Protecting Sight #202: The thrilling potential for off-grid solar energy. Intraoperative aberrometry, adversarial attacks on deep learning models, and the “do not” do list for ophthalmic conditions. Elihu Yale’s first gift to Yale College.

Welcome to my daily learning journal. My daily goal is to watch one Ted Talk and one cataract surgery. I also plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, podcast, or significant work.

Here is today’s list:

1. Ted Talk Amar Inamdar: The thrilling potential for off-grid solar energy. “There’s an energy revolution happening in villages and towns across Africa — off-grid solar energy is becoming a viable alternative to traditional electricity systems. In a bold talk about a true leapfrog moment, Amar Inamdar introduces us to proud owners of off-grid solar kits — and explains how this technology has the opportunity to meet two extraordinary goals: energy access for all and a low-carbon future. “Every household a proud producer as well as consumer of energy,” Inamdar says. “That’s the democracy of energy.” (Followed by a brief Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson)” (ted.com)

Worth a watch! Solar energy will continue to transform developing countries. I’ve read articles of Indian railway systems which utilize solar energy also. Phenomenal innovations. Hopefully, post-COVID, I hope one-day to return to East Africa and Asia and see these technologies in action.

2. Cataract Surgery – Richard J. Mackool MD – Episode 29: The Use of Intraoperative Aberrometry to Confirm Toric IOL Power Calculation in a Highly Myopic Eye. Dr. Mackool writes, “After first removing the anterior subcapsular cataract in a highly myopic patient, I then demonstrate the use of intraoperative aberrometry to confirm the toric IOL power calculation. Discussions include how to best manage a significantly deep chamber and how to correct the rare occurrence of a toric IOL that rotates postoperatively.”

Great case and technique.

3. Yoo TK, Choi JY. Outcomes of Adversarial Attacks on Deep Learning Models for Ophthalmology Imaging Domains. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(11):1213–1215. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3442

AI will need to prepare for “generated perturbation” … i.e. malware! A most interesting research letter.

4. Diana Scarisbrick and Benjamin Zucker. Elihu Yale: Merchant, Collector & Patron. Chapter 6, “Philanthropist.” Another fascinating chapter on Elihu Yale’s philanthropy, and the correspondence which led to his gifts to a fledgling school in Connecticut. Included with Yale’s original gifts is this portrait of King George I. I love the Yale Art Gallery’s accession number, “1718.1“!

5. The “Do not in Ophthalmology” list by Andrew Lee, MD. Love this list of therapies to avoid in patients with particular conditions. (YouTube)