If you followed Review’s special anniversary coverage this year, you’ve likely enjoyed a laugh or two at both the authors’ and editors’ expense. We’ve offered some pretty outlandish advice over the years. Like in 1902, when we printed a manuscript titled “Easter Advertising.” Your colleague of yesteryear, one Alfred Meyer, said, “We do not see why [you] should not, at least during the flower season, sell plants.” Indeed. 

We tried to redeem ourselves in 1980. Every issue that year had an insert with stock advice and investment tips—because, after all, the less time you spend worrying about your IRAs, the more time you have to focus on those darn IOPs.

But my personal favorite—in terms of cringe-worthiness—ran in 1969 and was called “How to Hire the Right Girl.” It sought to help struggling O.D.s select administrative assistants by offering this sage advice: “If the girl will be visible to your patients, forget about her new hairdo and stunning dress. Visualize how she will look in a simple skirt and blouse.” For more on what to look for in a “girl,” turn to page 47 in this month’s print issue. Ouch.

Thankfully, not everything printed in this revered journal is intended to educate. Some of it is about human connection and shared experiences. For example, how do you handle employees who routinely call out sick? We tried to answer that question in January 1985 with the smash hit “Is Your Aide an Invalid?”

You’d think someone would have written a letter to the editor to let us know where we were going wrong. My search revealed this published note from C.C. Jaxtheimer. “Your paper is all right. Put me down as a subscriber.” We printed that epic chartbuster in our Letters page and, as requested, graciously collected his one-dollar-a-year subscription fee—ironically, that’s more than many of our readers are paying a century later, so I’m not exactly sure how we managed to survive 120 years.

All joking aside, the editors at Review have immensely enjoyed sharing this special anniversary year with you, our readers. But, our research through past issues hasn’t merely uncovered our bad hair days. On the contrary, it’s given us the opportunity to bear witness to optometry’s rich history, strong leaders, vibrant personalities and brilliant minds. As we embark on our shared journey toward future milestones—with smartphones in hand and laptops in tow—we want you to know how grateful we are to be your trusted platform for sharing, educating and inspiring one another.

Amy Hellem
Editor-in-Chief