David Almeida, MD MBA PhD is a vitreoretinal eye surgeon and expert in medicine business research.

1. SCARS
Dr. David Almeida
“Nowadays I don’t want a perfect face and body – I want to wear the life
I’ve lived.” Pat Benatar

2. TASK AT HAND: This week I’m thinking about scars. We
normally think of scars as negative manifestations of past
trauma. Sequels of serious harm. Instances where
circumstances went beyond our ability to repair and restore
our normal constitution. Whether they be physical,
psychological or spiritual, scars are commonly unwanted
tattoos of dramatic life events
But this view is nearsighted.
As the insightful Pat Benatar quote echoes above – you, your
body, your face and your smile – are reflections of the life you
live. The scars you collect speak volumes of the miles you
travel, the milestones you achieve, and the pain you reconcile.
These are, whether negative or positive, the greatest hits of
your life. The scars you collect are essential elements of your
constitution; consequently, they should be celebrated for, so
strong an effect they have, they change you forever.

3. “The scars you collect speak volumes of the miles you travel, the
milestones you achieve, and the pain you reconcile.”
Don’t hide from your scars! There is no need for that “perfect
face and body” Benatar alludes to above. Instead, embrace
scars, imperfections, and stains. Actually, let me go one
more: welcome the opportunity to develop new
scars! Challenge your character and choices in ways that
provide opportunities for personal growth and the ability to
foster new relationships.
When life pushes you, push back.
When you are held down, the only next move is to get back
up.
When you are questioned, answer in the affirmative. Answer
without fear of scars.

4. MEDICINE & MACULA: Check out one of our recent
publications, Dysfunctional Autonomic Regulation of the
Choroid in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy by C Nathaniel
Roybal, Elisabeth Sledz, Yasser Elshatory, Li Zhang, David RP
Almeida, Eric K Chin, Brice Critser, Michael D Abramoff &
Stephen R Russell.
It was published in the June 2017 issue of RETINA.

5. We describe the effect of changing perfusion pressures on
retinal and choroidal structure in central serous
chorioretinopathy (CSC). In this study, we found that choroidal
thickness increased in response to increased perfusion
pressures in patients with CSC and not in normal controls.
These findings likely represent an autonomic dysregulation of
choroidal blood flow in patients with CSC.
GRATIS: Happy Father’s Day to the selfless individuals who,
without fear, serve as mentors and role models!
My best to you,
David Almeida
david@davidalmeidamd.com