Why doesn't the ACS have protocols in regard to surgeons vision. I am working with a surgeon in NJ who lost his eyesight in one eye about 7 years ago, yet he continues to do abdominal surgery. I asked my ophthalmologist if he had to report significant visual loss to ACS and he said, "no." But, he said that it would be expected for the surgeon to use good judgement and withdraw from performing surgery. I understand that over time surgeons may develop the need for glasses to maximize their vision, but in this case there is no corrective measure possible. A large visual field cut is concerning to me. Would love to know your thoughts.
Why doesn't the ACS have protocols in regard to a surgeons vision. I am working with a surgeon in NJ who lost his eyesight in one eye about 7 years ago, yet he continues to do abdominal surgery. I asked my ophthalmologist if he had to report significant visual loss to ACS and he said, "no." But, he said that it would be expected for the surgeon to use good judgement and withdraw from performing surgery. I understand that over time surgeons may develop the need for glasses to optimize their vision, but in this case there is no corrective measure possible. A large visual field cut is concerning to me. Would love to know your thoughts.
Sorry to take so long to respond. I am not yet very organized in reviewing comments on my posts and providing timely replies. You raise an interesting point. What physical disability or degree of disability, should call into question a surgeon's ability to practice his or her craft? An excellent pediatric surgeon that I worked with in my residency had a terrible tremor in both hands. Even today, I look back in disbelief that he could operate successfully on tiny infants and do such a masterful job of it. His patients all did very well. I have run across physicians with vision issues several times. One was a c0-resident who wanted to become an ophthalmologist. He was turned down for training in this specialty because he had poor visual depth-of-field. He went on to become a radiologist. I knew a very good orthopedic surgeon who lost one eye to melanoma and successfully returned to surgery. Loss of an eye results in a deficit in depth-of-field that is provided by binocular vision, but this can be compensated for, to a degree. The degree of compensation would, I think, depend on the individual; some are more adaptable than others. You are correct in your concern about the policing of medicine by its own practitioners. I do not feel we do a very good job of this. I think part of the problem is that all of us subscribe to the dictum those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Once again, a brilliant article! Written with clarity and indisputable.
Why doesn't the ACS have protocols in regard to surgeons vision. I am working with a surgeon in NJ who lost his eyesight in one eye about 7 years ago, yet he continues to do abdominal surgery. I asked my ophthalmologist if he had to report significant visual loss to ACS and he said, "no." But, he said that it would be expected for the surgeon to use good judgement and withdraw from performing surgery. I understand that over time surgeons may develop the need for glasses to maximize their vision, but in this case there is no corrective measure possible. A large visual field cut is concerning to me. Would love to know your thoughts.
Why doesn't the ACS have protocols in regard to a surgeons vision. I am working with a surgeon in NJ who lost his eyesight in one eye about 7 years ago, yet he continues to do abdominal surgery. I asked my ophthalmologist if he had to report significant visual loss to ACS and he said, "no." But, he said that it would be expected for the surgeon to use good judgement and withdraw from performing surgery. I understand that over time surgeons may develop the need for glasses to optimize their vision, but in this case there is no corrective measure possible. A large visual field cut is concerning to me. Would love to know your thoughts.
Hi Barbara,
Sorry to take so long to respond. I am not yet very organized in reviewing comments on my posts and providing timely replies. You raise an interesting point. What physical disability or degree of disability, should call into question a surgeon's ability to practice his or her craft? An excellent pediatric surgeon that I worked with in my residency had a terrible tremor in both hands. Even today, I look back in disbelief that he could operate successfully on tiny infants and do such a masterful job of it. His patients all did very well. I have run across physicians with vision issues several times. One was a c0-resident who wanted to become an ophthalmologist. He was turned down for training in this specialty because he had poor visual depth-of-field. He went on to become a radiologist. I knew a very good orthopedic surgeon who lost one eye to melanoma and successfully returned to surgery. Loss of an eye results in a deficit in depth-of-field that is provided by binocular vision, but this can be compensated for, to a degree. The degree of compensation would, I think, depend on the individual; some are more adaptable than others. You are correct in your concern about the policing of medicine by its own practitioners. I do not feel we do a very good job of this. I think part of the problem is that all of us subscribe to the dictum those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Thanks for commenting.
Rick