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Retinal expert Dr. Jennifer Lim on inclusivity, work-life balance, and the pursuit of excellence in a demanding field
Dr. Jennifer Lim, a trailblazer in retinal care, combines her passion for medical innovation with a dedication to advancing diversity in ophthalmology. Through her groundbreaking work and advocacy for women in leadership, she aims to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for both the field and the profession.
Dr. Jennifer Lim’s fascination with retinal care was sparked by the unique connection between systemic diseases and their manifestations in the retina.
“Medically, I was captivated by the fact that systemic disease had retinal manifestations. Surgically, I was drawn to the intensity and complexity of retinal surgery, particularly the non-elective nature of most retinal surgeries,” shared Dr. Lim, the director of Retina Service at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). This dual appeal of intellectual challenge and urgent, impactful surgery laid the foundation for her remarkable career.
Fostering work-life balance
As a woman advancing in ophthalmology, Dr. Lim encountered a lack of female role models in her field. Balancing her professional aspirations with family responsibilities presented additional challenges to her career journey.
“I sought to emulate both women and men who exemplified characteristics that I admired,” Dr. Lim said. “I asked them for advice, joined WIO (Women in Ophthalmology), and co-founded Women in Retina. I sought advice about family and work balance from WIO members.”
She also developed a strong sense of discipline—staying focused and using her time wisely. “For example, I would play, read or do homework with my child when she was awake, and then I would dedicate time to computer work after she was asleep,” she shared. “I complete all patient-related charts and phone calls at work. I am highly focused during my clinic and OR days, and I make sure to teach my trainees and provide them with immediate feedback.”
Dr. Lim even uses her one-hour commute to listen to audiobooks or catch up on phone calls. “At home, I prioritize self-care and family time, making sure to have dinner with my family every night unless I have a work meeting,” she continued.
When her daughter was younger, Dr. Lim made quality time with her a priority. She dedicated the hours until bedtime to her daughter, and reserved work for after-hours. Even now, family connections remain central to her routine. “We have a daily FaceTime call with our daughter at 9 pm,” she said.
She also limited professional travel, particularly international trips, unless her family could join her. “I try to adhere to my goal of not having more than one work-related trip per month, and I do not travel during the holidays,” she stressed.
Dr. Lim credited her success in part to her mentors Dr. Mort Goldberg and Dr. Julia Haller. Dr. Goldberg’s mantra, “Prior proper preparation prevents poor performance,” became Dr. Lim’s guiding principle.
Meanwhile, she learned from Dr. Haller the importance of confident, efficient and poised leadership. “I also aim to be outspoken, efficient and yet kind and caring,” Dr. Lim enthused.
Optimistic about the future of retina care
As for the groundbreaking advancements in retina, Dr. Lim is particularly excited about artificial intelligence (AI), gene therapy and cell-based therapies.
“AI has the potential to revolutionize patient care,” noted Dr. Lim. “Currently, AI can assist in diabetic retinopathy screening—we were involved in the pivotal clinical trial that led to FDA approval for one of these AI systems. In collaboration with the outstanding UIC Engineering Department, we are developing algorithms to use AI for classifying disease severity and aiding treatment decisions,” she shared.
Dr. Lim envisions a future where home-based imaging systems and personalized medicine would enable patients to present for treatment only when necessary.
“Home imaging devices, such as home-based optical coherence tomography (OCT), could transform patient management by enabling personalized medicine,” she said. “This would allow patients to seek treatment as needed, rather than undergoing routine monitoring, particularly for intravitreal injections in cases of diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).”
Gene therapy, she added, will offer cures for hereditary retinal diseases and enhance treatment durability for conditions like neovascular AMD and diabetic macular edema (DME).
“Moreover, drugs with novel mechanisms of action will assist us in achieving enhanced efficacy and durability in treating retinal conditions, such as neovascular AMD. And cell-based therapies, designed to replace lost factors or damaged cells, will restore or prevent loss of function,” Dr. Lim explained.
An advocate for diversity and inclusivity in ophthalmology
As the vice chair for Diversity and Inclusion at UIC, Dr. Lim is dedicated to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment, advocating for diverse representation in ophthalmology.
The increasing representation of women in leadership roles within ophthalmology reflects a positive shift towards greater diversity and inclusion— something Dr. Lim is proud of. “Throughout my career, I have witnessed more women be elected or appointed to leadership roles in retina societies, departments of ophthalmology, and other professional organizations,” she shared.
With that said, Dr. Lim also emphasized the critical role men play in this progress, alongside the collective effort of women striving for equity. “Women need to continue to strive for these positions, which they will achieve by their hard work and support of each other. There needs to be continued awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion,” she added.
She also encourages aspiring female ophthalmologists to pursue their goals with determination. “Go for it and aim high! Your drive and passion will carry you forward. Lean on your ‘sisters’ in the field and reach out—those who have gone before you want to help you succeed. I love it and would do it over again,” she enthused.
Looking ahead, Dr. Lim sees a future where the ophthalmology profession is more diverse and inclusive, ultimately benefiting patients and practitioners alike. “In the future, I hope that our field will reflect the diversity of the general population. Patients would see doctors who look like them, increasing trust and compliance,” she concluded.
The transformative power of passion and dedication
Dr. Lim’s journey is a testament to passion, discipline and resilience. She has forged a path that balances a rewarding career with personal commitments—all while driving innovation and championing equality in medicine.
By highlighting the transformative power of dedication and a clear vision for the future of retinal care, Dr. Lim inspires both women and men to strive for excellence in the field of retina.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article was first published in PIE magazine Issue 33.
