Refractive Surgery-The Ideal SurgeryChoice for the Woman Ophthalmologist

Dr. Rupal Shah Clinical Director New Vision Laser Centers

About Myself
Clinical Director of New Vision Laser Centers with 10 centers around India y Practice in Vadodara and Mumbai and perform about 2000 LVC procedures personally every year y Primarily a refractive surgeon, though I do supervise about 2000 cataract surgery procedures yearly within our Vadodara clinic
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Challenges for a woman ophthalmologist

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Control over their time and working hours

Work-life balance ends up tilting more towards life

In couple practices, carving out an independent identity from their husband y Capability to invest large sums independent of their spouse, in whatever profession the spouse may be y Exploiting the unique strengths of a woman doctor (nurturing and empathy)
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Why Refractive Surgery?

Economic y Practical y Social y Psychological Reasons
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Economic Reasons
There is a case for refractive surgery to be made as a specialization of choice, which is regardless of the gender of the doctor y 10% of the total number of ophthalmic surgery being done in India is probably refractive surgery, and maybe it accounts for 15-20% of the total ophthalmic revenue. y But the number of ophthalmologists actively pursuing refractive surgery is less than 5% of the total ophthalmologists
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Demographics favor refractive surgery

While cataract volumes in India will increase as life expectancy increases, sheer demographics dictate that over the next 10 years, the number of people entering the age group 18-30 will increase much more. y These younger people today also have better jobs, paying capacity, and a wish to improve their lifestyle-the perfect candidate for refractive surgery
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Need to Invest Less

While it may be felt that refractive surgery requires a great deal of investment, in reality, this is not true y Unlike other specializations in ophthalmology, which requires a high amount of investment in a private practice, refractive surgery centers can generally be easily accessed for a facility fee (at least in cities of reasonable size)
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Economic Argument
Less Investment, ability to do this in private practice as opposed to taking a job y Less Competition (so more control over time-there is no need to work long hours) y Demographics play out in favor
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Practical Reasons
No emergencies y Fewer Complications y Less Competition y Quick Surgery y All this translates into a situation where one need not work long hours to do good surgical volumes
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Social Reasons
In busy couple practices, this is a unique opportunity to carve out a identity for the wife y It does not impinge upon the husbands practice, it does not create competition between spouses y Unlike other ophthalmic specialities, the potential in refractive surgery in equivalent to cataract surgery
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Psychological Reasons
Refractive surgery patients are young y They seem to respond well to a nurturing and caring nature, somehow motherly y They need reassurance from someone who is older, but not too old, and someone who seems to genuinely care
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Conclusion
Refractive surgery is the fastest growing area of ophthalmology y In a few years, refractive surgery volumes will begin to rival cataract volumes y For women eye surgeons, it may be the ideal time to specialize in refractive surgery
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