Welcome to day #8 of my daily learning journal. With constant news and social media distractions, my goal is to watch one Ted Talk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, short story or other piece of significant work.

This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Amy Cuddy: Your body language may shape who you are. “Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that ‘power posing’ — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success.”

Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk is the second highest viewed Ted Talk ever (57.7 million views). Her story is compelling — have a box of tissues handy — and her eloquence superb. You can implement her teachings today.

2. Cataract Surgery – I was honored to serve as a panelist during today’s 1st International Video Symposium on Spectrum of Ocular Trauma. The 3-hour session included jaw-dropping cases handled by world experts dedicated to protecting sight. There are numerous adult & pediatric cataract cases. The video session is available on Facebook or Youtube.

I spoke on the #NoRubberBullets campaign. During the discussions, I also asked Dr. Hudson Nakamara about one of his cases on Terson Syndrome. Dr. Hudson graciously posted an article from the Saudi literature of Terson Syndrome case reports (See #3 below). With thanks to Dr. Natarajan for the invitation to join these gifted surgeons and world leaders in ophthalmic and ocular trauma.

3. Journal article – Mehmet Citirik, Kemal Tekin, Mehmet Yasin Teke. Terson syndrome with persistent vitreous hemorrhage following traumatic brain injury (Case Reports). Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology. Volume 33, Issue 4, October–December 2019, Pages 392-397.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Books 8-12.

Meditations translations are available free online:

I hope you enjoy these selections.

Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrate!

Please post a comment & subscribe/follow my blog www.ProtectingSight.com!

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #7 of my daily learning journal. With constant news and social media distractions, I set a daily goal to watch one Ted Talk and one cataract surgery video. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, short story or other piece of significant work.

This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

Today’s update is a little delayed, as I was in non-stop Zoom meetings from 10 am to 6 pm!

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Diana Nyad: Never, ever give up | TED Talk “In the pitch-black night, stung by jellyfish, choking on salt water, singing to herself, hallucinating … Diana Nyad just kept on swimming. And that’s how she finally achieved her lifetime goal as an athlete: an extreme 100-mile swim from Cuba to Florida — at age 64. Hear her story.”

I love Nyad’s story. She mentions President Theodore Roosevelt’s “In the Arena” speech. Roosevelt gave the speech, “Man In The Arena” at the Sorbonne in April 1910. In the famously quoted passage, he states:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

2. Cataract Surgery – Seriously, subscribe to Uday Devgan MD’s CataractCoach.com. I get his daily updates in my inbox and often watch 1-2 of his videos per day.

A. Review: Cataract Surgery after prior RK – Uday Devgan MD

B. Use Trypan Blue dye before OVD – Uday Devgan MD

3. Journal article – Ravi Parikh, Valerie Palmer, Aman Kumar, John W. Simon. Surgical Confusions in Ophthalmology: Description, Analysis, and Prevention of Errors from 2006 through 2017. Ophthalmology. 2020; 127: 296-302. Very good review of Universal Precautions.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 7 (32 minutes). Numerous Meditations translations are available free online:

5. I will be a panelist on the upcoming 1st International Video Symposium on Spectrum of Ocular Trauma. Join us on Facebook or Youtube!

Sunday June 21, 2020 at 7 pm IST

Sunday June 21, 2020 at 9:30 am EST (New York)

I hope you enjoy these selections.

Please post a comment & subscribe/follow my blog www.ProtectingSight.com!

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #6 of my daily learning goal. I’m committed to watching one Ted Talk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, short story or other piece of significant work.

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I will share 4 items of learning that I’ve viewed or read the same day. This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – The human insights missing from big data – Tricia Wang. “Why do so many companies make bad decisions, even with access to unprecedented amounts of data? With stories from Nokia to Netflix to the oracles of ancient Greece, Tricia Wang demystifies big data and identifies its pitfalls, suggesting that we focus instead on “thick data” — precious, unquantifiable insights from actual people — to make the right business decisions and thrive in the unknown.”

I have listened to this Ted Talk numerous times, and infact include Wang’s extraordinary pearls in recent presentations on Big Data & AI in ophthalmology.

2. Cataract Surgery – Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery. Dr Cathleen McCabe MD – Enjoyed watching Dr. McCabe’s excellent surgical technique.

3. Journal articles – Articles on health policy and the future of telemedicine. Post-COVID offers numerous challenges for all practices.

