Research team takes off with Tariq on board
by Mary Harboe
Similarities between pilots and surgeons are often made. One school of thought goes as far as to suggest that surgeons should “earn their wings” by taking on board various aviation safety practices to help them handle the unexpected in the operating theatre.
However, even if you wouldn’t go that far, we passengers and patients would all agree that to be the best in either profession requires tremendous skill, outstanding concentration, mental agility and dexterity; as well as – of course – excellent eye sight.
A pilot himself, laser technician Tariq Lewis is well qualified to recognise the special requirements needed to excel in both the cockpit and the world of laser eye surgery. It is not surprising that, as a pilot of high-powered, single engine planes with a penchant for aerobatics, Tariq is equally at home in the exacting environment of the London Vision Clinic.
“I read somewhere that pilots and surgeons often have the same interests and skill sets,” Tariq says. “The feeling when flying these small planes is pretty unique. It’s not like the adrenaline rush from, for instance, driving a car fast or doing a bungee jump – it’s more about the intensity of control. You are really pushing yourself and your aircraft to the limit which allows you to get into a mental state where everything else falls away. When you are up there flying, you forget about everything else. There is nothing quite like it for me.”
Tariq’s passion for flying goes back to childhood; after receiving the gift of a cockpit flying experience at the age of 15, he was completely hooked.
In a strange twist of coincidence, Tariq attended Orley Farm School in Harrow – the same school as Professor Dan Reinstein. He was always interested in science subjects and, by the time he reached secondary school, it was clear that he had a flare for physics.
London’s Imperial College beckoned, and Tariq gained both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in physics.
Meanwhile, Tariq managed to maintain his passion for flying, alongside his university life. Having joined the air cadets at school, he became an enthusiastic participant in the university Gliding Club, as well as becoming a member of the Royal Air Force Reserves.
“It meant that while reading physics at university, I could spend the weekends doing leadership and flying training. When I got more senior in the squadron, I moved on to training the younger students”, he says.
After university, Tariq volunteered as a gliding instructor with the RAF’s Volunteer Gliding Squadron. He explains how gliding differs from powered flight:
“Because there is less multi-tasking needed, it requires less training. For me, all flying is good flying – but my passion remains for powered flight, ideally in small aerobatic planes.”
Although Tariq specialised in lasers and optics for his Master’s, he had not thought about applying this knowledge to a career connected with laser eye surgery until he saw an advertisement for a job at the London Vision Clinic. “They wanted someone who was comfortable with numbers, analytical and with excellent attention to detail,” he remembers. Having joined the London Vision Clinic in January 2013, Tariq is now involved in the day to day programming of the laser and ultrasound machines, as well as liaising with the surgeons to develop the best treatment plan for each patient.
Significantly, Tariq also became a London Vision Clinic patient in October 2013, when Professor Reinstein corrected his astigmatism (of three diopters). The problem had come to light while attending university lectures, Tariq recalls: “I realised I needed to sit no further than three rows back in the lecture hall. Even then – and with glasses – I was still struggling to see properly. Although I could read the numbers, they were always a bit distorted and never quite right.
“I guess I just got used to that. It is only now, after I had the surgery, that I realise how different things can be. It has even improved my contrast sensitivity, and my night vision. Everything looks crisper and sharper, even colours are brighter because of the improved contrast.”
Considering this massive improvement, it seems incomprehensible that Tariq had to wait until he was certain that he would not be pursuing a military career before having the procedure – which is still not on option for military flight personnel.
“The reasons for this might have been valid 20 years ago, but with modern technologies and techniques (like the ReLEx SMILE procedure) this policy really is antiquated,” he explains.
“It’s no longer the same for commercial pilots – they are now allowed to have laser eye surgery. It’s ironic because, historically, the technologies used in the military for years have eventually filtered down to the civilian world. But with laser eye surgery, it’s the opposite – at least, at the moment!”
Tariq still spends as much of his free time as possible in the air – he is working his way up the aerobatic pilots’ ladder towards taking part in national competitions, with the ultimate goal of flying at air displays.
“I’m on a long and fun journey to get there,” he says. “Most air display pilots and competition champion pilots are in their 40s or 50s – it takes an entire career’s worth of work. Eventually I would love to fly in an aerobatic team, but for now I am too junior for that.”
Ready for more London Vision Clinic news?: Read about Patient Care Coordinator Tuuli, who had her own laser eye surgery this year