There are some changes that have evolved in our field during the pandemic that may persist, and others that will fade away as we move on to a post-vaccination world over the next many months. This past year highlighted a great need for efficiency, flexibility, and cross-training. Many of us found ways to do more with fewer staff, greater efficiency, and with an emphasis on safety while minimizing wait times.

Our ability to adapt and even flex with the challenges of the past year is dependent upon the speed with which we can make changes and pivot when adaptability is paramount. Ownership in an ASC allows for quicker decision-making and better control of the direction taken in times of crisis, which is one of the many reasons to invest in an ASC. For a complete discussion, see our article, “The Financial Side of ASC Partnership,” on page 4.

Once you are committed to investing in an ASC, you may elect to buy into an existing business or you may pioneer a new entity as part of your own practice. Regardless of your path, there are many challenges along the way, including finding the right location, navigating Certificate of Need issues, funding the project, designing the space, and understanding the regulatory hurdles. Our article, “Update, Renovate, or Rebuild?” on page 12, explores the pros and cons of updating, renovating, or building an ASC to help streamline your decision-making process.

On the topic of adaptability, we can always improve the ways in which we meet and exceed the goals of our patients. New technology in premium IOLs continues to raise the bar and allow us to reliably provide increasing independence from spectacles for an even greater number of patients. We will explore this changing landscape of premium IOLs in the article, “New IOL Technologies,” on page 8.

Ophthalmology is an ever-changing profession, and I look forward to meeting the coming challenges together as we grow and adapt, always remaining flexible and focused on providing the best eye care possible for our patients. ■