• Berwick DM. Choices for the “New Normal”.  JAMA.  2020;323(21): 2125–2126. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.6949
• Cutler DM, Nikpay S, Huckman RS. The Business of Medicine in the Era of COVID-19. JAMA. 2020;323(20):2003–2004. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.7242
• Shachar C, Engel J, Elwyn G. Implications for Telehealth in a Postpandemic Future: Regulatory and Privacy Issues.  JAMA. 2020;323(23):2375–2376. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.7943

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6 (28 minutes). After I listen to the complete Meditations series, I plan to listen to podcast analysis. Richard Ellison, MD, an AMA leader & fellow ophthalmologist, recommends the Partially Examined Life podcast episodes here. Meditations includes free translations online:

5. (BONUS) Podcast – Preston and Stig continue to host an amazing podcast. This 2019 episode of the The Investors Podcast is on gold and offers numerous pearls for value investors. Interesting to see the gold price mentioned in the podcast vs. the $1700+ gold per ounce price today.

TIP235: Gold Miners and Other Commodity Companies w/ Marin Katusa (The Investors Podcast: We Study Billionaires)

6. (BONUS) Leadership Pearl – The Rule of Awkward Silence

Intelligent minds like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs embrace the rule of awkward silence. You should, too (Inc.com) – Justin Bariso. Very good and quick read! Includes emotional intelligence pearls.

7. (BONUS) I will be a panelist on the upcoming 1st International Video Symposium on Spectrum of Ocular Trauma. Join us on Facebook or Youtube!

Sunday June 21, 2020 at 7 pm IST

Sunday June 21, 2020 at 9:30 am EST (New York)

I hope you enjoy these selections.

Please post a comment & subscribe/follow my blog www.ProtectingSight.com!

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #5 of my daily learning goal. I’m committed to watching one TedTalk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, short story or other piece of significant work.

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I will share 4 items of learning that I’ve viewed or read the same day. This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

Here’s today’s list:

Ted Talk – How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time. Baratunde Thurston – “Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on black Americans who have committed the crimes of … eating, walking or generally “living while black.” In this profound, thought-provoking and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing — while challenging us all to level up.”

2. Cataract Surgery – Uday Devgan MD – Complete Case: loose zonular support – “Another great video in our series of Complete Cataract Cases: a dense cataract in the setting of loose zonular support. When we start to perform the cataract surgery we notice that the anterior lens capsule wrinkles extensively when we attempt to perform the capsulorhexis. This surgery is significantly more challenging than a typical cataract case, and we spend more time completing it. The entire case is showcased in the video below and while it does require a 9 minute investment of time, it is well worth it for the learning points.” I love when Uday apologizes for a “long case” which is 9 minutes!

(My 9-minute cataract surgery video is here!)

3A. Journal article (Online First) – Gordon MO, Gao F, Huecker JB, et al. Evaluation of a Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Prediction Model Using Long-term Intraocular Pressure Variability Data: A Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online June 04, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.1902

BONUS (Author interview!) – JAMA Ophthalmology Editor-In-Chief Neil Bressler, MD interviews the article’s lead author. Interview with Mae O. Gordon, PhD, author of Evaluation of a Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Prediction Model Using Long-term Intraocular Pressure Variability Data: A Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials. (Audio link here)

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 5. I found a great podcast version and listened to Book 5 today (32 minutes). I find the podcast version enjoyable versus reading with distractions. Worth listening to twice if you have the time. Here are links to free translations online:

Meditations on Guttenberg Project site (Produced by J. Boulton, and David Widger)

Meditations on mit.edu (George Long translation)

Meditations on Apple Podcast (Loyal Books). (George Long translation)

5. (BONUS) Podcasts –Freakonomics – Introducing “No Stupid Questions” (Ep. 422). “In this new addition to the Freakonomics Radio Network, co-hosts Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the relationship between age and happiness. Also: does all creativity come from pain? New episodes of No Stupid Questions are released every Sunday evening.”

I went to high school with Angela Duckworth! Great to see Cherry Hill East alums continuing to inspire (And I think my parents had a similar view of happiness vs. success, Angela!). This is an excellent episode and I’m an instant fan of the podcast.

I hope you enjoy these selections.

Please post a comment & subscribe/follow my blog www.ProtectingSight.com!

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #4 of my daily learning goal. I’m committed to watching one TedTalk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, short story or other piece of significant work.

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I will share 4 items of learning that I’ve viewed or read the same day. This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Stuart Russell – 3 principles for creating safer AI – “How can we harness the power of superintelligent AI while also preventing the catastrophe of robotic takeover? As we move closer toward creating all-knowing machines, AI pioneer Stuart Russell is working on something a bit different: robots with uncertainty. Hear his vision for human-compatible AI that can solve problems using common sense, altruism and other human values.” (ted.com) I sometimes give presentations on Big Data and AI. I enjoyed Russell’s AI insights.

