Response to the comment on Women in ophthalmology - An upsurge!

Dear Editor,

We thank the author for reading our published work, “Women in Ophthalmology - An upsurge!” and for her noble thoughts.

We agree with the author that indeed, over the decades, all around the world, women have faced difficulties in terms of gender-based differences, family responsibilities, maternity-related issues, lack of permission to higher education, salary inequity, etc., especially in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.[1] However, we would like to highlight that women are also blessed with the power to make a difference without focusing on the struggles in their lives. The legendary women that we are speaking of in our series represent the subset that have not let any social barrier affect themselves. As we have read about their lives, we have all the reasons to believe that they all have one thing in common – ”passion for their work in the field of ophthalmology”.

“Change is the only constant.” – Heraclitus

Isabel Hayes Chapin Barrows and Elizabeth Sargent[23] have indeed paved the way for women in ophthalmology, and women have gained representation in terms of academics and leadership positions over the years—bringing in a change with an everlasting impact.[4] In the current times, women strongly believe in their devotion and love for work, and that’s the strongest drive. Within a decade, from 2005 to 2015, the number of women residents in ophthalmology have risen from 35.6% to 44.3%,[5] and the social presence of women as speakers in conferences has also increased from 24.6% to 34.1% from 2007 to 2017.[6] Not just ophthalmology, women’s participation has increased significantly in all possible fields of medicine.[7]

We must also appreciate that over the years, men have not only stopped considering women as the weaker gender, but have also encouraged women to fight their own battles and given them more power by considering them their equals. Gender shall no longer be a parameter for professional success. It shall be the self-confidence and dedication that shall matter. We are proud to say that women in ophthalmology are enthusiastically changing their dreams while maintaining a work–life balance and may the whirlpool continue to get more powerful by the day.

“Let passion drive your profession.” – Oprah Winfrey

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.