Margin of error is what matters and when it matters the most
March 1, 2026
By: Kevin Chan, OD, MS, FAAO, IACMM
Photo Credit: Getty Images
“Ouch! The former Olympian has slipped off the podium by one hundredth of a second in the Alpine Skiing Competition!’”
“Oh no! The American skating prodigy, Ilia Malinin, fell twice in his signature move! He lost the medal!’”
These were just a few highlighted commentaries I heard amid watching the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games in the past two weeks. They were all high-stakes, nail-biting competitions, with skin-thin margins of errors.
As brutal as it appears, this is what separates “good” from “great,” and “great” from the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time). On the surface, Olympic athletes are often celebrated or glamorized for their incredible achievements. But in reality, the moment of glory is often surrounded, or technically marred, by repeated falls and setbacks that few know of. Popularized as the “Quad God,” young rising star Ilia Malinin is currently the only ice skater to successfully land a fully rotated quadruple axel in international competitions. Think of making four and half rotations in less than 0.80 seconds midair! After the so-called “disastrous” individual event in the Winter Olympic Games, with surprise to many, Ilia calmly said at the press conference:
“It isn’t a problem if I win or lose. What is important and what I hold in the greatest regard is whether I did or didn’t try to aim for the highest.”
SUCCESS—THE DEFINING MOMENT OF THE MARGIN OF ERROR
It isn’t that Ilia didn’t care about victory. But in his athletic mindset, victory isn’t equal to, or the only path to, success. What I learned from the Olympic athletes, or the Olympic spirit at large, has directly impacted how I approach patient care—particularly in the realm of pediatric myopia care.
Just as the medals are determined by blade angle, body rotational torque and timing, the prevailing belief of success often heralded by the medical profession is the clinicians’ expertise and “treatment success rate.” While these attributes are essential, they do not necessarily encompass or matter to parents and their children. After encountering thousands of children and families who have been keen on seeking answers and anxiously hope for remedies for their child’s progressing myopia, it made me realize one thing: It is not simply about WHAT I as a clinician can do for the child and the family; rather, it is more about HOW I approach what I do WITH them.
Standing Out in Champion’s Value and Mindset, not Merchandise
Here are a few key lessons that have taught and inspired me to “stand out” for my patients:
- Be Essential Yet Distinct. Your core intent and purpose of bringing myopia care for young patients is commonly known or understood. Patients can easily search “myopia control providers” on Google based on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). But genuinely—what makes you stand out from a vast crowd? Why do you expect new patients would choose you or your practice over others? Doing something essential, but also distinct and unique in philosophy and techniques displayed on social media, has become a trendy way to help elevate your presence and set your practice apart for prospective patients.
- Be Real, Not Rosy. In the contemporary era of myopia care for patients, authenticity matters much more than ever. Be real to your young patients. Children’s creativity and so-called “rawness’“ can be far beyond what adults can imagine. Children aren’t bystanders; they are often observant enough to understand how myopia can negatively impact their vision for life. Do not simply talk to children; talk WITH them. Seeking feedback and discussing with children what they value the most by their eyesight is far more powerful and valuable in building trust and rapport than showing projection graphs or retinal images. Less show-and-tell. Make them feel heard and valued.
- Losing is Gaining. With the aforementioned lesson inspired by Ilia Malinin, the definition of success differs among individuals. The oxymoron of success is indeed about LOSING—with direction. Frankly, pursuing myopia management can sometimes be filled with frustration or feel like getting lost in the wilderness. Nevertheless, making myopia management stand out or successful is paradoxically about losing perfection, losing presumptions and more importantly, losing the doctor-patient barrier.
We do not get to define success. Patients do. As clinicians, we often focus on success as what ‘we do right.’ But as the stakes of myopia heighten, practicing exemplary myopia care isn’t simply about ‘what we do right,’ but finessing ‘What NOT to do’ at the elite level is paramount. The ‘Toothbrush Theory’ inspires me, because while it is absolutely important to fill the void of myopia care for children as an essential need, standing out requires a personal touch and individuality.
Figuratively, everyone needs a toothbrush, but the one you choose says a lot about what you value. Pursue the journey of myopia management not simply with intention, but also in razor-thin precision coupled with authenticity.
