Drs. Priya Vakharia and Sarwar Zahid join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss the history, major recent changes, and future of the Good Days Chronic Disease Fund as it pertains to medical management of patients with retinal disease.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Although severe thyroid eye disease (TED) is easily recognizable, mild TED may go undiagnosed for months if not longer. In today's episode, Dr. Vivek Patel joins host Dr. Amanda Redfern to share how he uncovers subtle signs and symptoms of TED that can lead to a quicker diagnosis and the treatments that make a meaningful impact on quality of life.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Prithvi Sankar and Sriram Balasubramanian discuss a personal journey through vision loss, from both the ophthalmologist and patient perspective. Host Dr. Ben Young invites these two friends to share their lessons of grief, denial, and ultimate acceptance of a difficult diagnosis—in this case, retinitis pigmentosa—and what physicians can do to help their patients through these life-changing events.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Sarah Read, M. Ali Khan, and Ajay Kuriyan talk through the management of 3 serious anterior segment surgical complications that commonly end up in the hands of retina specialists: retained lens material, endophthalmitis, and choroidal detachment.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Ambar Faridi, O'Rese Knight, and Fasika Woreta, members of the Academy's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work group for resident education, discuss the importance of DEI, strategies to improve diversity and equity in ophthalmology, and future challenges to address in resident selection.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Maura Di Nicola and Basil Williams map out a systematic approach to assessing ocular lesions, from the front of the eye to the back. The panel discusses primary decisions, such as when to refer, what tests to perform before referral, and how urgently to act.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Meron Haile and Daniel Choi rejoin the show to break down conventional interventions and newer pharmacologic advances in presbyopia management, including the recently FDA-approved pilocarpine eye drop (Vuity; Allergan).

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Alison Watson and Seanna Grob review recent data on teprotumumab, the only FDA-approved therapy for thyroid eye disease.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Jessica Shantha and Brian Do offer a crash course on how to methodically assess the uveitis patient, moving from the front of the eye to the back to diagnose anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Meron Haile and Daniel Choi review recent advances in premium intraocular lenses and real-world implementation of same-day (or immediate sequential) bilateral cataract surgery, including patient selection, preoperative assessment, and postoperative regimens.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Pavlina Kemp and Matthew Weed offer clinical pearls on current options for preventing myopia progression, ranging from topical therapy with atropine to orthokeratology to lifestyle or environmental measures.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Lorraine Provencher and Matthew Emanuel join the show to discuss current nonsurgical management options for glaucoma patients. The panel reviews new topical therapy such as rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors, injectable therapy, and the role of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) based on the the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) trial.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

In our first episode, Drs. Fasika Woreta and Brenton Finklea join the show to review corneal transplantation options in 2021. The panel discusses how to evaluate the cataract surgery candidate for risk of corneal endothelial decompensation, as well as planning and prioritizing multiple ophthalmic procedures. They wrap up with an in-depth review of DSEK and DMEK, and the future of corneal transplantation surgery, which might include cultured epithelial cells.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Bradley Katz joins host Dr. Amanda Redfern to share updates on the diagnostic imaging of optic disc drusen and current research efforts from the Optic Disc Drusen Consortium, an international alliance of researchers focused on optic nerve disorders.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Durga Borkar and Yashaswini Singh join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss their recent publication regarding private equity (PE) acquisition and access to retinal detachment surgery. According to the study, physicians in PE-acquired practices decreased their number of retinal detachment repairs by nearly 20% after acquisition, potentially negatively impacting access to care and patient outcomes.

Discussed in today's podcast: Singh Y, Cardenas GB, Torabzadeh H, Whaley CM, Borkar D. Private Equity-Owned Physician Practices Decreased Access To Retinal Detachment Surgery, 2014-22. Health Affairs. 2025 May;44(5):589-596.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Elyse McGlumphy and Soshian Sarrafpour join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to talk about the range of and reasons for intraocular pressure (IOP) variance, as well as the studies debating its significance for glaucoma.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Host Dr. Ben Young invites Drs. Roni Levin and Evan Silverstein to review the current state of amblyopia treatment, ranging from the mainstays of patching and atropine drops to novel advances such as dichoptic therapy.

