In Romania, the fitting of specialty contact lenses (rigid lenses and especially scleral lenses) is still at an early stage. Being passionate about this subspecialty, I have had the privilege of learning directly from some of the best experts in the world.
The first step was alongside Dr. Tonkol Tamas, a true reference in Hungary. I knew that, given his workload, he barely has time for anything; patients wait between 6 to 8 months for an appointment, and he only accepts 2–3 new patients per month. Even so, at a conference, he “threw down the gauntlet” and asked me: “What do you say? Would you come spend a few days with me so we can work together?”
It was an honor to meet such a professional who is so open to sharing his knowledge. I am grateful for the opportunity and for the warmth and friendship with which he welcomed me. This visit helped me understand those aspects that can truly only be learned and mastered within a real practical working environment.
And now comes the surprise: Brian Tompkins.
I first saw him on stage in 2017 in Venice, and then again a year later in the Netherlands. Back then, he struck me as the best specialist in rigid contact lenses and, without a doubt, the most charismatic speaker I had ever encountered. This year, Brian was the star guest at “Myopia Days” in Romania. Together with my colleague, Alina Petric, I had the pleasure of opening the workshop, while he turned the rest of the session into a true show for the audience.
Beyond the event itself, what mattered most was the connection that formed between us. He invited us to the United Kingdom for a few days, to learn and work together in his clinic.
I left without expectations, wondering what lessons I would return home with. At 74 years old and after half a century of practice, Brian still goes to the clinic three days a week and works with the pure passion of a professional who truly loves what he does. His energy, combined with the cutting-edge technology he uses every day, gave me a genuine feeling of…
“Now THAT’s how it’s done!”
Working alongside him, I noticed the natural way he communicates with patients, the close relationship he has with his team, and his constant curiosity to explore new perspectives and approaches.
A fascinating example? Scleral lenses printed directly for the eye.
Yes, this technology exists, it can be applied, and I had the honor of being directly involved in the process right there, in his clinic.
Beyond the cutting-edge technology and the professional discussions, I returned home — just as I did after visiting Tamas — with something even more valuable: a friendship. It is remarkable how our profession allows us to build such connections. None of these experts were obliged to share their knowledge or their “trade secrets.” We all know the saying that “the craft is stolen,” but the truth is that you also need someone worth learning from.
There is another saying that when you work with joy, it no longer feels like work. Complex cases and the desire to restore vision to patients who had previously been left without real chances or solutions — these are the things that motivate us to keep learning. And the best learning is always the practical kind; those little “tips & tricks” that you simply cannot find in books.
The openness I encountered among colleagues from different countries inspired me, six years ago, to found the Opto LearningAcademy — a professional development project built around practical modules. Both within the academy and in our daily clinical work, I am surrounded by colleagues who share the same passion and constant desire to discover something new. In every clinic I have visited over the years, I understood one essential thing: the importance of the team that complements the specialist’s work. This is the only way a patient can truly benefit from complete care.
Next week, I was invited to the university to speak to first-year students about career direction. Having complete confidence in my team’s expertise, I offered this opportunity to my colleague, Alina Petric. She will share with them that beyond a CV or the field in which you excel, what truly matters is the natural way you welcome and connect with the patient — something that we ourselves continue to learn every day.
Learning does not stop once the exams are over. In a world increasingly driven by commercial interests, we at Best Optic, choose to focus on the quality of medical care and on the determination to solve cases considered “impossible.” Loyalty is not built through discounts, but through the way you manage a patient’s visual health. People immediately feel when their vision is in good hands.
After 25 years of experience, I embrace the next 25 with the same joy, passion, and thirst for knowledge.
Recently, I had the privilege of experiencing the best practical example possible, so I will end with a simple thought: may we have health and the desire to keep growing.
