Introducing our new interview series: Meet Matjaž Mihelčič

Meet Matjaž Mihelčič, a passionate optometrist and researcher with a wealth of experience in eye care and vision science. As the past president of ECOO and an important figure in the I-SCREEN project, Matjaž is dedicated to advancing collaborative approaches in healthcare. In this interview, he shares insights into his work, the challenges and successes of I-SCREEN, and the personal passions that inspire him beyond the lab.

• Name: Matjaž Mihelčič
• Institution: ECOO (other: Optika Mesec Bled, INOVA Vision Lab, Aalen University)
• Position: started as ECOOpresident / now: ECOO past president
• Field of research: Near point stress and Myopia growth; Binocular vision, Paediatric exams, Speciality contact lenses.

What is your role in the I-SCREEN team at your institution?

In the capacity of ECOO: Project leader for the WP4; as optometric site: optometrist.

What are you currently working on within the scope of I-SCREEN and what are your main goals and objectives in the project?

The main goal is to organise and coordinate optometric practices in the 6 participating countries. One goal was to identify practices which meet the criteria for participation and provide them with details so they would consider taking part; later on, we had to explain many details and organize web meetings to get them onto the project. This goal is now met, but it was much more difficult than previously thought. Currently, we are having discussions with one optometric site in Spain, after one other had to withdraw. It looks good. Further, we are simulating OCT DICOM data transfer to the platform, which needs to be anonymized and we test a script which converts the files. We had to write the report and last but not least, we needed to do some cost calculations.

What are some of the most interesting findings or insights that you have gained or are expecting to gain from your research in I-SCREEN?

Personally, I am most excited about the unique collaboration among professions and the positive attitude everyone has. The whole management turned out to be much more complex than expected. I am also pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of colleagues who work on the project on the ECOO´s side, Julie-Anne Little and Peter Gumpelmayer, as well as our General Secretary, Fabienne Eckert. Such challenges strengthen our team too.

How do you see the future impact of I-SCREEN on healthcare system?

To my knowledge, never before was there a similarly comprehensive project in the ophthalmic field in the continental EU. Of course, I am curious what results the whole project will bring – in clinical, scientific, but also organisational terms. I am very positive about the “shared care” approach, this is really the future. With some humbleness, one could say that we are working on a relatively small and limited project, but this way of management may soon become inevitable for the whole healthcare sector.

What makes working on the I-SCREEN project special for you personally?

It is the pioneering spirit, collaboration, and solving the obstacles which come our way, step-by-step.

Why do you think the I-SCREEN research is important/will make a difference?

The I-SCREEN will pave the new way of collaboration among branches of eye-care and it will be exemplary for other divisions of health care. We know that the need for team work – as well as for holistic approach – will only grow.

• Right now, I’m reading about… Rumi´s verses, I like them a lot. Also on the table, here is a German book Das Kult from Gunnar Kaiser, which I occasionally read a chapter or two. In my PC, there are dozens of articles bookmarked, which I need to catch up reading.
• One of my favourite things to do when not doing research is …going windsurfing, kitesurfing or riding electric unicycle.
• If I could have any superpower, it would be…hmm, I do not really know. I think I abandoned such wishes years ago... But, maybe, there is one – I would communicate with all humans on earth at the same time.
• One thing I cannot live without is…fine dark chocolate.
• I would love to meet …Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Jiddu Krishnamurti.
• I would love to have lunch with…journalist Freddie Sayers from UnHerd.
• My perfect day would start with … breakfast at the sandy beach, where wind was just picking up and waves were getting bigger …and it would end … with a dance on drum-music with family members, friends, colleagues, students; all of them at once. Of course, by the campfire, on the beach.
• One thing on my bucket list is…making a trip on electric unicycle over several islands of the Adriatic Sea.