EyeWorld Asia-Pacific September 2015 Issue

66 EWAP NEWS & OPINION September 2015 the idea but persisted for decades to finally see his idea proven a success. –Roger Steinert, MD All of us remember Bob Sinskey as a legendary and talented phacoemulsification cataract surgeon, inventor, and teacher. The early modification of the “J” loop Sinskey posterior chamber IOL in the late 1970s became the most popular style of its time. The Sinskey hook that was originally made as a companion to position the IOL optic is likely the most widely used eye surgical instrument to this day. In more recent years Bob developed a strabismus procedure to manage congenital nystagmus. That operation is gaining foothold today. Bob had the “vision” to recognize the benefit of phaco and originated a method of “one hand” posterior chamber phacoemulsification that matched his very gifted surgical skills; his technique was far kinder to the cornea than the original anterior chamber method. With Dick Kratz, MD, he organized the first West Coast teaching courses for phaco that helped transition many to small incision cataract surgery. He also taught and performed guest surgery in a large number of international locations. As a result, he had a major impact on cataract surgery around the globe. Bob also had a remarkable opportunity after World War II. He was assigned to Japan in the early 1950s to study the effects of the nuclear bombs on cataract formation, becoming one of the world’s leading experts on radiation cataract. Bob was also an intense wine hobbyist whose passion led him to build a winery in the Napa Valley in the 1980s; it is among the most beautiful and well kept in the region. Today the Sinskey label is recognized on fine wine lists around the globe; his son, Rob, manages the family winery. Bob was also remarkably generous with time as a teacher and mentor, as his many fellows will attest. From a personal standpoint, he freely shared greatly valued advice (and good wine) with me. He and his lovely wife Loraine made major contributions to develop the Robert M. Sinskey Eye Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Bob’s long-term goal of establishing a permanent eye institute dedicated to cataract in Ethiopia was realized a few years ago in conjunction with local medical personnel and the ASCRS Foundation. Bob was past president of ASCRS and was elected to the ASCRS Hall of Fame. –Samuel Masket, MD Dr. Sinskey selected one fellow from around the world annually. Fellowship with him was seeing 100 patients and 10 surgeries in the same day. My dream came true when Dr. Sinskey chose me. The first day I was in the OR at 7:15 a.m. He greeted me by saying “Good afternoon.” The second day I entered at 7:10 a.m. and he squirted balanced salt solution on me and said “This will save you time in the shower.” Clueless, I was late the third day, when he invited me for lunch. My joy ended when he asked, “How can I get you to the OR on time?” He spoke his mind, always. My first weekend in the U.S., he invited me to a bike ride at Venice Beach. After 7 miles, as I was gasping for air, I asked him, “Is someone going to pick us up?” He said, “Let’s finish 13 miles and then return 13 more miles on our bikes.” When we reached his home, he swam laps while I hid in his Jacuzzi. His passion for exercise kept him fit even at 90. Dr. Sinskey took me to Jimmy Stewart’s birthday party. I was excited when he told me that Ronald Reagan would be there. I accidentally bumped into an elderly gentleman. Dr. Sinskey told me quietly that I had just injured Moses (Charlton Heston). I could not be sorry that I hit him or happy that I touched him. Dr. Sinskey would not be angry at any mistakes one made; he just kindly improved us. Dr. Sinskey did phaco before the capsulorhexis was invented. The Sinskey J loop IOL became one of the most used lenses in the world, and the most used eye surgery instrument, the Sinskey hook, had no patent, as he felt it was too simple an invention. He loved to teach. He travelled the world. He grew exotic fruits. He loved his dogs and Loraine. In my 30-year association with him, I saw his wedding, his ASCRS presidency, his Hall of Fame induction, his Ethiopia project, nystagmus surgery, and his final four weekends. He expressed with courage, inspired by example, and constantly stimulated your mind. This was one man that changed many lives. –Pranav Amin, MD Bob Sinskey was a true pioneer in small incision cataract surgery and lens implantation. He helped propel the acceptance of phaco by developing novel and safer techniques at a time when the world did not readily accept this surgery. He shared this knowledge by holding courses and traveling the world to share his discoveries. Bob was at the forefront of lens implantation at a time when its safety was questioned. His Sinskey modified J loop lens enjoyed immense popularity for a decade. Probably one of the most widely used cataract surgical instruments today is the Sinskey hook. It was originally developed for one maneuver—to rotate a posterior chamber lens at a time when they had 4 positioning holes specifically designed to aid rotation. Many surgeons quickly discovered it could be used for multiple purposes during cataract and lens implant surgery. Bob wanted to bring modern eye surgery to underdeveloped areas. He financially supported the development of an eye hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which became known as the Sinskey Eye Institute. He was so highly thought of that he was elected president of ASCRS and ultimately to its Hall of Fame. The world mourns the loss of a Hall of Fame surgeon. I mourn the loss of a wonderful friend. –Jack Dodick, MD Tribute - from page 65