Building bridges, filling gaps

The field of ophthalmology has been experiencing increasingly acute growing pains for many years now. Whether it be reporting and measuring refractive outcomes, naming, categorizing, or reporting on IOLs, or measuring astigmatism, journals are realizing lack of conformity is hindering the field.1–8 We rarely have agreement within one country, let alone one continent. Our field exploded over the past 20 years, and we are only now trying to develop standards to make comparisons and training more transferable. With internet access and the ability to travel, we could and should be doing more sharing and comparing to optimize ophthalmological education, improve the environmental impact of our field, and increase optical healthcare around the globe. Evaluating distance education and training is an ideal starting point. By focusing on digital learning platforms, our universities and clinics could reach a wider audience and collaborate with lower resource areas. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning platforms and made the world more comfortable with video conferencing and virtual meetings, also in our field.9 A report by Research and Markets forecasts the global e-learning market to reach $457.8 billion by 2026. Digital platforms can democratize access to high-quality ophthalmology education, especially critical for practitioners in remote or resource-limited settings. In a similar way, by sharing ophthalmological surgical practices with international partners, we can learn and share environmentally sustainable practices within the field of ophthalmology, including waste reduction in surgical practices and clinics.10–12 Healthcare is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. The National Health Service has committed to reaching net zero by 2045, reflecting a broader trend toward sustainability in healthcare. Ophthalmology, with its reliance on single-use instruments and devices, is uniquely positioned to lead in this area by innovating more sustainable practices and materials. Our field should globally advocate for research into sustainable materials and practices that can be used in eyecare products and services.13,14 The WHO reports that at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distant vision impairment, with over 1 billion cases preventable or yet to be addressed. Addressing this challenge requires a concerted effort to improve access to eyecare globally, emphasizing the importance of the ESCRS's, ASCRS's, and AAO's roles in this area. We need to be working toward reducing the global burden of preventable blindness by partnering with international organizations to support eyecare missions and training programs in developing countries and by supporting policies and programs that increase access to eyecare, especially in underserved regions. Artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a major role in this development, with a not yet known impact on global energy resources. It is estimated that in a not so far future AI can use up to 30% of the global energy needs, whereas currently energy for digital work is between 5% and 8%. These priorities align with global health trends, technological advancements, and the evolving landscape of healthcare needs. Focusing on building bridges with ophthalmologists around the world would position our societies as leaders, not only in advancing ophthalmology but also in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, sustainability, and a deep commitment to global eye health.