Explore every episode of the podcast EyePod

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the Yiddish word for oak tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this episode, Eichenbaum speaks with two longtime friends and retina drug-development veterans: Andrea Gibson, PhD, executive vice president of medical collaborations at Ocular Therapeutix, and Erin C. Henry, PhD, AVP of Ophthalmology, General and Specialty Medicine, Value and Implementation, Global Medical and Scientific Affairs at Merck Research Labs.

Grab a seat for this one — it's part reunion, part masterclass. Gibson and Henry were there at the dawn of anti-VEGF therapy, trading stories from the front lines of a field that changed medicine forever, and 20 years later, they're still just as obsessed with the science. They swap laughs about "stumbling into" careers nobody could have mapped out for them, get real about the mentors who doubted the move to industry, and issue a challenge to the field: stop letting the next generation stumble in the same way they did. Equal parts nostalgia, candor, and a rallying cry for what comes next.

Check out more episodes of Eichenbaum Acorns, powered by Modern Retina, at https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/podcasts/eichenbaum-acorns

The debut episode of OT Roundup, a new biweekly news podcast from Ophthalmology Times. This episode covers new research on ADHD's ocular signature, a surgeon's personal experience with a trifocal IOL, the FDA's acceptance of a gene-agnostic therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, and the AMA's move to classify myopia as a disease—plus Expert Insight from Dr. Veeral Sheth.

In this latest episode of the Ophthalmology Times® “Beyond the Walls” podcast, host Deborah Ristvedt, DO, sits down with Alison D. Early, MD, a cataract and refractive surgeon, innovator, and entrepreneur at Signature Cataract and Laser Consultants in Cincinnati, Ohio, to explore the personal turning point that led Early to step away from the security of a large multispecialty practice and build a practice of her own.

The conversation covers the galvanizing patient encounter that changed Early’s trajectory, her philosophy of human-centered care, and her advice to surgeons navigating the early stages of their careers.

Check out more episodes of Beyond The Walls at
https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/podcasts/beyond-the-walls

#Ophthalmology #EyeCare #BeyondTheWalls #PrivatePractice #WomenInOphthalmology #PatientExperience #Entrepreneurship #OphthalmologyTimes

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders.

In this episode, Eichenbaum speaks with David J. Tanzer, MD, ABO, chief medical officer (CMO) at Lexitas Pharma Services, Inc., about a career that travels from the cockpit through clinical practice to the boardroom. A former US Navy flight surgeon turned three-time CMO, Tanzer shares how a chance rotation in San Diego led him into ophthalmology, why he still misses hands-on patient care, and what advice he'd give physicians considering a path beyond pure clinical medicine.

Check out more episodes of Eichenbaum Acorns, powered by Modern Retina, at https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/podcasts/eichenbaum-acorns

In this episode of the Ophthalmology Times® "Beyond The Walls" podcast, host Deborah Ristvedt, DO, sits down with colleague John P. Berdahl, MD, of Vance Thompson Vision, to explore the personal story behind a career defined by curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to giving back.

Berdahl shares formative childhood experiences, early struggles in medical school, and the defining moments that shaped his path in ophthalmology. He discusses the innovations that have marked his career, including OPAP, a negative pressure goggle system for glaucoma, and a free toric IOL rotation calculator used by thousands of surgeons each month. He also speaks candidly about a high-profile business failure, the resilience it took to recover, and what he has learned about leadership along the way.

The conversation closes with reflections on mentorship, family, and legacy — and what it truly means to give more than you take.

Check out more episodes of Beyond The Walls at
https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/podcasts/beyond-the-walls

#Ophthalmology #EyeCare #BeyondTheWalls #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #Podcast #OphthalmologyTimes

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the Yiddish word for oak tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this episode, Eichenbaum speaks with Caroline R. Baumal, MD, recently chief medical officer (CMO) of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, about a career that has moved between clinical practice, academic medicine, imaging research, and industry leadership—and what she has learned along the way.

Check out other episodes of Eichenbaum Acorns, powered by Modern Retina.

In this podcast, experts Mary Qiu, MD; Paul Singh, MD; and Danica J. Marrelli, OD, FAAO; discuss interventional glaucoma. This more proactive management approach aims to minimize the challenges of topical glaucoma management with the earlier use of procedures.

