health and the overall success of your career?
• Dr. Larsen: I’ve had an interesting past year in terms of conceptualizing the idea of work-life balance. When I started in practice, I didn’t have kids, but now I have soon-to-be 1-year-old twins and a 5-year-old child at home. So I’ve seen the seasons of my life change from not having to focus on children initially, to now having them as a primary area of my focus. Personally, I don’t view work-life balance as something to be maintained on an everyday basis, but rather as seasons of different focus and priorities. Sometimes I’m more focused on work obligations. Sometimes I’m more focused on family obligations. It’s difficult to maintain a 50/50 work-life balance on a day-to-day basis. Instead, I approach it as more of a waxing and waning journey, and that’s been helpful for my mental health as I move along in my career.
• Dr. Barbour: I’ve become a master at work-life balance! I’ve figured out that my personal time is between 6 a.m. and about 8 or 8:15 a.m. After that, I enjoy time with my family—I have children, too—preparing breakfast and providing other supportive activities from about 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Then I drive 45 minutes to my office where I see patients until about 6 p.m. When I arrive home around 7 p.m., family time resumes. After 9 p.m., I enjoy some personal time to play piano or read, so I may fit in one or two of those activities during the week, which lasts until it’s time to retire for the evening. This routine has worked for me for many years. I’m not sure how all of you are structuring your day, but I think it’s a good way to start.
• Dr. Olivier: To help me achieve work-life balance, I consulted a professional, an executive coach, and together we discussed what my priorities are in my personal life and my academic life. That helped me to navigate through the current challenges, refocusing on short- and long-term goals for my personal and professional life, and it enabled me to make decisions that would lead to work-life balance. Those consultations helped a great deal, because I just couldn’t do it myself. Sometimes, we get stuck because we keep saying “yes.” I chose what I would say “yes” to in glaucoma: women’s issues, diversity in medicine, and humanitarian issues with training the trainer, so that they can sustain practicing in their own environment. But things do come up unexpectedly. You have to keep reflecting and asking, “What is it that I want for this decade or the next five years?” as you get older and priorities change.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
LORRAINE M. PROVENCHER, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: As a resident, I was drawn to the long-term, meaningful relationships that glaucoma specialists develop with their patients. I really enjoy getting to know people over time and taking care of them during the often intense postoperative periods.
Q: Were there any female ophthalmologists who mentored you early in your career?
A: Dr. Sayoko Moroi, my fellowship director at the University of Michigan, who is now the Chair of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State College of Medicine, was always an inspiration to me. She is a powerful and successful clinician, scientist, teacher, and leader, but she still embodies femininity through kindness to colleagues, an inquisitive concern for others, hard work, and an endless devotion to patients—all while raising a family!
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: Glaucoma care can be a rollercoaster for the patient (and the physician). I love celebrating wins with my patients—fewer drops, stable tests, good IOPs, great post-op outcomes, and so on. The tough times make the good times so much sweeter, so much more rewarding.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Dr. Moster: What are the greatest challenges you’ve encountered in your career? What did you have to overcome as a female glaucoma specialist?
• Dr. Barbour: One challenge that I deal with on a daily basis is that patients often don’t understand that I am the doctor to whom they’ve been referred. I am that fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist, Black woman, physician who will perform their surgery. I have to repeat that dialogue with a smile every day and convey the intelligent conversation that confidently convinces patients to trust me.
• Dr. Provencher: I’ve been challenged by how difficult it is to make patients understand the gravity of their disease. As physicians, we have a long-term view of what glaucoma can do, and to the patient, everything seems okay at the moment. This situation is the exact opposite of what a cornea, retina, or cataract surgeon experiences. Patients come to them so they can make them better. Patients come to us so we can keep them stable.
It can be frustrating when patients don’t trust us, particularly when we lose sleep over them and genuinely care! Having MD or DO or OD behind your name does not immediately win trust these days. It’s something you have to earn, and I do think being a woman, especially a young woman, can make this even more challenging.
• Dr. Larsen: As we discussed earlier, I believe that as female physicians, our ability to listen and communicate well enables us to have good working relationships with our patients and to gain their trust. But you have to move past their initial reaction of, “Oh, you’re the doctor?”
I’m something of a case study, in that my husband is also a glaucoma specialist. While it’s not uncommon for a patient to say to me, “I thought you were going to be a man,” my husband tells me that no patient has ever said they thought he’d be a woman. Those are the situations that we encounter as female physicians. Once we get beyond that initial challenge, we can develop a valuable relationship with patients for the long term.
• Dr. Moster: When I first started practicing after fellowship, I joined Dr. Richard Wilson in practice. He was a prominent physician in Philadelphia, nationally respected, and became president of the American Glaucoma Society. He’d refer new patients to me, and when I’d walk in, they were horrified. “You’re not Dr. Wilson,” they’d say. “That is true. Now can we proceed?” I’d reply. Then I’d explain just who I am and what the plan is, all while working to gain the patient’s trust. As others have mentioned, this is the biggest hurdle, but I think trust comes with time. It’s a process, and it’s a fulfilling process, because when you’re recognized as an expert and patients are coming specifically to see you, it’s a satisfying point in everyone’s career.
BEING A WOMAN IN GLAUCOMA:
MILDRED M.G. OLIVIER, MD
Q: What—or who—inspired you to specialize in glaucoma?
A: While caring for glaucoma patients during my residency, I was struck by the possibility that patients could become blind. With my American-Haitian background, I am quite familiar with the prevalence of blindness in families, and I became interested in learning how to help patients avoid that devastating outcome. That sparked my passion for the field, particularly because Black people are at higher risk of losing vision from glaucoma. Also during my residency, I gave a presentation on diabetes that included a section on diabetic retinopathy. That experience shed a light on my interest in ocular conditions that could cause permanent or significant damage to vision.
Dr. Rajendra Bansal, our glaucoma specialist, also helped to mold me into this subspecialty by doing cases with me and showing an interest in mentoring and helping me with my career choice. It was clear that this specialty would be challenging and that I could help preserve vision in individuals and communities that are affected by this disease.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a glaucoma specialist?
A: I loved being able to get to know my patients. I tried to treat everyone like they were family, and over time, we got to know each other well. I had a holistic view of their lives, sometimes seeing them every day and at home under the stress of their eye concerns. This experience gave me joy.
CONCLUSION
Dr. Moster: This has been an amazing discussion about women in glaucoma. I thank our panelists for their excellent, honest, and informative answers. All of you are truly a brain trust and formidable at all levels of your career. I’d also like to thank our program sponsor, Thea Pharma, for supporting for this panel discussion. ■