Dr Himashu Mehta Eye Surgeon gives us an inside view of what it took him to be wellknown in the Eye field
I have been practicing for the last fourteen years and I have my clinic The vision Eye Center at Juhu Mumbai. Going back to my college days is very nostalgic indeed.
When I opted for this profession, it was very competitive and growing. It was really very difficult to get into a medical college. It is a great serving people and this is one of the reasons I choose to become a doctor, it is worth it.
I want to jai hind college for my plus two classes and I then went to study medicine in 1979 at KEM and GS Medical College. It was an experience I will never forget. There was so much of learning involved. I have specialized in ophthalmology. I have done my super specialty training in ophthalmology from Houston, Texas in the United State.
In order to become further qualified, I engaged in a fellowship in vitreo-Retinal surgery with Dr. Charles A. Gracia, Director Retine services at memorial hermonn hospital in Houston, Texas. I have also been involved in some of the early studies in excimer laser in 1991 with Dr. warren cross in the United state.
My area of interest is Blade free cataract surgery and Phaco-Emulsification surgery and vitreo- Retinal surgery. I have done more than 5000 thousands surgery. I have operated some of the oldest living patients around the age of 103 and 105 years and have successfully restored their sight. I am skilled to perform the most complicated cases from cataract surgery to Lasik surgery to retinal detachment surgery. I endeavor to reduce blindness due to diabetes and I am involved in patient education and treatment for the same.
My expertise includes – when i started my career for femtosecond laser cataract surgery in Mumbai and many other field like conductive Kerlatoplasty, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinal Detachment, Retinopathy of prematurity and squint removal going back to my college days, my profession was very knowledgeable and helpful. I still remember many of them, including proof. M L Kothari who was a great orator and a brilliant teacher. He was also a great reader who thought us the importance of reading more books so we can be always powered by knowledge. Our professors enriched us a great deal.
Studies were definitely not easy! All over five years were very tough and you have to be always on your toes and study hard. The first year is itself like a revelation towards a new field and the third years in MBBS is the toughest. You really have to pull your socks to sail through. Anyway, tough times never last but tough people do.
Our social life and the meaning of fun in those days were very different. We did not have hi end coffee shops or malls and eateries to visit. We used to have lot of interactive chat sessions among ourselves and we used to go for picnics. We used to have fun in this way. Those were simple days but we bonded very well and enjoyed qualitative time together.
Apart from the canteen in KEM College, there is a special place called Katta. All former students of this college can relateto this lovely place. We used to have our meetings there. the added advantage was that from that place you could view the corridor too.
The GS Medical College has this very British architecture and it is more than 100 years old. It looks great and very impressive. It was visually appealing and I used to feel a sense of pride in studying there.
The first day of college was well... let me say, I have butterflies in my stomach. Like other students I also faced ragging, but it was not so serious then and was more of fun. I still remember after that we had a lecture by Dr Bhatnagar who spoke on a doctor’s ethics, responsibilities and duties. Yes indeed the first day memories are still fresh in my mind. It was the start of a new ara and a new life for me.
Embarrassing moments? Oh, there were lost1 especially when we have to give a presentation on different organs in the class and when our professors also used to confuse us. They could also gauge our real caliber through this. Once I gave a speech on a particular organ but spoke the futures of another. It was really embarrassing but then on realizing my mistake I was fortunately given a second chance.
According me education and practical knowledge are both very important. You cannot compromise either and you should not. There can be no practical knowledge without education in this line. Also when you have the education. You have to perfect that skill through practical knowledge. In a profession like mine we have to be particular about the precision with which we function and have to be right the very first time. One wrong move and the patient can lose his or her eyesight. We have to be extremely careful.
For those who want to enter this profession, I will advise them that total dedication towards the profession is a must. It involves a lot of hard work, patience and a tremendous sense of responsibility. One must remember we are involved with human lives and the patients trust us totally. The medical line involves long working hours and lots of studies and many years of your life. So one must be prepared for though task.
One must also continuously upgrade ones knowledge and expertise. The field is growing and new discoveries and techniques are coming up. One needs to be in touch with the latest in the field.
To Know More: http://vissioneyes.com/cataract-surgery-treatment.php
