What You Said About The Power List

During the nomination process for this year’s Power List, we not only asked you to cast your vote, but we also sought your feedback and invited you to ask questions. Though we love the List as much as you do, your constructive feedback is absolutely vital in helping us improve every year. And so, before I highlight the overwhelmingly positive feedback that we received, I want to offer my sincerest thanks to you for engaging, nominating, and providing your invaluable thoughts. This List would not be made possible without you and, because of you, it will just keep getting better. Thank you!

First, your feedback

Please use the arrows below to see further comments.

Industry dilemmas

“The list should be focused only on medical professionals (not those in industry) that have contributed to the field of ophthalmology.”

“It would be beneficial to have more individuals from the ophthalmic industry recognized.”

“I personally favor candidates having more of an academic contribution over industry sponsored contribution, but understand the need for both.”

“I enjoy the mix of the finalists, it’s a good cross section. However, you do not have to have industry separated; either they made the list or not.”

“I applaud aiming for diversity in the lists. However, the inclusion in 2021 of Shervin Korangy in the list of 100 women in ophthalmology... surely that undermined your aim? What’s the case for including a man in the list of women? Anyway, what’s the argument for including anyone from industry, CEOs especially; can’t they have a list of their own?”

Editor: I will address the above comments to clarify that the black-and-white industry profiles are a sponsored addition to the main list. We do not exclude industry leaders from The Power List, and they have in the past been featured on it – it is really up to our judges! The industry figures, including Shervin Korangy, were not part of last year’s list, but rather separate sponsored entries. We aimed to make them stand out from the list by using company logos and monochromatic images, but we have received messages suggesting this approach didn’t work well for everyone. We listened, and this year we have separated the promotional industry entries to make it even clearer.

“I think you need to do a better job of including industry leaders who get innovation to the market so patients and doctors can benefit.”

“The Power List does an excellent job of capturing the international leaders, both young and old, in the field of ophthalmology. The List also has done well at promoting diversity, which continues to be work in progress. In the future, I would like to see the women and men from industry listed – they have been instrumental in bringing novel therapies to the clinic.”

Equality and diversity

“We need more diversity, more women, and more people of color.”

“I appreciate the diversity in your list.”

“I think it is wonderful that you are putting this together and that you keep advocating for a diverse list! Thank you!”

“The Power List is a great opportunity to celebrate the success of women. Tweets showcasing awardees throughout the year could be used to generate year-round interest in the list.”

Editor: This is a brilliant suggestion and is indeed our plan for this year.

“I appreciate your efforts to have a diverse list taking into account sub-specialties, location, gender, ethnicity, and more.”

“Names should change a bit more every year, although it’s not easy. More visibility should be given to young scientists and ophthalmologists. More room should be given to countries that are usually under-represented (most nominees are from the US and the UK).”

“I would like to see more diversity in terms of women featured on the List, especially women of color and immigrant women (which is one of the reasons I’ve submitted my nomination).”

“I may be biased, living in Europe, but I would like to see a more global flavor rather than the List being as focused on North America as it has been in the past. Thank you – I enjoy this list each year.”

“Please include a diverse group including women and all sub-specialties!”

“More women and minorities, please!”

“It is a very innovative idea to bring the world’s ophthalmologists close to each other. Leaders and their contribution must be realized and recognized. There are so many ophthalmologists who are working in small places around the world making a big difference with their work.”

“Congratulations on this great idea from The Ophthalmologist team. It has focused attention on the great work being done in ophthalmology and brought recognition to the field and all ophthalmologists. Gender diversity was a great idea implemented by The Ophthalmologist. Keep going!”

“I’m excited to see so many empowered women on your List. I’d appreciate it if it can be publicized more so that people can come up with more nominations.”

“The Power List is a great way to celebrate the success of female ophthalmologists.”

Youth or experience?

“Consider younger surgeons who are actually influencing our direction rather than just famous names with many underlings.”

“Feature more young, up-and-coming ophthalmologists!”

“I think you should bring back the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ list.”

“Will you bring back the Rising Stars list again?”

Editor: We will certainly consider it!

“Maybe lower caliber rising stars could be acknowledged in a separate dedicated list of top surgical trainers and medical educators in ophthalmology from around the globe – just a thought.”

“The changing themes, such as ‘Top 40 Under 40,’ female leaders, and top 100 keep this Power List exciting and readable, especially as more established power-brokers are continually challenged by rising stars and therefore need to work in a collaborative international manner to stay relevant.”