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the Yiddish word for oak tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this episode, Eichenbaum speaks with Jay S. Duker, MD, president and CEO of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals and a board director, and Ramiro Ribeiro, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, about the professional decisions that led each of them from clinical and academic training into pharmaceutical leadership—and what they have learned along the way.

In this podcast, experts Francis Mah, MD; and Amy Nau, OD, FAAO, Dipl, CCLRT; discuss how to identify neurotrophic keratitis in practice, highlighting indications for corneal sensitivity testing based on patient history and examination findings. Faculty will also examine how to stage and treat neurotrophic keratitis once diagnosed.

In this latest episode of the Ophthalmology Times® “Beyond The Walls” podcast, host Deborah Ristvedt, DO, sits down with her ophthalmology practice partner and mentor Vance Thompson, MD, to explore the origins and ongoing impact of a team first culture at Vance Thompson Vision. The conversation covers Thompson's early frustrations with practice dynamics, his turn toward business education, and the philosophy that has guided his career and practice growth.

Thompson traces his thinking back to the late 1990s, when despite working with what he describes as "nice people," his practice was seeing more team and patient complaints than he expected. Encouraged by his brother-in-law, a physician-turned-hospital administrator, Thompson began studying the business side of medicine. He attended a course in Boca Raton, Florida, and worked with Jim Gilmore, coauthor of The Experience Economy, whose framework—"work is theater and every business a stage"—helped him reframe how he thought about patient care delivery.

The pivotal insight came when Thompson recognized that teachings focused on the customer, while he was focused on the patient. "The team experience is something that I have to have perfect, we have to have perfect before we're gonna have a great patient experience," he explains. This realization led to what became his signature and deliberately provocative principle: The patient comes second.

Thompson acknowledges the reaction that framing typically draws. "I've heard audible gasps from groups of surgeons," he says, adding that the point is not to deprioritize patients but to challenge a culture in medicine where staff are treated "less than." His argument is that an authentically cared-for team creates an environment patients feel immediately. "I don't know exactly what's going on here, but I love how they treat each other and I love how they treat me," he describes patients saying.

He also connects team first culture to burnout prevention, recounting a colleague who told him he feared he was burning out. Thompson's response: "Are you operating on eyes or are you operating on people?" Reconnecting with the human dimension of the work, he suggests, is central to sustaining energy across a career. "I always want to remember I'm a doctor first, I'm an ophthalmologist second, I'm a refractive surgeon third."

Thompson credits legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden with giving him "the guts to use the L word in the workplace," drawing a distinction between the love shared with family and a professional love rooted in genuine care for colleagues. He describes this openly with prospective partners: "I want them to know about the mush of me from the beginning," noting that those not open to that kind of relationship will eventually leave. He concludes that he views shared values around caring for fellow humans as a foundation for both culture and growth at Vance Thompson Vision.

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the Yiddish translation for acorn tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this episode of Eichenbaum Acorns, Eichenbaum speaks with Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS, about her career path, mentorship, education, and evolving clinical research in retina. Weng, who is professor and the Alice R. McPherson Retina Research Foundation Chair in Ophthalmology, and fellowship program director, vitreoretinal diseases and surgery with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, reflects on joining Baylor straight out of fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, and building her career there over more than a decade. 

Fun fact! Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS, is also host of The Retina TL;DR, powered by Modern Retina. Check out these episodes!

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the Yiddish translation for acorn tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this special cross-brand episode with Optometry Times, Eichenbaum speaks with Jeffry D. Gerson, OD, FAAO, about career development, mentorship, and collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology in retinal care. 

Gerson practices in a collaborative OD-MD setting at Grin Eye Care in Olathe and Leawood, Kansas, where his work includes primary care as well as secondary care with an emphasis on retinal disease. 

In this podcast, eye care expert Uday Devgan, MD, FACS, FRCS, reviews premium intraocular lens (IOL) options, including presbyopia-correcting IOLs and toric IOLs for patients with astigmatism.

In this podcast, Philadelphia cornea and glaucoma surgeon Brian Shafer, MD, discusses the procedures and processes involved in interventional glaucoma, which offers earlier options such as laser, drug-releasing implants, MIGS, and MIBS, with less reliance on topical medications in appropriate patients.

In this latest episode of the Ophthalmology Times® “Beyond The Walls” podcast, host Deborah Ristvedt, DO, of Vance Thompson Vision, sits down with William B. Trattler, MD, to explore the experiences, influences, and philosophies that have shaped his career in ophthalmology. The discussion covers early inspirations, approaches to teaching, mentorship initiatives, clinical collaboration, and the evolving role of technology in patient care.

