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 Equi...
Jul 10, 2025•29 min
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 .
Jun 27, 2025•40 min
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....
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 w...
May 29, 2025•31 min
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 .
May 15, 2025•47 min
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 .
May 02, 2025•39 min
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 .
Apr 17, 2025•36 min
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 th...
Apr 03, 2025•27 min
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 ....
Mar 20, 2025•51 min
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 .
Mar 06, 2025•53 min
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 .
Feb 20, 2025•25 min
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 .
Feb 07, 2025•28 min
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 ....
Jan 23, 2025•44 min
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 .
Jan 10, 2025•49 min
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 dete...
Dec 27, 2024•25 min
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 .
Dec 13, 2024•44 min
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 .
Nov 28, 2024•47 min
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 ....
Nov 15, 2024•40 min
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 .
Oct 31, 2024•40 min
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 ....
Oct 17, 2024•51 min
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 ...
Oct 04, 2024•30 min
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...
Sep 19, 2024•14 min
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 ...
Sep 05, 2024•36 min
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 sa...
Aug 23, 2024•31 min
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 ....
Aug 08, 2024•33 min
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 ...
Jul 26, 2024•23 min
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 .
Jul 11, 2024•33 min
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 ...
Jun 28, 2024•28 min
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 knowledg...
Jun 13, 2024•24 min
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 .
May 30, 2024•27 min
