Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr., MD (1889-1954).

PURPOSE: Most ophthalmologists in the US recognize the name "Bascom Palmer" but few are familiar with the individual for whom the Eye Institute is named. This article reviews the biography of Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr., MD (1889-1954). DESIGN: Historical review. METHODS: Historical documents were reviewed, including the archives of the University of Miami, the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other sources. RESULTS: Palmer, born in Lake City, FL in 1889, was the younger son of a Florida politician. He graduated from what was then called the College of Medicine of the Tulane University of Louisiana (now the Tulane University School of Medicine) in 1914, followed by a two-year internship at Touro Infirmary, service in the army during World War I, and finally a post-graduate course in ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1923. He then moved to Miami, where he became influential in two new organizations: the University of Miami, founded in 1925, and the Florida Association of Workers for the Blind (now the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired), founded in 1930. He forged collaborations between these two organizations which eventually led to the foundation of the eponymous Eye Institute. CONCLUSIONS: The decades-long collaboration between the Miami Lighthouse and the University of Miami, facilitated by Palmer, ultimately led to the founding of the Eye Institute.

Charity Care in Ophthalmology, 2024.

PURPOSE: To review changes in the provision of charity eye care in the past 50 years with hypothesized resulting effects on surgical training and patient outcomes. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: Case report, comparison of experience in community and training program settings, and selected literature review. RESULTS: The population to which charity care applies has shrunk as broader insurance coverage has been legislated, but in 2023 remains at approximately 7.3% of the US population. In areas with ophthalmology training programs, house staff supervised by faculty provide most of the charity care. In areas without training programs, a shrinking pool of willing private practitioners provides charity care. Because there is no organized financial support behind provision of charity, nonanecdotal data needed to assess the problem and guide decision making are lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Charity eye care in ophthalmology in 2024 is a patchwork of transient, local efforts that have a few common themes: absent material basis for sustainability, a narrowing base of support by clinicians, transfer of care to training programs, and financial vetting of applicants by nonclinicians. Unless universal health care legislation passes, which would eliminate the issue, suggestions for improvement include broader voluntary participation by private practice ophthalmologists in charity eye care, allocation of charity care spending by nonprofit hospitals to support this effort, and clinician-determined criteria for provision of charitable surgery supported by involved hospital systems.

The 100th Anniversary of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

This is a special year for the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) as we celebrate 100 years of board certification. To mark this occasion, this supplement is being published, which provides an update on initial and continuous certification provided by the ABO. This editorial highlights a variety of changes in physician self-regulation through board certification.