Below are some references regarding dichoptic therapy that were discussed in this episode:

Xiao S, Angjeli E, Wu HC, Gaier ED, et al. Luminopia Pivotal Trial Group. Randomized controlled trial of a dichoptic digital therapeutic for amblyopia. Ophthalmology. 2022 Jan;129(1):77-85.

Wygnanski-Jaffe T, Kushner BJ, Moshkovitz A, Belkin M, Yehezkel O. CureSight Pivotal Trial Group. An eye-tracking-based dichoptic home treatment for amblyopia: A multicenter randomized clinical trial. Ophthalmology. 2023 Mar;130(3):274-285.

Koc I, Bagheri S, Chau RK, Hoyek S, et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis of digital therapeutics for amblyopia. Ophthalmology. 2025 Jun;132(6):654-660.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. John Kitchens and Andy Schimel join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss current and emerging applications for artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to both patients and physicians. The sweeping conversation covers resources for low-vision patients, as well as how large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Gemini can improve efficiency, creativity, and accuracy in a variety of clinical, professional, and other settings. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Chris Conrady and Akbar Shakoor join host Dr. Ben Young to teach us about why intraocular inflammation (IOI) sometimes occurs after intravitreal injections, how to differentiate these cases from endophthalmitis, and how to manage this potentially blinding condition.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Advocacy and policy leaders Dr. Michael Repka and Rebecca Hyder join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to share their experiences and perspectives about the Academy's work engaging with policy stakeholders. The conversation reviews recent government healthcare funding debates that may affect Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

In today's episode, host Dr. Amanda Redfern invites Dr. Nancy Newman to share updates in the treatment of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), covering several clinical trials underway that involve idebenone and gene therapy. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

In today's episode, host Dr. Jay Sridhar is joined by Dr. Bobeck Modjtahedi to discuss the American Academy of Ophthalmology's new guidelines on autoimmune retinopathy (AIR), recently published in Ophthalmology Retina. A member of the Academy's task force on AIR and lead author, Dr. Modjtahedi discusses a new diagnostic framework for categorizing AIR as probable, possible, or unlikely based on specific clinical criteria. The guidelines address the challenges in diagnosing this rare condition that mimics inherited retinal diseases, and outline a standardized approach to classification for both clinical practice and research.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

The unprecedented payment cuts that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed over the summer were finalized on October 31. The disastrous impact on cataract surgery reimbursements alone will amount to an 11% reduction in payment.

In today's emergency episode, host Dr. Andrew Pouw welcomes back three guests to rally ophthalmologists to take action: Dr. John McAllister, the Academy's Secretary for Federal Affairs; Brandy Keys, the Academy's Director of Health Policy; and Rebecca Hyder, the Academy's Vice President of Government Affairs. 

Physicians shouldn't have to choose between staying open and serving their Medicare patients. Congress needs to hear directly from ophthalmologists like you before these cuts are enacted.

Please, make your voice heard. Use this easy form to reach Congress.

Essential Academy Resources:

• Contact Congress Now: www.aao.org/act-now
• Summary of CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
• Past podcast episode: CMS Cuts Rock Ophthalmology

