Ophthalmology community mourns loss of Peter Barry, pillar of ESCRS

Issue: June 2016

Peter Barry, FRCS, an outstanding member of the European ophthalmology community and lead author of the pivotal ESCRS study on endophthalmitis prevention, died May 26 after a short illness — a sudden, unexpected loss that leaves his friends and colleagues astounded and bereft.

Barry did his ophthalmology residency at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and completed his training with a retina fellowship in the U.S. For many years he was head of the Department of Ophthalmology at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and senior retinal surgeon at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin.

Peter Barry

He was among the pioneers who laid the foundation of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and served there for more than 25 years as a board member, treasurer and president, most recently in charge of the ESCRS academies around the world.

“Peter was the one who directly or indirectly drove the society throughout these years and the one who convinced me to closely be part of it. My earliest and closest friend in the society, he inspired and supported me in most of my activities and ideas,” José L. Güell, MD, PhD, said.

During his presidency, in the biennium 2012-2013, Barry played a key role in opening the doors of the society to the younger generation. As he said in an interview reported in a book on the history of ESCRS, the greatest challenge in this transition was for him to consider how to contribute building on the society’s strength over future years.

“That’s why one of the key areas of activities I chose to stress was renewal — concentrating on the young,” he said.

With Oliver Findl, MD, he worked closely at creating a committee of young ophthalmologists, which officially began its activities in 2011.

“With his clear mind and structured strategies, he was very important in the development of the ESCRS. Many of the innovations within the society were due to him, and we will miss him greatly,” Findl said.

A charismatic teacher and mentor, Barry used to say that teaching and working with enthusiastic young trainees or students was “the salt of the soup.”

“Peter was more than a mentor. He was a dear friend. The whole European family mourns for his loss,” Vikentia Katsanevaki, MD, PhD, said.

Barry gained wide international reputation as the chairman of the study that proved the efficacy of intracameral cefuroxime in reducing the risk of post-cataract endophthalmitis. This study formed the basis of the ESCRS Guidelines on Prevention, Investigation and Management of Postoperative Endophthalmitis and produced a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice.

“He was also a member of the steering committee of the ESCRS FLACS study, showing that, at this stage in its development, the use of femtosecond laser in cataract surgery does not produce better outcomes for patients,” Richard Packard, MD, FRCS, FRCOphth, said. “Apart from all of this, Peter was great fun to be with, sharing a drink and a story in the bar after the day’s work was done. He will be missed for his contributions and his friendship.” – by Michela Cimberle

Tribute

Peter Barry was a powerful advocate for European ophthalmology. He worked tirelessly to advance the interests of the European Intraocular Implant Club, which evolved into the hugely successful European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Most of his contributions were made quietly and behind the scenes. A few were more visible, including the decision to jointly support the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the landmark study confirming the efficacy of intracameral antibiotics in reducing the incidence of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis. I will remember Peter for his devotion and loyalty to the best interests of ESCRS and European ophthalmology. He was a formidable adversary, but also a welcome ally. His steady leadership will definitely be missed, and his meaningful contributions will be appreciated for decades.

Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, OSN Global Chief Medical Editor