I. Howard Fine
The Power List 2019 – Surgical Pioneers
I. Howard Fine
Physician and surgeon at Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Sims, Eugene, and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA.
What was your early inspiration for becoming an ophthalmologist?
The fact that ophthalmologists have the highest professional satisfaction in medicine.
What have been your career highlights?
Among the surgical procedures I innovated, I am most proud of cortical cleaving hydrodissection, the temporal self-sealing clear corneal incision, and the optimization of power modulations for reducing energy in phacoemulsification of cataracts. Also, during my career I had the honor to train dozens of fellows from around the world. When they returned home after their time with me, many of them became leaders in their own countries, and are today international leaders in cataract surgery. And finally, being inducted into the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Ophthalmology Hall of Fame was a big career highlight.
What will be the next big breakthrough in ophthalmology?
It will be accommodative intraocular lens implants.
What is the best part about being an ophthalmologist?
It is the fact that we never disrobe our patients, and so our time in the clinic with patients has many more social components than most physicians’ experience. Our surgical successes are among the best in medicine, allowing us to enhance the lives of our patients. I appreciate the ongoing relationship with patients and their families.