2. Cataract Surgery – JT Kavanagh MD – This YouTube video has 5 million views. Excellent technique utilizing the pre-chop technique. (My YouTube cataract surgery video has only 64,000 views here!)

3A. Journal article – Hainsworth D, Gangula A, Ghoshdastidar S, et al. Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Using a Gold Nanoparticle–Based Paper Strip Assay for the At-Home Detection of the Urinary Biomarker 8-Hydroxy-2′-Deoxyguanosine. American Journal of Ophthalmology, May 2020: 306-319. (Never thought I’d read an AOS thesis!) This was an “Editor’s Choice” on the AAO’s ONE Network site. If perfected, this could be an incredible way to screen patients for diabetic retinopathy using urine sample monitoring & an iPhone/Android.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 4. I found a great podcast version and listened to Book 4 twice today (28 minutes). I find the podcast version enjoyable versus reading with distractions. Here are links to free translations online:

Meditations on Guttenberg Project site (Produced by J. Boulton, and David Widger)

Meditations on mit.edu (George Long translation)

Meditations on Apple Podcast (Loyal Books). (George Long translation)

5. (Bonus) – Today was the Wills Eye Hospital’s annual meeting. The David M. Paton, MD Lecture was delivered by Benjamin W. Roberts, MD. Tenwek Mission Hospital – Bomet, Kenya. His talk was on “Academic Global Ophthalmology.” Dr. Roberts is a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Humanitarian Award (2016). I hope Wills posts this lecture on the Wills Eye Hospital Knowledge Portal in the coming days/weeks.

I also had a cameo appearance in Wills Eye Ophthalmologist in Chief Julia Haller MD’s presentation. I participate in the Wills Eye residents introduction to cataract surgery course each July.

I hope you enjoy these selections.

Please post a comment & subscribe/follow my blog www.ProtectingSight.com!

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #3 of my daily learning goal. I’ve committed to watching one TedTalk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and one book chapter, short story or other piece of work.

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I will share 4 items of learning that I’ve viewed or read the same day. This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

There are no other rules.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Lawrence Lessig – We the People, and the Republic we must reclaim. This was the TedTalk recommendation when I logged in on my iPad. Loved the rapid-fire visuals and his compelling presentation. Worth a view. (1.5 million views)

2. Cataract Surgery – Uday Devgan MD – Complete Vertical Chop. I receive Uday’s daily emails from cataractcoach.com. His complete cases are filled with learning opportunities.

3A. Journal article – JAMA Ophthalmology Clinical Challenge. Three cases which have a clinical vignette with images, a multiple-choice question, and case discussion. All three cases are great learning opportunities! JAMA Ophthalmology would do well to not have the question and answer on the same page! JAMA Ophthalmology. June 2020; 138 (6): 702-707.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 3. I was inspired to read Meditations by listening to podcasts on value investing and stoicism. (See my Inaugural post). I found a great podcast version today, so listened to Books 1 and 2 again as well. Here are links to free translations online:

Meditations on Guttenberg Project site (Produced by J. Boulton, and David Widger)

Meditations on mit.edu (George Long translation)

Meditations on Apple Podcast (Loyal Books). (George Long translation) I listened to the Intro, Chapters/Books 1,2, and 3 today.

I hope you enjoy these selections.

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

Welcome to day #2 of my daily learning goal. I’ve committed to watching one TedTalk and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and one book chapter, short story or other piece of work.

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I will share 4 items of learning that I’ve viewed or read the same day. This page will be posted after I’ve completed the tasks.

There are no other rules.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Sir Ken Robinson – Do schools kill creativity?. This is most viewed Ted Talk ever (65.5 million views). I watched this a few years ago and well worth the second visit.

2. Cataract Surgery Video – Routine Cataract Surgery by Ike Ahmed MD. Ike Ahmed is referred to as a “rock star” among ophthalmology colleagues worldwide. He is constantly innovating, and his twice weekly webinars during the COVID-19 crisis brought together thousands of ophthalmologists worldwide to share in learning.

3A. Journal article –Factors Predictive of Remission of Chronic Anterior Uveitis Sobrin, Lucia et al. Ophthalmology. 2020; 127(6): 826-834. Approximately one third of patients with chronic anterior uveitis remit within 5 years. Longer duration of uveitis, younger age, bilateral uveitis, prior cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, presence of keratic precipitates and synechiae, and systemic diagnoses of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and spondyloarthropathy predict reduced remission incidence; patients with these factors should be managed taking into account the higher probability of a longer disease course.

