On The Net
This site offers tips and techniques to cataract surgeons.

When Mark A. Jofe, M.D., wanted to initiate an exchange of ideas on cataract surgery techniques at his surgery center in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, N.Y., he began putting short video clips on the office computer and invited his colleagues to do the same. The information exchange was so successful that he decided to put the videos on the Internet.

That was 18 months ago. Today, Dr. Jofe's Web site, www.phacopearls.com, has 1,700 members, almost all of whom are cataract surgeons, and receives video clips from around the world. The site is billed as "the first interactive video Web site where you can share your surgical pearls with the world cataract surgery community." The video clips, edited by Dr. Jofe and ranging from about 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length, are grouped under a number of headings, with each heading corresponding to a step in the surgical process. Some of the videos have sound narration by the doctor who's explaining the technique, while others have text to explain the technique being shown.

"The feedback we've received has been very encouraging," says Dr. Jofe. "Doctors say they're learning new techniques just by watching these video clips."

The site also provides video clips of various complications that can occur during cataract surgery and offers suggestions on how to deal with these complications.

The www.phacopearls site has become so popular that it's already held a contest, awarding the first prize of $3,000 worth of Bausch & Lomb ophthalmic instruments to Amar Agarwal, M.D., for his video clip demonstrating phaco and IOL implantation via a .9-mm incision.

Surgeons who'd like to have their techniques represented on the site can send their video clips to Dr. Jofe (by mail or e-mail) by following the instructions provided on the Web site.

Visit www.phacopearls.com

If you've discovered a Web site or service that's been useful to you in practice or at home, we'd like to know about it. E-mail Jerry Helzner at helznergi@boucher1.com or call him at (215) 643-8013.