A historic promoter of anti-infective prevention in ophthalmology disappears.
Many became acquainted with Peter Barry when he became famous throughout Europe for his study attesting to the efficacy of intracamerular administration of antibiotics in reducing the risk of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
This study formed the basis of the ESCRS guidelines on 'Prevention, Investigation and Management of Postoperative Endophthalmitis', which led to a significant change in clinical practice.
Dr Barry was also a member of the steering committee of the ESCRS FLACS study on the use of femtolaser in cataract surgery.
With his sudden and unexpected death on 26 May, after a brief illness, Dr Barry left his loved ones, friends and colleagues around the world stunned.
He was trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and for many years was director of the Department of Ophthalmology at St. Vincent's University Clinic in Dublin.
Dr Barry was one of the founding fathers of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), where he served as board member, treasurer and president.
During his two-year term as president, 2012-2013, Dr Barry played a key role in promoting the opening of ESCRS to younger people.
In an interview, published in a volume on the history of the ESCRS, he said that the main challenge in this transition was for him to understand how to help build the strength of the society in the years to come. In fact, he used to say: "For this reason, one of the main areas of activity I chose to stress was renewal - focusing on young people.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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