Trattler traces his introduction to medicine to his father, an ophthalmologist, whom he describes as “just such an incredible role model.” During medical school, Trattler coauthored Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, motivated by a desire to simplify complex material. “We should just make it ridiculously simple,” he explains, highlighting his use of visual aids and associations to enhance learning. This philosophy carries into his clinical practice, where he emphasizes simplifying the interpretation of diagnostic tools by distinguishing “what’s normal, versus abnormal,” while recognizing the variability in findings and the importance of repetition and experience.

Mentorship is a central theme, reflected in Trattler’s development of the Rising Stars in Ophthalmology program. The conversation also includes reflections on balancing professional and personal life, ongoing practice growth, generational transitions, and the future of ophthalmology. 

IOLs: What Every Surgeon Needs to Know is an editorially independent video and podcast series from Ophthalmology Times, hosted by Douglas D. Koch, MD, Professor and Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair in Ophthalmology at the Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. 

In each episode, Koch will be joined by different expert guests to discuss cutting-edge advancements in intraocular lens (IOL) technology and cataract surgery. 

In this inaugural episode, Koch is joined by Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, Benning Presidential Endowed Chair and co-director of the Intermountain Ocular Research Center at the Moran A. Eye Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, to explore IOL biomaterials.

🎧 Listen as Douglas D. Koch, MD, and Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, discuss IOL biomaterials and emerging lens technologies.

In this podcast, experts Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, FASRS; Jed H. Assam, MD, MS; Diana V. Do, MD; and Dante Pieramici, MD, FASRS; discuss the diagnosis, clinical features, and evolving management strategies for patients diagnosed with macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2.

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. This Q&A-style article and podcast series explores the overlooked corners of the retina specialist profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the German translation for acorn tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this installment, Eichenbaum talks with Jayanth Sridhar, MD, who saw an opportunity to bring retina education into the daily commute of ophthalmologists. What started as a simple idea during a long drive grew into Sridhar’s Straight From the Cutter’s Mouth: A Retina Podcast. Sridhar explains how the podcast began, the early challenges he faced, and what he learned along the way.

Sridhar is associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, in Miami, Florida, and serves as chief of ophthalmology for the Olive View Medical Center, part of Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, in Los Angeles, California. 

In this podcast, expert Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, discusses the burden, diagnosis, and management of Demodex blepharitis, highlighting a recently approved targeted treatment option.

Joel Schuman, MD, of Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, sits down with Sheryl Stevenson, executive editor of the Eye Care Network, for a discussion about emerging technologies that may influence glaucoma care as clinicians look toward 2026.

Schuman highlights artificial intelligence for imaging and risk prediction, noting that “the performance really rivals expert readers and the regulatory pathways are clear.” He also reviews remote monitoring, sustained-release drug delivery, and procedural innovations such as direct selective laser trabeculoplasty. 

Addressing adoption challenges, Schuman outlines evidence, workflow, economics, and interoperability as key factors, noting that “The winners don’t have to be the flashiest tools in 2026. They’ll be the ones that make a busy clinic run better.”

Eichenbaum Acorns is an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina® and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida in Tampa. This Q&A-style article and podcast series explore the overlooked corners of the retina specialist profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the German translation for oak tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this installment, Eichenbaum chats with Jordan M. Graff, MD, FACS, of Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss the realities of early adoption in retina care. Graff’s experience with the port delivery system (PDS) (Susvimo; Genentech), first as an investigator and later as one of the most active commercial utilizers in the US, provides insight into the opportunities and challenges of early adoption. He has navigated both the initial excitement of innovation and the realities of setbacks, including Genentech’s October 2022 voluntary recall following septum dislodgement issues. With the July 2024 reintroduction of a revised product, Graff offers a perspective on resuming adoption post-recall.

My Eyes, an Australian film created by actor, writer, and producer—and practicing optometrist—Tsu Shan Chambers, highlights the real-world challenges faced by families managing inherited eye disease and vision impairment. The Eye Care Network sat down with Chambers to discuss the film’s development and its role in raising awareness of eye health, particularly in relation to genetic conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Note: The film initially premiered in markets including Australia and New Zealand and is now widely available on Amazon Prime Video. Updates on future screenings can be found by following FanForce.

