‘The times they are a-changin’.
The words of this Dylan classic resonate down the decades, and in the light of recent events, speak eloquently to life in 2022.
It feels like a lifetime of change has passed since the Eye News October/November 2022 content hit our screens. Not only seismic changes like Tariq and Gwyn demitting office, but myriad domestic and world events which have left us all in a bit of a spin. Not unlike the revolving door at No.10, which at the time of writing has yet another occupant. Who knows how long the new PM will be there but given his youth, cultural background and Indian origin, which collectively peg him a few standard deviations away from your average PM phenotype, we can but wish him well. It will be a tough gig. Not unlike when Bob went electric.
Enough of that for now, let us peek at the delights in store for Eye News December/January 2023. Cataract is the focus of Rod’s review, and covers a topic close to the hearts of all of us, the service and training aspects in this key activity is in clear need of attention as a priority. Other often overlooked topics include post-stroke visual rehabilitation and ocular manifestations of MS covered by Lauren and Alice. We have patient reports, Skanda gets to grips with nature’s trials and Dr Glaucomflecken makes an appearance with our Pete; maybe they will mention angle-closure?
Alas, we have reached the end of an era with Learning Curve. This will be our last foray into the mind of Gwyn who has given us all a decade of pearls, insights and witty repartee in unique lyrical style which we shall all miss dearly. Our loss is Welsh ophthalmology’s gain now that he is at the vanguard of a national initiative to improve services. Another tough gig, but we wish him well.
Of course, change is inevitable, no matter how much we might love status quo, no musical pun intended. Perhaps the pendulum of change will swing, or at least shift a few arcseconds towards resolving geo-political, economic and post-pandemic problems. While we await that inflexion point, those of us whose vintage allows discordant recitation of that Dylan classic and / or sat around candles during Ted Heath’s winter of discontent, must be sure to protect and nurture younger members of our profession as best we can. Whilst simultaneously chipping away at the NHS coalface to serve the burgeoning backlog of patients. Surely the toughest but most important of all gigs.
Your Ed team wish all our readers a winter of contentment, good health and enjoyment over the festive season and New Year. See you all in 2023.
