Letter From the Editor

Dear Colleagues and Industry Partners,

It is with great pride and a profound sense of purpose that I welcome you to the inaugural edition of OBS Insider. Conceived as the premier authoritative voice on office-based surgery (OBS), this publication is dedicated to the eye care community at large – ophthalmologists, optometrists, practice administrators, industry leaders, and other professionals who are actively architecting the future of ophthalmic care.

My own journey integrating an office-based surgery center into clinical practice has been nothing short of transformative. It has fundamentally elevated the standard of care we are able to deliver, markedly enhanced patient satisfaction, and fortified both the operational efficiency and sustainability of our practice. Beyond these logistical triumphs, years of rigorous data collection have unequivocally validated what many of us have witnessed firsthand: for appropriately selected ophthalmic patients, office-based surgery is a remarkably safe, effective, and superior paradigm of surgical delivery. This is a testament to my surgeon colleagues and everyone along the way who helped us get here. 

We stand at a pivotal juncture in healthcare. As the surgical landscape continues its rapid evolution, an unprecedented number of practices are evaluating whether the OBS model aligns with their commitment to delivering the best care. This exponential growth necessitates a definitive source of truth: a platform providing practical guidance, shared clinical experiences, and rigorously evidence-based information.

OBS Insider was established to fulfill this critical need. We envision this publication (biannual to start) not merely as a newsletter, but as an invaluable resource for practices currently operating an OBS center, as well as those contemplating the transition. Within these pages, we will deliver comprehensive analyses of emerging clinical data, strategic operational and revenue frameworks, innovative practice models, and curated reviews of the latest advancements pertinent to ophthalmic office-based surgery.

Crucially, OBS Insider is designed to be a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem. We cannot advance our field in silos. We actively invite and encourage contributions, insights, and partnerships from fellow surgeons, industry innovators, allied health professionals, and all stakeholders invested in the OBS model. By fostering an open exchange of ideas, techniques, and technological advancements, we can collectively elevate the standard of office-based surgery nationwide.

Our overarching mission is clear: to cultivate a premier forum where colleagues can learn from one another, challenge the status quo, and remain at the vanguard of this rapidly expanding domain of ophthalmic practice.

Thank you for joining us in this vital endeavor. I look forward to shaping the future of office-based surgery together.

Sincerely,

Omar Shakir, MD MBA