EyeWorld Asia-Pacific September 2011 Issue

The APACRS: In constant pursuit of perfection 8 T he progress of medical science and technology in the field of ophthalmology over the last decade certainly means better care for patients; however, there is a flipside: on the one hand, patient expectations regarding visual outcome have never been higher or more stringent; on the other, increasing life spans mean a progressively aging population, adding nuance and complexity to even the most typical cases. Still, the progress made within the last few years alone makes it clear that perfect vision is a definite possibility. The Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), through various means, constantly explores the latest advances in techniques and technology being made in the various fields of ophthalmic surgery, part and parcel to the society’s constant pursuit of perfect visual outcomes. In this pursuit, the society has made its mark as the regional counterpart of major international ophthalmological societies such as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), and the Latin American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ALACCSA/LASCRS). Fulfilling function The APACRS evolved from the Asia-Pacific Intraocular Implant Association (APIIA) founded by Prof. Arthur Lim to reflect the dynamic developments in cataract and refractive surgery at the turn of the millennium. In 1987, Prof. Lim foresaw the importance of these developments in Asia; the society has since witnessed rapid growth under the leadership of current president Prof. Graham Barrett. The society’s primary function is the dissemination and promotion of the rapid development of advances in the various fields of anterior segment ophthalmic surgery in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the years, the APACRS has developed various instruments to fulfill this function. Among them is EyeWorld Asia-Pacific , a quarterly news magazine that keeps its readers at the forefront of international anterior segment ophthalmic surgery news. The magazine keeps its readers abreast of the latest developments while keeping its perspective on what is relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. The magazine is currently read by over 20,000 ophthalmologists in over 20 countries in the region. The association also maintains a website at www.apacrs.org . The website provides a resource accessible to members wherever they may be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering weekly news, important announcements, as well as a convenient biometry calculator