It must have been about 1981 or 1982, during my years as a music professor at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, that I got a call from one of the deans in the administration.
As a 48 year practicing Optometrist, I tell all my patients who are about to undergo cataract surgery about the Kelman Technique that they are about to have and how this ophthalmologist revolutionized cataract surgery and that his technique still being used today and every day. And, just as importantly, that he was a great saxophonist.
That's great that you do that. I don't know if he was a "great" saxophonist (if by "great" one means Trane and Rollins), but he was surely professional caliber, and a most fascinating person. THANK YOU Dr GOODERMAN.
Neat story! I had cataract surgery 5-6 years ago, my wife only last month. We both greatly appreciate our improved eyesight. 40 or so years ago my Mom had the surgery. It's great to get to know even a little bit about folks like Dr. Kelman who have made a difference in peoples' lives.
There was a much appreciated jazz dentist on the scene in Chicago for years, also a musician, who took care of everybody's chops. I've forgotten his name. I think I remember he was a trumpet player.
I just finished a memoir by another such person, Dr. Tony Fauci. One thing that struck me is the extent to which he stressed the contributions of every one of the colleagues and political figures, by name, of both parties with whom he worked to all that he was a part of. And he nearly always told us enough about each of them that WE appreciated them and their contributions.
Yes, Dr Fauci is very accomplished and that's great that he gives credit. There was a jazz dentist here in NYC, and a "jazz doctor" near the late Dizzy's home in New Jersey. That practice continues with new doctors, I believe. THANK YOU JIM!
The trouble is, the joke has grown a bit old. Kelman's original technique was to use a scalpel to make an incision into the side of the cornea to slip in the cryoprobe and ultrasound probe. Today, many surgeons are using lasers to make the incisions. Not that Dr Kelman's way is not just as good, but the laser is a bit cleaner.
Yes, I'm aware of that--I was offered the laser option, but was also told that it's not as fully covered by insurance and that, as you say, it's not necessarily better. So I didn't go for it. THANK YOU
A lot of people don't realize just how much Kelman revolutionized eye surgery. Prior to his development, the surgery involved making a 180 degree cut around the edge of the cornea, pull out the entire lens and then stitch up the incision. You would have a hospital stay of at least a week, run the risk of infection, and wind up being very farsighted, having to wear special "cataract" glasses or contacts, and the stitches would contract developing a large amount of astigmatism. I used to take care of such patients in my younger years.
If you look at pictures of Ella Fitzgerald in her later years, you'll see the glasses she wore post cataract extraction.
Now cataract extraction is akin to in-and-out burger. 10 to 20 people are appointed on one day for the surgery. A surgical center is contracted, and the surgeon goes from person to person with his team and you go home that day, see the surgeon a day or two later, then a week later and your done. And with modern technology that Kelman didn't have, the correct lens replacement can be made far more accurately, you can correct for astigmatism and can even opt for a multifocal. But Kelman's technique still is the foundation for all that subsequent technology.
Absolutely. To keep the essay on topic, I merely said that the previous method was "an ordeal," but I appreciate your writing these details for people to know. And yes, I remember Ella's thick glasses in later years. As you noted, the technique has been improved since Kelman's day, which is to be hoped and expected. THANK YOU Dr GOODERMAN.
As to that concert with few students showing up and no donations coming forward about all i could think to say to him is, “Well, Dr., that’s showbiz. One minute you’re on the Tonight Show and the next, this. My advice? Do not chuck the knife!“
As a 48 year practicing Optometrist, I tell all my patients who are about to undergo cataract surgery about the Kelman Technique that they are about to have and how this ophthalmologist revolutionized cataract surgery and that his technique still being used today and every day. And, just as importantly, that he was a great saxophonist.
That's great that you do that. I don't know if he was a "great" saxophonist (if by "great" one means Trane and Rollins), but he was surely professional caliber, and a most fascinating person. THANK YOU Dr GOODERMAN.
Neat story! I had cataract surgery 5-6 years ago, my wife only last month. We both greatly appreciate our improved eyesight. 40 or so years ago my Mom had the surgery. It's great to get to know even a little bit about folks like Dr. Kelman who have made a difference in peoples' lives.
There was a much appreciated jazz dentist on the scene in Chicago for years, also a musician, who took care of everybody's chops. I've forgotten his name. I think I remember he was a trumpet player.
I just finished a memoir by another such person, Dr. Tony Fauci. One thing that struck me is the extent to which he stressed the contributions of every one of the colleagues and political figures, by name, of both parties with whom he worked to all that he was a part of. And he nearly always told us enough about each of them that WE appreciated them and their contributions.
Yes, Dr Fauci is very accomplished and that's great that he gives credit. There was a jazz dentist here in NYC, and a "jazz doctor" near the late Dizzy's home in New Jersey. That practice continues with new doctors, I believe. THANK YOU JIM!
Great story. Obviously his passion for jazz ignited his medical brilliance.
Very happy to know you benefited and so many others.
Good point about his passion--Thank You Justin!
Now I wanna hear that joke! I need cataract surgery, I'll try to impress the eye surgeon by telliing him about Charlie the Knife!
The trouble is, the joke has grown a bit old. Kelman's original technique was to use a scalpel to make an incision into the side of the cornea to slip in the cryoprobe and ultrasound probe. Today, many surgeons are using lasers to make the incisions. Not that Dr Kelman's way is not just as good, but the laser is a bit cleaner.
Yes, I'm aware of that--I was offered the laser option, but was also told that it's not as fully covered by insurance and that, as you say, it's not necessarily better. So I didn't go for it. THANK YOU
Ha ha--Chuck the Knife you mean! The other joke is in poor taste. THANKS DEAN
A lot of people don't realize just how much Kelman revolutionized eye surgery. Prior to his development, the surgery involved making a 180 degree cut around the edge of the cornea, pull out the entire lens and then stitch up the incision. You would have a hospital stay of at least a week, run the risk of infection, and wind up being very farsighted, having to wear special "cataract" glasses or contacts, and the stitches would contract developing a large amount of astigmatism. I used to take care of such patients in my younger years.
If you look at pictures of Ella Fitzgerald in her later years, you'll see the glasses she wore post cataract extraction.
Now cataract extraction is akin to in-and-out burger. 10 to 20 people are appointed on one day for the surgery. A surgical center is contracted, and the surgeon goes from person to person with his team and you go home that day, see the surgeon a day or two later, then a week later and your done. And with modern technology that Kelman didn't have, the correct lens replacement can be made far more accurately, you can correct for astigmatism and can even opt for a multifocal. But Kelman's technique still is the foundation for all that subsequent technology.
Absolutely. To keep the essay on topic, I merely said that the previous method was "an ordeal," but I appreciate your writing these details for people to know. And yes, I remember Ella's thick glasses in later years. As you noted, the technique has been improved since Kelman's day, which is to be hoped and expected. THANK YOU Dr GOODERMAN.
As to that concert with few students showing up and no donations coming forward about all i could think to say to him is, “Well, Dr., that’s showbiz. One minute you’re on the Tonight Show and the next, this. My advice? Do not chuck the knife!“
He could play!
Ha ha true--THANKS LAZARO