Health and Well-Being for the Ophthalmologist

By M. Kelly Green, MD

As physicians, we routinely counsel patients on the benefits of exercise and healthy eating habits. For the most part, among physicians as a group, as eye surgeons we have the serendipity to have time and theoretically energy to devote to the promotion of our own physical and mental well-being. We have schedules which can allow us time to go to the gym, and eat on a regular schedule even when at work. This section of PIO will be devoted to topics concerning our ongoing battle to stay fit and healthy as ophthalmologists.

There is much discussion regarding the benefit of regular aerobic exercise. Generally, we accept that exercise helps you live longer by reducing your chance of death from causes other than just heart disease, such as colon cancer. We will explore this area of research here in PIO.

The topic of ergonomics in our workplace in particular has begun to be examined in the scientific literature. We will review current literature evaluations of causes for ergonomic error, and ways to avoid these career-shortening problems. Since we will have a longer life expectancy than any generation precedent to use, we will likely be working into our eighth decade of life; avoidance of repetitive-motion musculoskeletal injury will be critical.

We welcome contributions to this section, and we hope that you find it refreshing and enlightening.

If you have an interesting article to share about health and fitness, then please email: editor@eyepearls.com