Spring is a great time to do a thorough updating, in a literal sense in terms of your practices, but also figuratively as it relates to your public image. Last year, we introduced the important concept of the humblebrag to our readership (clspectrum.com/issues/2021/april-2021/editor-8217;s-perspective ), and have found one year later, that is has become even more important, given the economy and associated skimpflation effects that are ever so frequent, as we all prove our worth.

It is critically important that eyecare practitioners focus on their youniverse to promote personal brands to the public and colleagues as we all race to be the king (or queen) of the (self-appointed) key opinion leader hill. It is no longer acceptable to let one’s work stand for itself to establish credibility; rather, it is critical that we typerventilate on social media promoting lots of epiphinots and nonversations, similar to what used to be important only to the preteentious. Many even use the age-old approach of Columbusing, having discovered “new” ways of managing things like ocular surface disease and contact lens fitting while carefully nerdjacking the airways. There is certainly no room for errorists in this competitive humblebrag space. The well-known “Dunning-Kruger” effect certainly comes to mind.

Have I unlightened you? We learn a lot about people who use the humblebrag methodology…they are all very proud to be a part of an esteemed group, to promote their published paper (of course with its citation counts), or even list 15 degrees and affiliations behind their names (me included!). I certainly think that many of us need to consider a metox—it would go a long way. These words may be hard for some to read, and while I would offer an apology, it would really only be a fauxpology. #SorryNotSorry

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The goal of Contact Lens Spectrum is to provide you with timely and thought-provoking articles that will help you become a more successful contact lens practitioner. Please let us know how we’re doing! E-mail CLSpectrum@pentavisionmedia.com with your comments or article submissions.