editor's perspective

“The Times They are a-Changin'”

By Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

As you all know well, there are many notable quotes, quips, phrases, songs, films, proverbs, and the like that address change in the world. The best one to characterize some recent events in my life came from Bob Dylan: “The times they are a-changin'.” I don't think that I have ever taken an opportunity to make personal comments in my monthly editorials over the last three years as editor of Contact Lens Spectrum—it just never seemed appropriate. However, these last few months have led to substantial personal and professional changes in my life and that of my wife and close collaborator Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD. I'd like to make you aware of these new ventures, as they will be associated with tremendous growth opportunities for both me and for Contact Lens Spectrum.

Over the last several months, Kelly and I have transitioned from The Ohio State University College of Optometry to the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). With the support of UHCO's Dean Earl Smith III, OD, PhD—who just may be the most visionary and creative Dean currently at an optometric institution—in addition to the support of the rest of the administration of the UHCO, it became apparent that true growth in life requires change. Thus, with Dean Smith's leadership, we embarked on the process of creating a world class Ocular Surface Translational Research Center. The aims are to develop a team of faculty, research scientists, and graduate students and fellows centered around several core areas of ocular surface research including ocular surface biology, visual optics/imaging, epidemiology and clinical trials, and discovery and development. Our desire is that this will become the leading center for ocular surface research in the years to come and will have a significant impact on clinical care of patients. We look forward to working with our old friends and new colleagues at UHCO including people such as Drs. Alison McDermott, Jan Bergmanson, Jason Porter, Rachel Redfern, Bill Miller, Norman Leach, Michael Twa, David Berntsen, and others.

Ohio State University has served the editors of Contact Lens Spectrum well since the publication's inception in 1986. I will continue my editorship of Contact Lens Spectrum at the UHCO and look forward to utilizing the strengths of my new UHCO colleagues to help grow the journal beyond its current state so that we continue to provide cutting edge, clinical materials in the years to come. Ohio State and our Buckeye friends and colleagues will always hold a dear place in our hearts. However, big things are happening at UHCO. As the old saying goes, “everything's bigger in Texas.”