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PAAO president urges 'Pan-Americanism' to tackle global eye care issues
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 Richard L. Abbott |
SAN FRANCISCO — In his address during the opening ceremony of the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the president of PAAO emphasized the importance of Pan-Americanism in addressing pressing issues in eye care.
"[Pan-Americanism] is a state of mind," Richard L. Abbott, MD, said.
Dr. Abbott stressed that Pan-Americanism is an international sentiment that does not breed political agendas, but rather defines itself by acts that bolster the social, cultural and economic bonds of the two Americas.
Dr. Abbott cited the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group, a coalition of specialists from nine South American countries that was formed to address the high prices of newly approved pharmacotherapies for treating vitreoretinal diseases. The alliance's studies investigating new techniques and alternative therapies have positively impacted the treatment of patients with retinal diseases worldwide, he said.
"The [PAAO] is engaged, involved and contributing to education, research and prevention of blindness in the global ophthalmic community," Dr. Abbott said