Next in our series of Ophthalmologist Power List interviews, we talk to Dr John Berdahl about his experiences as an ophthalmologist. Dr Berdahl of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was named one of the emerging leaders in the 2019 Power List. He is widely regarded as one of the leading international cataract surgeons, and is one of the few surgeons in the USA who is fellowship trained in advanced cataract surgery, corneal surgery, glaucoma surgery, and refractive surgery. In this short interview, Dr Berdahl describes the work that interests him most, and the latest innovations in intraocular lenses.
Q: What motivated you to become an ophthalmologist? Â
To help patients with fixable problems in their moments of vulnerability.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far? Â
I have particularly enjoyed training ophthalmology residents pursuing a fellowship. I have also found many aspects of my recent research rewarding. Some of our own ideas I have pursued recently include investigating the contribution of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure to the pathophysiology of glaucoma, and the use of the Equinox balance goggles. I have also been working on a new sublingual sedation for cataract surgery, known as the MKO Melt. Finally, I enjoy connecting patients and experts through ExpertOpinion.md.
Q: What developments are you most excited to hear about in 2019/2020? Â
I am particularly excited by the light adjustable lens and trifocal intraocular lenses that are coming to the USA. After the light-adjustable lens is implanted in the eye, its refractive power can be adjusted for myopia or hypermetropia and also for astigmatism, through the radiation of ultraviolet rays emitted from outside the eyeball. These offer the patient optimum adjustment and personalisation.
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Support: No funding was received in the publication of this Insight article.
Published: 25 July 2019
Author profile:
John Berdahl specializes in advanced cataract surgery, corneal surgery, and glaucoma surgery, in addition to refractive surgery. Dr Berdahl
completed his ophthalmology residency at Duke University and completed a fellowship in advanced anterior segment surgery at Minnesota Eye
Consultants with Dr Richard Lindstrom. He is now the director of the fellowship at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
