Letters

Hire: Young Turk or Elder Statesman?

■ I was enjoying the October issue of Ophthalmology Management until I read the article, "Would an O.D. Complete the Picture?" and came across the following comment from Andrew Rabinowitz, M.D.: "I would also hire a good O.D. over an older ophthalmologist." I am disappointed, saddened, very upset and insulted with this comment in which Dr. Rabinowitz compares an older ophthalmologist with an O.D. All my faculty at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where I trained are still teaching — and they are older than me! I am sure that Dr. Rabinowitz was also trained by "older ophthalmologists," and most of the Chairmen around the country, and the world for that matter, are "older ophthalmologists." I sincerely hope Dr. Rabinowitz starts learning to have more respect for the older ophthalmologists of the world. In most cultures, "elders" are not only respected but younger generations seek their advice.

—Ruben F. Salinas-Garcia M.D., FACS, FAAO
An "older ophthalmologist in South Texas"

Editor's note: Dr. Rabinowitz says he meant no disrespect and was speaking strictly in terms of practice economics. His complete comment as stated in the article was: "I would also hire a good O.D. over an older ophthalmologist who no longer does surgery." The article presented several modalities and opinions without advocating one solution over others. Practices that prioritize clinical experience above salary expense are of course quite capable of success as well.

Mark My Words

■ I found Dr. Patterson's Viewpoint in the Sept. issue ("A Capital Idea," in Viewpoint) very interesting. I am a Dr. Werdnerd of sorts (should that be Wordnerd?) and have written in the past on the topic of ophthalmic terminology. The closing comment in the editorial stated that since LASIK is an acronym, it should not be written in lower case. Examples of lower case acronyms include laser, maser and radar. I believe that when the acronym is adopted as a free-standing word, it may be written in minuscules.

Two earth-shaking questions arise:

1. Is it correct to have one of the letters in an acronym be an acronym itself, e.g., the L of LASIK standing for laser? If the answer is yes, should the explanation of the acronym LASIK state the full explanation of laser?

2. Is there redundancy to say expressions like HIV virus, laser radiation, laser light? I believe that where the acronym is in lower case it may be acceptable to commit the "redundancy," but not when written in majuscules.

By the way, all my Hispanic patients know the meaning of "mayuscula" and "minuscula."

—John Kearney, M.D., Johnstown, N.Y.

Just D.O. It

■ Dr. Patterson's article about his son and his D.O. school experience ("Practicing Another Brand of Medicine," July 2008, Viewpoint) really hit home. My younger daughter, a graduate of a top ten college and someone who took premed courses after graduation at Harvard, had only fair MCAT scores and the board refused to give her an untimed test despite ample evidence of learning disabilities. She was admitted to Oklahoma State Osteopathic Medical School, is very happy there, and as far as I can see is getting a terrific medical education. Like Dr. Patterson, I am very proud of her. I am not sure whether she will follow me in ophthalmology, but I know she will be a great doctor.

Tulsa has a strong D.O. community and I have worked with a number of them; they are great docs and are getting first-rate training. It seems sad that M.D. schools still rely on MCAT scores and thus exclude really good applicants.

Nice of Dr. Patterson to share his experience.

—Mark Weiss, M.D., Tulsa, Okla.