Prof. Barbara Cvenkel, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist and the Head of Glaucoma Unit, Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia, is convinced that the IMA contest is important because in this way we get a very good overview of research work and publications in our region. The IMA is also a recognition of research, especially research work which is focused on clinical areas, and an incentive to persist with research and to publish findings in the future.

As our expert panel member for ophthalmology, she is convinced that the published articles of the annual winners are of high quality and that it is often difficult to decide whom to award the prize, but the scoring criteria are clear. We can be satisfied with research work in our region, and studies with international cooperation especially stand out in terms of quality.

She is also involved in research work and this part is both a pleasure and a challenge for her, because in this way a doctor can get to the bottom of unresolved issues, and the results of research can contribute to better treatment of patients. She estimates that the conditions for research work for Slovenian doctors who perform clinical work are poor.

“Even university-oriented clinical institutions do not support research enough. We would need better support of the information technology with programs specific for individual clinical areas with which we could obtain relevant clinical data and analyse them. Of course, it is also necessary to support clinically oriented research work in terms of time and financial means; from planning and implementation of research to the publication of articles, because publications in most scientific journals are payable.”

As an ophthalmologist she estimates that rapid development has taken place in this area over the last 10–15 years, mainly due to the introduction of new imaging technologies. As a result, today they can detect, treat and monitor certain eye diseases that have been considered untreatable for decades, which applies especially to the retina and choroid. We are also witnessing great advances in genomics where genes and their functions are being studied, which will help with early diagnosis and treatment of, for example, diabetic retinopathy or retinopathy of pigmentosa.

She loves her job at the clinic and considers it a pleasure. She would be happy to have a better organization of work, because doctors and nurses have less and less time to communicate with the patients, which is the foundation of good understanding, treatment of illness and mutual trust.

Clinical and research work takes up a lot of her time, but when she is free, she prefers to spend her time on trips, which currently need to be postponed, as well as finds calm and relaxation in music, reading and sports.