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Davinder Grover and Ronald Fellman join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to discuss their latest innovative surgical advancement: interventional valve-enhancing trabeculotomy (iVEnT), an angle-based minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedure. Compared with a traditional goniotomy, this alternative approach may be less invasive, sparing tissue and offering faster visual recovery for glaucoma patients.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Michael Puente joins host Dr. Ben Young to share his experience founding the first eye clinic specifically for adult and pediatric patients with intellectual developmental delay. Dr. Puente provides practical tips for all ophthalmologists to improve their care for this vulnerable population.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Louise Mawn and Jonathan Siktberg sit down with host Dr. Amanda Redfern to share their work on a groundbreaking paradigm shift in the treatment of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis with dilute hypochlorous acid.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. M. Ali Khan and Ajay Kuriyan join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss updates in the retina space, including the FDA approval of photobiomodulation for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), OCT and OCTA reimbursement changes, and surgical technology advances.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Ashkan Abbey and Ehsan Rahimy join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss recent developments in the medical retina and injectable space, including faricimab versus high-dose aflibercept, biosimilars for ranibizumab and aflibercept, off-label bevacaziumb shortages, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) therapies, private equity acquisitions, and the new drug pipeline.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Pediatric ophthalmologists Drs. Michelle Cabrera and Alejandra de Alba join host Dr. Ben Young to discuss the pros and cons of using botulinum toxin (Botox) for treating patients with strabismus, and whether every pediatric ophthalmologist—or even general ophthalmologist—should have this technique in their toolbox.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans (also known as "Part C") are rapidly increasing in use, and beneficiaries' co-pay and claims denials are becoming more frequent. In today's episode, host Dr. Andrew Pouw talks with Academy billing and advocacy experts Joy Woodke and Brandy Keys to learn more about MA plans and their impact on patients and how ophthalmologists deliver care.

To review the requirements put forth by your Medicare Administrative Contractor, visit the Academy's page on local coverage determination policies.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Host Dr. Amanda Redfern welcomes oculoplastic surgeons Drs. Davin Ashraf and Natalie Hoesly to discuss their approaches to postoperative pain management, with the help of a pain and addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Pat Liu.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Leading glaucoma experts Drs. Jamie Brandt and Pradeep Ramulu join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to talk about the burden of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of mild glaucoma, and mitigation strategies both in the clinic and at the policy desk.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Host Dr. Amanda Redfern welcomes Dr. Sravanthi Vegunta, a pediatric and neuro-ophthalmologist, to explain how to select the right radiologic imaging when you suspect a neuro-ophthalmic disorder. Dr. Vegunta breaks down idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), papilledema, optic neuritis, optic atrophy, third and fourth cranial nerve palsies, Horner syndrome, and nystagmus. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

In this call to action, Drs. Robert Mazzoli, Stuart Seiff, and Jon Perlstein share the scope of issues surrounding ophthalmic trauma care in the United States and a roadmap for improving it, including how we can translate experiences from the military into our own set of Damage Control Ophthalmology (DCO) guidelines.

Referenced article: A Call to Action and Roadmap for Improving Emergency Treatment of Ophthalmic Trauma in the United States

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Himani Goyal and Rahul Tonk sit down with host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss various diets (e.g., plant-based and Mediterranean) and nutritional supplements in the context of corneal and retinal disease, focusing on how to advise patients given what we know and what's supported by evidence and other medical specialties.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Thomas Johnson sits down with host Dr. Andrew Pouw to share exciting developments in regenerative stem cell research that may one day cure glaucoma.

Learn more about Dr. Johnson's work in a recent presentation he delivered on behalf of the Glaucoma Foundation, and through the Retinal Ganglion Cell Repopulation, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Optic Nerve Regeneration (RReSTORe) Consortium. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Jason Comander and Rachel Huckfeldt join host Dr. Ben Young to review management considerations for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The discussion highlights the winding story of nutritional supplementation recommendations for vitamin A, and the importance of reanalyzing data behind established care patterns. While the latest findings confirm that vitamin E supplementation should still be avoided, they no longer support any generalized neuroprotective effect of high-dose vitamin A for RP. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Peter Quiros joins host Dr. Amanda Redfern to discuss the recent JAMA Ophthalmology article "The Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutide," the first study to report a possible association between semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Novo Nordisk) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Dr. Quiros provides an overview of what the study showed and what remains unknown, and how ophthalmologists should discuss these recent findings with their patients.

Check out the Semaglutide and NAION patient brochure, courtesy of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), and available from www.nanosweb.org.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Host Dr. Andrew Pouw welcomes Drs. Aakriti Shukla, Mahsaw Mansoor, and Alan Robin to discuss the latest sustainability initiatives in the ophthalmic OR and clinic that reduce waste, economic costs, and environmental impact.

