Anat Galor

Staff physician, Miami Veterans Hospital, Professor of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you?

I love hiking and am most proud of reaching the bottom of Everest (Base Camp).

Why did you decide to pursue ophthalmology/your subspecialty?

I wanted to be a primary care physician and surgeon all at the same time. And ophthalmology has allowed me to manage complex patients over the long term, while performing surgery.

Who is someone in ophthalmology/your subspecialty that you feel has been particularly influential over the past 10 years?

Carol Karp and Sonia Yoo have been two of my role models since I started my career in ophthalmology. They are both inspirational women, superb doctors, amazing surgeons, innovative researchers, and great moms.

What’s been the biggest breakthrough in ophthalmology/your specific field over the last 10 years?

The recognition that, although they are difficult to see, corneal nerves likely underlie or modify most ocular surface disease processes. Understanding and treating nerves is an emerging concept in the field and will improve the care of individuals.

Is there a particular tool, technological advance, or instrument you would not have been able to live without over the past 10 years?

The high-resolution anterior segment OCT has revolutionized my clinical practice and assists me with arriving at the correct diagnosis for ocular surface lesions.

What would you like to see change in ophthalmology/your subspecialty over the next 10 years – and why?

My hope is to see cell-based therapy replace many of our procedures, especially corneal transplantation. That would be of benefit to individuals who require serial transplants (those with corneal edema and glaucoma tubes) and individuals who are at high risk of surgery.