In this inaugural episode of the Ophthalmology Times® “Beyond The Walls” podcast, host Deborah Ristvedt, DO, of Vance Thompson Vision, welcomes Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, FACS, a trailblazer in refractive surgery, dry eye research, and ophthalmic leadership. 

The conversation traces McDonald’s journey from childhood experiences with severe myopia to her pioneering role in laser vision correction, as well as ongoing research and advice for the next generation of eye care professionals. McDonald is clinical professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York and Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, and in practice at OCLI Vision in Oceanside, NY.

Welcome to “Eichenbaum Acorns,” an editorially independent series powered by Modern Retina® and hosted by David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, partner and director of research at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida in Tampa Bay. This series explores the overlooked corners of the retina specialist profession through candid conversations with thought leaders. Eichenbaum is the German translation for oak tree, and the aim of this series is to plant acorns of insight that grow into oaks of understanding.

In this inaugural installment, Eichenbaum sits down with Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS, to unpack the art and strategy behind building enduring continuing medical education (CME) programs. 

In this podcast, experts John D. Gelles, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FCLSA, FSLS, FBCLA; and John Hovanesian, MD, FACS; discuss the importance of comprehensive strategies when performing corneal sensitivity testing in patients suspected of having neurotrophic keratitis (NK).

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and affects approximately 80 million people globally, with projections to exceed .111 million by 2040.   We know that the elevated intraocular pressure is the key modifiable risk factor which is why reducing intraocular pressure is central to treatment strategies. 

In this podcast, expert faculty from the featured symposium at the 2025 EnVision Summit share insights about interventional glaucoma co-management. 

Those faculty include ophthalmologists Rachel Simpson from Moran Eye Center in 

Salt Lake City, UT; James Murphy from Connecticut Eye Physicians in New Haven, CT; Mary Qiu from the Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute in Cleveland, Ohio; and optometrist Jessica Steen from the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Thyroid eye disease (TED), a rare autoimmune condition, can be sight-threatening, debilitating, and disfiguring, severely impacting patients’ quality of life and daily functioning. Traditional management approaches for TED have centered on immunomodulatory therapy and surgical interventions. In January 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved teprotumumab, the first therapy specifically indicated for TED. As treatment options evolve, there is an increasing need for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, which is essential to address individual patient needs throughout the disease course. 

This PER On Air Ophthalmology Times podcast provides an in-depth review of some of the key highlights from a satellite symposium that took place at the Envision Summit 2025 meeting in February 2025.  This unique and engaging activity focuses on the practical aspects of managing patients with thyroid eye disease, putting recent clinical trial data into clinical context. The program is designed for those who did not attend the live meeting and to help reinforce learnings for those who did.

Recently approved anti-VEGF agents that target additional pathways and offer innovative delivery methods with longer-lasting effects may provide advantages over older anti-VEGF agents in managing patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). In this podcast, expert faculty discuss the roles of ophthalmologists and optometrists in managing nAMD and DME in an evolving treatment landscape, from screening and diagnosis to referral and ongoing patient care.

Geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration, is a significant cause of vision loss. Given the progressive nature of geographic atrophy and its significant impact on quality of life, educating health care professionals about the disease burden, diagnostic strategies, and evolving management strategies is essential.

This PER On-Air Ophthalmology Times podcast provides an in-depth review of some of the key highlights from the Envision Summit 2025 meeting, held in February 2025. This unique and engaging activity focuses on the practical aspects of managing patients with geographic atrophy, putting recent clinical trial data into clinical context. The program is designed for those who did not attend the live meeting and to help reinforce learnings for those who did.

The lacrimal functional unit, which includes the lacrimal glands and meibomian glands, can be stimulated via the trigeminal nerve to trigger production of the tear film. This approach can be used to manage dry eye disease (DED) in patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery. In this podcast, an expert explores opportunities to use this approach to treat patients with DED.

The 14th annual Glaucoma 360 conference will take place February 6 to 8, 2025, at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square in San Francisco, California. Co-founded by Adrienne Graves, PhD, and Andrew Iwach, MD, and hosted by Glaucoma Research Foundation, the three-day event highlights progress in glaucoma care while fostering innovation and collaboration.

The conference opens on Thursday, February 6, with a gala to celebrate advancements in the field, followed by the New Horizons Forum on Friday, February 7, which serves as an incubator for innovation. Topics include artificial intelligence in glaucoma management, neuroprotection and vision restoration, and cross-species insights from veterinary ophthalmology. Carla J. Siegfried, MD, president of the American Glaucoma Society, will deliver the keynote address.

