The hottest summer in history is behind us, and it is time to turn our attention to fall. For some of you, it means back to school for your children, and everything that comes along with that routine: after school activities, weekend sports, homework, and earlier bedtimes. For others, it may mean buckling down to achieve your personal and professional goals that you set earlier in the year. Whatever fall means for you, I hope it includes catching up on your reading, including Ophthalmic Professional.

A focus on retina

This issue, with a focus on retina-related topics, features the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI). Not mentioned in the article is the fact that MERSI was the first practice to include an infusion suite for the treatment of autoimmune disease with ocular manifestations. Still innovating, they share the steps they have taken to ensure clinical efficiencies (P. 6).

Speaking of innovation, recent advances in retina surgery have included pre-operative imaging and pharmacotherapy, high-speed cutting, micro instrumentation, digital microscopic viewing, and much more. OP presents an overview of these innovations, and what they mean to allied health professionals, in “Advances in retina surgery” (P. 12) by Timothy G. Murray, MD, MBA, Aaron Gold, OD, Mónica P. González, MD, and Victor M. Villegas, MD.

Putting the spotlight on careers and skills

You, our readers, have asked us to spotlight various careers within the field of ophthalmic assisting. In this issue, Holly Cheshier shares her pathway to becoming a leader among photographers. (See “Career opportunities in ophthalmic photography,” P. 18.) In addition, Darrin Landry explains the skills necessary to capture clear images with optical coherence tomography (OCT), ensuring doctors are able to monitor disease progression accurately. (See “Building the ideal OCT imager,” P. 15.)

Our regular columns, “Compliance” (P. 24) and “Coding” (P. 25), are full of information to better understand history taking and co-management; both of these topics are often misunderstood. And “Customer Service” (P. 27) provides recommendations of steps to take to win back unhappy patients.

I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I have. Please keep your suggestions coming and continue sharing this journal with your co-workers. Happy fall. OP