GT: How does glaucoma fellowship today compare with when you were in training?
Richard Lewis, MD: On the positive side, there is a greater emphasis on surgical training with well-defined surgical goals. On the negative side, I do not see as much emphasis on basic science, clinical research (eg, mandatory presentations at ARVO), and clinical reviews of the fundamental landmark trials (eg, the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study [OHTS],1 Tube Versus Trabeculectomy [TVT] study,2 etc.).
GT: What are some of the ways in which a glaucoma fellow or an early-career practitioner can work with industry?
R.L.: Working with industry could be discussed in fellowship, but there is little time or experience during that 1 year of training. However, for glaucoma specialists who are early in their careers, clinical research is a great opportunity to get the attention of industry as well as to develop the skills and staff to conduct clinical research.
GT: How do you, either individually or as a company, connect with glaucoma fellows?
R.L.: I have been involved in resident and fellow education in various capacities from lectures, articles, and one-on-one teaching (via the Interventional Glaucoma Consortium [IGC] meetings, etc.). Most recently, I have been chairing the Alcon glaucoma fellows course in Fort Worth, Texas, for the past 2 years.
GT: In your work within the glaucoma industry, what do you value in a physician partner?
R.L.: Honesty and insight. Clinical medicine cannot move forward without industry, and industry cannot move forward without clinicians. We need each other!
GT: What advice would you give to young glaucoma specialists who are interested in working with industry?
R.L.: The most important steps are to reach out to the companies with which a partnership is desired, develop a relationship, and offer to conduct clinical studies.
1. Gordon MO, Kass MA. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study: design and baseline description of the participants. Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117(5):573-583.
2. Gedde SJ, Schiffman JC, Feuer WJ, et al. Treatment outcomes in the Tube Versus Trabeculectomy (TVT) study after five years of follow-up. Am J Ophthalmol. 2012;153(5):789-803.
GT: How does glaucoma fellowship today compare with when you were in training?
L. Jay Katz, MD: The introduction of better tools for diagnosing and treating glaucoma should lead to better patient care. The challenge for a glaucoma fellow is to comprehend and attain competency in an array of technologies and techniques. Laboratory benchwork and clinical trial results may challenge traditional thought and require fundamental modifications from past teaching with exploration and acceptance of novel approaches. With the increasing prevalence of glaucoma in the aging population, glaucoma specialists must excel not only in delivering individualized clinical care but also in navigating the framework of how the current infrastructure supports patient management.
GT: What are some of the ways in which a glaucoma fellow or an early-career practitioner can work with industry?
L.J.K.: Glaucoma fellows can connect with industry in a variety of ways:
- Attend sponsored educational events (lectures, wet labs, company-hosted courses);
- Meet with a company’s medical science liaisons for peer-reviewed information about new advances;
- Apply for academic fellowship grants/awards; and/or
- Engage with industry representatives.
A new practitioner also has several avenues:
- Become a principal investigator in clinical trials;
- Serve as a medical monitor for clinical trials;
- Volunteer to participate in speaker educational programs;
- Participate on an advisory board or act as a consultant;
- Author manuscripts and submit them for publication;
- Be directly employed by a company in medical affairs or clinical trials or as a chief medical officer;
- Meet with medical science liaisons for updated peer-reviewed information and apply for independent investigator-initiated research grants; and/or
- Request the donation of equipment, devices, or drugs for international medical/surgical missions.
GT: How do you, either individually or as a company, connect with glaucoma fellows?
L.J.K.: Glaukos recognizes the importance of helping fellows to master the complexities of providing optimal individualized care for patients and comprehending the science behind the strategies of testing and treatment. Didactic lectures with wet lab experience are scheduled throughout the year, and dedicated academic Glaukos representatives offer dry labs and case support during training. Fellowship grants are awarded with no stipulations. Company representatives such as myself meet with fellows to gauge their needs and perspectives on how we can help them accomplish their goals. At independent educational meetings locally, nationally, and internationally, Glaukos offers financial support to help meet teaching objectives.
GT: In your work within the glaucoma industry, what do you value in a physician partner?
L.J.K.: We seek physicians who wish to work collaboratively to tackle the challenges in evaluating and treating patients. Insights and recommendations are always welcome. Dreaming of improvements in our approaches often leads to an innovative step forward in the management of glaucoma.
The story of Glaukos and glaucoma specialist Rick Hill, MD, is a dramatic example of the power of physician-industry partnerships. Dr. Hill believed that a microstent that bypassed the resistance of a dysfunctional trabecular meshwork could safely lower IOP. His innovation was the catalyst for the company’s formation. The ripple effect has been the implementation of a new, disruptive treatment paradigm.
GT: What advice would you give to young glaucoma specialists who are interested in working with industry and to companies that are interested in working with new practitioners?
L.J.K.: The first step for companies is to reach out to fellowship graduates and offer to help them navigate all aspects of health care delivery. Early engagement with industry representatives is important. Companies should decide how they can best partner with physicians and clearly explain those options to all recent trainees. For example, many physicians participate in medical missions to help underserved populations internationally; Glaukos enthusiastically supports humanitarian efforts with device and drug delivery donations.
Physicians should ask companies about potential areas of collaboration and mention their interest in any specific role. In our joint mission to provide the best possible care, we look forward to a stimulating, enjoyable journey together in making a difference for future generations of patients and their physicians.