The program on Saturday, February 8, begins with a continuing medical education program featuring M. Roy Wilson, MD, MS, who will present the Shaffer-Hetherington-Hoskins Lecture, and concludes with an optometric symposium. Visit www.glaucoma360.org for details.

The EnVision Summit, co-founded by Bonnie An Henderson, MD, is a unique family-friendly, multispecialty CME ophthalmology conference, along with a newly introduced optometry track. Henderson sits down with Ophthalmology Times' Sheryl Stevenson, group editorial director - eye care, to talk about the 2025 conference that will take place February 14 to 17 at the Caribe Hilton San Juan, in Puerto Rico.

Henderson describes the meeting as “a place where not only are physicians and optometrists learning, but their families are part of the experience too,” emphasizing the opportunity for personal and professional growth in a supportive, community-oriented environment.

The 2025 agenda will include symposia, surgical videos, panel discussions, and leadership seminars that highlight rapid advancements across ophthalmology specialties, including cataract, refractive, retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, and oculoplastics. “It’s incredible how quickly things change in ophthalmology—if you miss a year or two, you’ll be amazed by the innovations that have emerged,” Henderson shared. Updates on new intraocular lenses, surgical tools, and diagnostic techniques will showcase the field’s forward momentum. Additionally, a leadership seminar led by Malvina Eydelman, MD, Director of the Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, and Dental Devices at FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, will feature discussions on career pathways and diversity, empowering attendees with insights from industry leaders.

The optometry track, introduced last year, continues to expand, emphasizing collaboration between ophthalmologists and optometrists in critical areas like preoperative and postoperative care, medications, and diagnostic tools. As Henderson explained, “It's important for both fields to come together and discuss how we can work together to improve patient care.” This cross-disciplinary dialogue reflects the summit's dedication to advancing care through shared expertise.

The youth program offers age-appropriate activities that allow children to engage in fun learning while also witnessing their parents' professional contributions. "It’s amazing to watch these kids grow up at EnVision Summit and form lasting friendships,” said Henderson. The trainee program, which offers free registration for residents, fellows, and medical students, has also seen growth. Henderson highlighted the program’s value, noting that it “gives young professionals the chance to network with leaders in the field and gain invaluable mentorship.”

To learn more about or to register for EnVision Summit 2025, click here.

Robert T. Chang, MD, from Stanford University discusses the evolving role of large language models (LLMs) in glaucoma care. He explores how these AI tools, including popular systems like ChatGPT, can enhance communication and patient education by summarizing complex information and tailoring it to different literacy levels. 

Chang highlights the potential of LLMs in improving efficiency in ophthalmology practices, such as assisting with virtual scribing and streamlining patient communication. However, he cautions about the risks of "hallucinations," where the AI may generate inaccurate information, stressing the importance of verification. 

Chang also touches on the use of LLMs for training medical residents and fellows, noting how they can simulate realistic scenarios, like preparing for fellowship interviews. Overall, he emphasizes that while LLMs offer significant benefits, careful use and validation are crucial for safe and effective integration into clinical workflows.

In this third of an exclusive three-part Ophthalmology Times EyePod podcast series on innovation, we continue our discussion with Jibran Sharieff, MD, and Brandon Kingrey, MD, who are residents at the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They recently won second place at the Eyecelerator competition held before this fall’s American Academy of Ophthalmology conference in Chicago, receiving a $15,000 prize—the first such prize awarded to residents—for their development of a smartphone device designed to take fundus images. This innovative tool aims to advance ophthalmic imaging accessibility. Join us as Sharieff and Kingrey share their future outlook for their smartphone device and advice for other young innovators.

Currently designed for undilated pupils, they aim to broaden the field of view and make the device compatible with various smartphones, including Samsung models. Plans include partnering with established manufacturers for FDA approval and exploring AI integration for enhanced analysis capabilities. They envision the device being used not only by ophthalmologists but also by ER doctors, primary care physicians, and neurologists, making optic nerve examination more accessible. Clinical trials with the Dean McGee Eye Institute are under way to validate its use. 

For fellow residents and young ophthalmologists, the innovators advise finding small, impactful problems to solve and embracing iterative, hands-on experimentation. They stress the importance of simple, practical solutions in innovation, balancing clinical responsibilities with project work by choosing tasks that feel enjoyable rather than burdensome.

