S hortly after completing his residency training at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Derrick Vail, Jr, MD (1898-1973) (Figure 1), traveled to India to work at a missionary hospital and perfect his surgical skills. His father, Derrick Vail, Sr, MD (18641930) (Figure 2), also a highly respected ophthalmologist, accompanied him, as did their wives. Vail’s description of the expedition, whi...