Viewpoint

Photographic Malpractice

FROM THE CHIEF MEDICAL EDITOR

Larry E. Patterson, MD

Occasionally I am approached at a meeting or convention with a greeting similar to this: “Hey, you’re that guy who writes those columns about stuff the rest of us are thinking about but wouldn’t dare say out loud.”

Well, here I go again.

Years ago I dabbled in online dating. I met a local lady that way, and after a bit of cyber-chatting we agreed to meet. When I saw her in person it struck me that the person in her online photos was perhaps 20 years younger and, to be charitable, 50 pounds lighter. (I’m not sure charitable is the right word but I’m on deadline and it will have to suffice.) While she seemed to be a nice person, I could not get past the fact that I had been a victim of photographic deception. Since I would always feel that the initial attraction was based on a lie, how could I trust her going forward?

What’s all this have to do with ophthalmology?

We all read articles in journals and especially trade publications (like this one) that often include a photo of the author(s). And that’s all well and good. They become our heroes, men and women we learn from and become better doctors in the process. But then we go to that dinner meeting, trade show, or medical convention and meet our hero face to face. And we see a face that has, again to be charitable, aged somewhat. The dark hair has partially or fully grayed. Or worse, the gray hair has magically darkened! Or the hair, like Elvis, has left the building. Or in a desperate attempt to keep a foothold, our hero has immaculately yet embarrassingly combed it over a once hirsute spot. Or the guy who writes all about refractive surgery shows up with a significant refractive error and spectacles.

Why are you doing this?

I’ve aged. So have you. We all do. It’s okay. It’s part of living. I’m not opposed to you coloring your hair, getting some Botox or fillers, doing a little nip and tuck. That’s up to you. But if you aren’t going to fight the inevitable, don’t resurrect your past and pass it off as the present. It’s an insult.

While I’ve used Botox at times myself, I decided a long time ago to stay gray for two reasons: (1) I’m way too lazy to maintain it; and (2) My father says it makes me look “extinguished”.

What I’m opposed to is these practitioners of photographic malpractice using their high school prom photos to accompany their articles. If you are pontificating ideas the rest of us should be following, then you should be financially successful enough to update your photos from time to time. If you want us to trust you in future articles, don’t deceive us up front.

And, if I’ve never said it before, a special thanks to this publication’s editors for only occasionally telling me, “No, Larry, we can’t print that.” If you ever want to vent some steam, write a letter; they probably wouldn’t say no to you either. OM