The participants gratefully acknowledge the joint support of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the inspiration from physicians at the Aravind Eye Hospital, and the following individuals for their commitments to sustainability in ophthalmology: David Chang, MD, Barbara Erny, MD, Cathleen McCabe, MD, David Palmer, MD, Emily Schehlein, MD, and Cassie Thiel, PhD.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Maura Di Nicola and Basil Williams join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss the latest ongoing ocular oncology clinical trials for the treatment of uveal melanoma and associated complications of radiation therapy.

Their review begins with the DRCR Retina Network's Protocol AL, which is studying the use of anti-VEGF agents or corticosteroids to reduce the occurrence of radiation retinopathy and consequent vision loss. Drs. Di Nicola and Williams also offer insights about the use of belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar) for early-stage choroidal melanoma (CoMpass trial), as well as adjuvant treatment with darovasertib, a protein kinase C inhibitor.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Emmanuel Chang and Eric Nudleman join host Dr. Ben Young to review Stickler syndrome, when to suspect, and how to diagnose this condition that can lead to significant systemic manifestations and severe vision loss. The panel also discusses the role and evidence for prophylactic treatments to reduce the rate of retinal detachment, which can occur in up to 65% of affected patients.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes Dr. Gareth Lema to discuss his group's recent study published in Ophthalmology that quantified the amount of eye drop waste in ophthalmic clinics and the implications for practice. When handled appropriately, argues Dr. Lema, eye drops can be used until the FDA-regulated expiration date, and thus help reduce both their carbon footprint and costs while still providing safe and effective patient care.

Read more: Tan JM, Chen B, Vail D et al. Ophthalmic drop waste due to self-imposed use cessation dates. Ophthalmology. 2024, Jul 1:S0161-6420(24)00391-9.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Tamara Fountain joins host Dr. Ben Young to discuss strategies to avoid medical mistakes, how to recognize cognitive biases that can lead to diagnostic error, and what we can learn from the airline industry to improve patient safety.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created the new G2211 add-on code to address the resource cost and effort to build patient relationships with those impacted by chronic and complex conditions. Use of this new add-on code is dependent on ophthalmologists building strong long-term relationships with patients to benefit their longitudinal care. Drs. Lee Alward and Young Kwon join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to share their experiences and wisdom for building trust and rapport towards a valuable patient–physician relationship.

Factsheet on HCPCS Code G2211 Visit Complexity Add-on Code: www.aao.org/g2211-code

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Michelle Cabrera and Alejandra de Alba join host Dr. Ben Young to discuss the finer points of what makes pediatric cataract surgery so challenging—because it's not "just" scaled-down adult cataract surgery.

Referenced article: Management of Infantile and Childhood Retinopathies: Optimized Pediatric Pars Plana Vitrectomy Sclerotomy Nomogram

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is a constellation of findings that often present in astronauts who have undergone long-duration space flight in microgravity environments. Astronauts with SANS may have disc edema, choroidal folds, cotton wool spots, nerve fiber layer thickening on OCT, globe flattening, and hyperopic shift. In today's episode, neuro-ophthalmologist and NASA consultant Dr. Andy Lee shares what we know about SANS and its implications on our terrestrial knowledge, technology, and the future.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Episode Description

Drs. Avni Finn and Yoshi Yonekawa join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to discuss the current state of retinal reimbursements and the impact that the cost of certain diagnostic and surgical procedures is having on the delivery of patient care.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

With increasing awareness that a retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a type of stroke, ophthalmologists must be able to plan the next steps of care when an RAO is identified on exam. Drs. Amanda Henderson and Michael Carper join host Dr. Amanda Redfern to guide us through their recommendations and various tricky scenarios, notably whether or not to advise use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

How do ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) work, and how might ophthalmologists harness their power for use in clinical practice? Drs. Peter Campbell and Travis Redd join host Dr. Amanda Redfern to discuss the advent of generative AI and its current and future implications for the practice of ophthalmology. 

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Chris Leffler, pediatric ophthalmologist and medical historian, joins host Dr. Andrew Pouw to discuss his study of the history of ophthalmology, ranging from the origin and use of the term "glaucoma," to the evolution of cataract surgery from antiquity to the modern era.

For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.