Commentary: Mentor–mentee relationship in ophthalmology – Following the footsteps of stalwarts

“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” – Steven Spielberg

I agree with Gurnani et al. that a mentor–mentee relationship is both synergistic and symbiotic. The authors have very well enumerated the qualities of an ideal mentor and mentee. A mix and match of these qualities has given ophthalmology several legendary mentors and mentees.

Great mentors commit themselves to ensure the personal and professional growth of their mentees.[1] Years of experience of a mentor can be transmitted to a mentee within a span of a few months only if this sacred relationship is respectfully maintained and honored by the mentee. It is important for the mentee to acknowledge and understand that the current knowledge and experience of their mentor is a result of years of dedication and hard work. Observing carefully will enable the mentee to see a reflection of every moment of struggle of their mentor’s life which has resulted in the current practices, habits, and management protocols followed.

Of course, mentoring works best when there is true partnership. With every mentee, the mentor gains experience, insight, wisdom, enhanced peer recognition, satisfaction, and grows as a teacher with better mentorship skills.[1,2] Similarly, a mentee is able to sharpen their surgical, clinical and professional skills, and grow limitlessly by following the principles taught by the mentor(s) that they come across in life. Indeed, an institution plays an important role in one’s career; however, the role of a perfect mentor in one’s life adds exceptionally to the personal and professional growth of the mentee.[2]

The COVID-19 era has indeed been trying times and has adversely affected clinical and surgical training.[3,4] However, mentors and mentees understand the deficiencies brought into our system due to the pandemic. The role of tele-mentoring must not be forgotten in the current COVID-19 times. Nearly all of us have benefitted from this interactive educational method which promotes education through distance tutoring by experts.[5,6] Even though the traditional teaching system cannot be replaced, the advancements in video-conferencing system have provided majorly for covering the gaps created by the global pandemic. Mentors are working harder to bring in newer teaching modalities to pass on their knowledge efficiently. At the same time, mentees are energetically looking forward to learning with enthusiasm and verve, leaving no stone unturned, thereby keeping the mentor–mentee relationship evergreen.

“If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.” – J. Loren Norris