“I’m determined to make
every surgery a masterpiece.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘the best’ in the world. There is only ‘this is most suitable for the right, and that for the left eyes of the patient. The combined visions from both eyes would yield a quality vision that delights them.”
This opening statement of the conversation leads us to conjure up a first-class flight in which passengers receive the best service in every aspect. We cannot help but wonder about the starting point of a masterpiece cataract surgery.
Assoc.Prof.Dr Prin Rojanapongpun, an opthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery who has performed over ten thousand eye surgeries, told us that eye surgery is not just a treatment for eye problems; it is to bring happiness into a patient’s life. Considering each patient has different needs and lifestyles, the priority is to discern what patients want from eye surgery. With enough information, ophthalmologists will apply knowledge and experience and utilize technology to design intraocular lenses (IOLs) that would overcome each eye condition, which is not necessarily the same. We must admit there is no perfection in this world. However, if there are flaws, we must overcome such imperfections as best we can and be dependable and trusted by the patients as much as possible.
His pride does not hinge on the number of eye surgeries performed. His happiness multiplies every time the vision of his patients improves.
Eye surgery with no telltale signs.
To help patients see clearly through IOLs that are most suitable and meet their needs as much as possible, the Eye Care Center at MedPark Hospital deploys cutting-edge, high-precision technologies such as wavefront laser for eye refraction measuring diopter strength, CYL or AXIS, and corneal curvature with four different technologies. Ophthalmologists will compare each method and design a personalized treatment specific to each patient. Every patient poses a new challenge because the detail and need of each patient are different.
Despite requiring the capability of technology, proficiency, and experience, a large number of medical staff, and taking more time, ophthalmologists are willing to pay attention to every detail and exert the best effort for the best visions of their patients.
“In surgery for each eye, over 100 measurements are taken. The procedure takes extra 1-2 minutes. It’s 2 minutes which is worthwhile. We, ophthalmologists, must acquire new knowledge and become skillful with it. We must be spot on and acquaint ourselves with these machines. Otherwise, treatment would take more time and be inconsistent. We are willing to spend more time to make the patients’ eyes look like they have never undergone surgery. We will not change the corneal curvature and proportion of the eyeballs to maintain the look without making any changes; it must be that exacting.”
- Expertise integrated with technology
Each patient has a different lens condition. Some have extreme nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which require discrete surgical intervention. Each cataract surgery requires detailed examinations with many technologies using autorefractor, auto keratometry, Master 700, and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) to provide measurements to design the lens for each eye. During surgery, we use intraoperative Aberrometry wavefront technology equipment to analyze and make calculations to assist in ascertaining an optimal placement.
“Our cataract operating microscope has a digital guidance system, verification system, and OCT. Only a few clinics or hospitals deploy this level of high-end equipment. During an operation, we would act like a CEO, processing data derived from each diagnostic technology, then calling on our knowledge and experience to decide which information and approach to rely on which has the least chance for error.”
IOLs and eye diagnostic technologies and treatment have been advancing continuously. Some technologies are developed directly from the knowledge and experience of ophthalmologists. Assoc.Prof.Dr Prin is one of the noted Asian ophthalmologists invited by American and European medical equipment manufacturers to advise them on the subtle difference between Asians and Europeans. Asians hold their phones at a distance of about 33 - 35 centimeters, while Europeans about 40+ centimeters from their eyes. The lifestyle concept is something manufacturers need to take into account in the development of medical equipment.
“Thais use Line, Facebook, and IG more than Europeans. The elderly use them all day long. They also play games. People nowadays hardly watch Netflix on TV; instead, they watch on their mobile phones. Some do stock tradings on iPad. These are details that we have to understand more. An ophthalmologist not only needs to be good at the surgery or treating patients but also at communicating and understanding others. We are required to help them satisfy as much as we can.”
- An ophthalmologist learns from a patient, and a patient learns from a lens
There is a misunderstanding that visual perception happens in the eyes. The role of our eyes is only to gather light and pass it to the brain, turning it into an image. Therefore, vision is an eye-brain integrated process. Patients who underwent IOL surgery need time to learn and adapt. In the same vein, no matter how many operations Assoc.Prof.Dr Prin has performed; he always attentively studies his teachers: the patients.
“Some technologies require brain learning processes, so patients need to adapt to their new lenses, which may take weeks or months. I always tell patients fitted with certain IOL that there will be an adjustment period. They also inform me about their opinion or recount their experiences. They teach me every day without knowing. And I always pay attention to them.”
- No disheartenment, no discouragement
Very few people know that Assoc. Prof. Dr Prin had set his sight on becoming a doctor since Grade 2. After graduation from medical school, he has achieved numerous accomplishments, including being a speaker at well-known medical meeting venues, traveling to over 40 countries, holding positions in various international associations, winning many outstanding research awards, and receiving honorary award plaques and certificates. Most remarkable, he was awarded First Prize Winner at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Film Festival in Boston, the United States of America.
“They (foreigners) were amazed by my work about fixing a failed glaucoma surgery. The video took a long time to produce. Maybe I was lucky. But it wasn’t pure luck. It was a dedication I made night after night. Whatever you toil with love, no matter how long it takes or how tired you are, as long as I’m not disheartened, I will not retreat. And I won’t stop because there is always a new challenge.”
Whoever has a chance to talk with Assoc.Prof.Dr Prin, may they be a patient, student, or colleague, even for just a few sentences, could sense his passion for working, dedicating himself to what he loves, and learning new knowledge in medicine. It is a passion that will not run out.
Assoc.Prof.Dr Prin Rojanapongpun
An opthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery
Doctor profile
