As of 2020, 56% of new glaucoma certifications were being earned by women.1 Women now also have access to countless opportunities in the glaucoma subspecialty, but it wasn’t always that way. That path was paved by their predecessors, who may have been one of a few women—or the only one—in their department or practice. And even today, as women’s numbers increase in the subspecialty, challenges remain—including a gender disparity in pay and in access to leadership roles.

This is why a discussion is warranted about being a woman in glaucoma. At the 2024 American Glaucoma Society meeting, Glaucoma Physician, with the support of Thea Pharmaceuticals, convened a panel of glaucoma specialists to examine the unique particulars of practicing glaucoma today as a woman. The panel included Marlene R. Moster, MD, Dilru C. Amarasekera, MD, Shivani Kamat, MD, Natasha Nayak Kolomeyer, MD, Eydie G. Miller-Ellis, MD, and Mary Qiu, MD. These women represent a range of career stages, practice settings, 
and backgrounds, and their discussion highlighted how far women have come in the field. They discussed the many positive experiences they’ve had collaborating with their women colleagues, and shared insights on the choices they’ve made throughout their own careers. They imparted invaluable advice for women starting out in both ophthalmology and glaucoma.

We hope the audience of this discussion will be inspired to continue advancing ophthalmology, and specifically glaucoma, in their own distinctive ways. We are thankful for the partnership and support by Thea Pharmaceuticals in helping put forward this dialogue.

Jennifer Ford, Senior Managing Editor
Glaucoma Physician

References
1. Steren B, Yee P, Feng S, Pepple KL, Kombo N. Gender distribution in ophthalmology subspecialties between 1992 and 2020. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022;63(7):1064-A0159.