In this second of an exclusive three-part Ophthalmology Times EyePod podcast series on innovation, we continue our discussion with Jibran Sharieff, MD, and Brandon Kingrey, MD, who are residents at the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They recently won second place at the Eyecelerator competition held before this fall’s American Academy of Ophthalmology conference in Chicago, receiving a $15,000 prize—the first such prize awarded to residents—for their development of a smartphone device designed to take fundus images. This innovative tool aims to advance ophthalmic imaging accessibility. 

The device in development leverages the built-in hardware of iPhones to capture fundus images without requiring batteries or expensive optics, making it highly affordable and portable. Designed for ease of use, it surpasses traditional fundus cameras and direct ophthalmoscopes in cost-effectiveness and accessibility, enabling broader use among healthcare providers. Join us as Sharieff and Kingrey share insights into their project and their journey as young innovators in eye care.

In this first of an exclusive three-part Ophthalmology Times EyePod podcast series on innovation, we meet Jibran Sharieff, MD, and Brandon Kingrey, MD, who are residents at the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They recently won second place at the Eyecelerator competition held prior to this month's American Academy of Ophthalmology conference in Chicago, receiving a $15,000 prize—the first such prize awarded to residents—for their development of a smartphone device designed to take fundus images. This innovative tool aims to advance ophthalmic imaging accessibility. Join us as Sharieff and Kingrey share insights into their project and their journey as young innovators in eye care.

Take a look at a review of the highlights from Ophthalmology Times during the week of September 29, 2024. 

Peter J. McDonnell, MD, and Laura M. Periman, MD, discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming ophthalmology, especially in ocular surface disease. Dr. Periman highlights the potential of AI to streamline eye health screening and documentation, enabling ophthalmologists to focus on patients who require treatment. They emphasize how AI can enhance clinical efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and assist in making more precise treatment decisions. Dr. McDonnell adds that AI will allow ophthalmologists to have a much more productive and satisfying day in the clinic and operating room. Both believe AI will help advance the field and improve patient care globally.

Take a look at a review of the highlights from Ophthalmology Times during the week of September 29, 2024. 

Take a look at a review of the highlights from Ophthalmology Times during the week of September 22, 2024. 

Ehsan Sadri, MD, FACS, of Visionary Eye Institute in Newport Beach, California, sat down with Professor Emeritus Colin R. Green, PhD, DSc, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, in Auckland, New Zealand, to learn more about a novel therapy in development for the treatment of keratoconus and other corneal ectasias.

Green outlines the status of the research, involving a unique combination of transforming growth factor beta-3 and dexamethasone, and the setup for a proof-of-concept study (via TheiaNova, a spin-out early-stage company of the University of Auckland).

Green also offers career advice for vision scientists and entrepreneurs, advising that making the transition from basic research to research translation is challenging and that having an application in mind is crucial. He emphasizes the importance of persevering through the highs and lows of research and development, highlighting the long-term benefits and sense of achievement.

Take a look at a review of the highlights from Ophthalmology Times during the week of September 15, 2024. 

X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is a progressive disease that is more severe than other forms of RP. Affected male patients typically inherit a pathogenic variant of the RPGR gene on the X chromosome. In this podcast, an expert panel discusses diagnosing XLRP and provides an overview of clinical trials of gene therapies for XLRP. 

Thyroid eye disease is a condition frequently associated with Graves disease that involves both acute and chronic inflammation of the orbit. Patients may experience ocular discomfort, appearance changes, and vision loss. In this podcast, an expert panel discusses diagnosing TED and providing appropriate pharmacologic and surgical treatments. 

John Kitchens, MD, sits down with Diana Do, MD, to discuss the PHOTON results and their relation to patients with diabetic macular edema in clinical practice.

John Kitchens, MD, is joined by Peter Kaiser, MD, to discuss higher molar dose and its translation into clinical practice

John Kitchens, MD, sits down with David Brown, MD, to discuss the PULSAR results and their relation to patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in clinical practice.  

This PER On Air - Ophthalmology Times podcast examines the new treatment paradigm for patients with geographic atropy, following the introduction of complement-targeting therapies. In this podcast, experts, Dr Cecelia Koetting and Dr Talia Kaden review some of the key highlights from the live satellite symposium, Community Practice Connection™: Mastering the New Treatment Paradigm in Geographic Atrophy – From Detection to Intervention presented at the 2024 EnVision Summit in Ophthalmology.