3B. Journal Editorial – Waste in the US Health Care System-Insights For Vision Health. Flora Lum MD and Paul Lee MD, JD. JAMA Ophthalmology. 2019; 137(12): 1351-1352.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 2. I was inspired to read Meditations by listening to podcasts on value investing and stoicism. (See my Inaugural post) Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is mentioned often among the hosts & guests. Here are links to free translations online:

1. Meditations on the Guttenberg Project site (Produced by J. Boulton, and David Widger)
2. Meditations on mit.edu (George Long translation)
3. Meditations on YouTube (Reading by Chris Krause, based upon the Gregory Hays translation)

5. (Bonus) When I started mindful meditation, I found this amazing free 10-minute session on YouTube. 10 million views and a wonderful start to the day.

I hope you enjoy these selections.

(Addendum: I have created a page with all Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts here).

When I see a patient on telemedicine or am in my home office, I have a laptop, desktop, iPad, and iPhone available to me. I also installed a Google Nest with Google Assistant so I can verbally ask questions on demand. Perfect if I want to listen to local weather updates.

I used to watch the Sopranos, and for the past many months I’ve been mesmerized by YouTube vignettes of Sopranos episodes. Or on a whim, I’ll remember a favorite scene from Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond. I then go to Youtube TV and watch the episodes online.

It’s gotta stop! I’ve decided to go cold turkey on the Sopranos clips. And will limit the YouTube and other entertainment.

Instead, I’ve committed to watching one TedTalk (randomly selected) and one cataract surgery video each day. In addition, I plan to read one journal article and one book chapter, short story or other piece of work. Having recently cleaned out the family garage, I rediscovered decades of books from college, med school, and beyond. (More than one still had a tight book spine, but, umm … that’s another issue).

So each day — in between podcasts, Google News, YouTube, and countless other distractions — I’ve decided to include at least 4 items of learning — a Ted Talk, a cataract or ophthalmology video, a journal article, and a book chapter.

There are no other rules.

Here’s today’s list:

1. Ted Talk – Shantell Martin – How Drawing Can Set You Free. This was the first video result when I typed “Ted Talk” in Google Search. Fascinating!

2. Cataract Surgery Video – Efficient Phaco Chop (Uday Devgan MD). Uday Devgan is an old friend and started cataractcoach.com less than two years ago. I try to watch his daily update each morning (sign up for his daily email updates). His pearls are phenomenal and he’s made me a better surgeon.

3. Journal article – Real-World Outcomes of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in the United Kingdom. Khawaja AP et al. for the UK Glaucoma Real-World Data Consortium. Ophthalmology 2020: 127: 748-757. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a common treatment option for managing glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The authors assessed the real-world effectiveness of SLT and baseline factors associated with treatment success in the United Kingdom.

4. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 1. I started listening to podcasts around 2017. Since then, I came across The Investors Podcast (TIP): We Study Billionaires with Preston Pysh and Stig Broderson. Preston and Stig have interviewed guests and a network of thinkers who share a love of learning. This includes Shane Parrish (The Knowledge Project) and Sean Murray (The Good Life). (***And I decided to travel to the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway Meeting through the podcast. I eventually met Preston, Stig, Sean, Guy Spier, and Mohnish Pabrai among many who share a love of value investing).

Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is mentioned often among the hosts & guests. There are numerous translations available and I’ll try to share free links online. Here’s a link to Meditations on the Guttenberg Project site. I started with Book I today. A YouTube version is also included below.

I hope you enjoy these selections in this inaugural post!

Protecting Sight Daily Learning posts are here.

Steve Gieser, MD, MPH, a Chicago ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist, has posted poignant clinical vignettes of individuals affected by tear gas, rubber bullets, and other projectiles. You can find his posts on Instagram. #NoRubberBullets #NotOneMoreEye #SaveTheEye #ProtectingSight

For clinical pearls on tear gases and rubber bullets safety, visit http://www.NoRubberBullets.com

Congrats to my brother Sonny Goel MD and his team at Goel Vision! Enjoyed his appearance on CBS Baltimore just a day after my interview with CBS Washington DC.

My cameo with WUSA 9 Reporter Evan Koslof on the risks of ophthalmic injury with contact lens use and tear gas exposure is here. (You’ll miss it if you blink around 1:16 in the video).

My brother Sonny’s interview with WJC 13 (Baltimore) on COVID-19 safety in ophthalmology offices is here.

Feels like an epic battle between a CNN reporter and a Guv.

Congrats big brother!