Continuing this season’s theme of surgical horror stories, Neda Shamie, MD, joins Gary Wörtz, MD, to share an experience from early in her career when she faced an unexpected complication. While performing penetrating keratoplasty on a well-known patient, Dr. Shamie encountered an expulsive hemorrhage. She highlights the value of mentorship in thes…

Patients with DME in DRCR Retina Network Protocol AC were switched from bevacizumab to aflibercept if they met specific switch criteria. Where there any baseline factors that predicted a switch? Moderator Rebecca Soares, MD, sits down with panelists Matt Starr, MD, and Nikisha Kothari, MD, to review this study, ask whether the findings are clinical…

One of the challenges associated with current anti-VEGF therapies for the management of DME is the need for frequent injections and the potential impact on adherence and vision outcomes. Join Dr. John Kitchens and Dr. Maria Berrocal as they share their experiences treating their DME patients using a therapy with a novel mechanism of action, and how…

Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FONS, joins Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, on this month’s episode of To the Point. An expert on nutrition and ocular health, Dr. Poteet discusses what the research has shown regarding the benefits of dietary supplementation for managing ocular surface disease, new products on the market,…

This month on the The MOD Pod, host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, connects with Kaeleen Franson, OD, about the prevalence of myopia and some of the top takeaways from Dr. Franson's article on managing the condition, which appears in the July/August issue of Modern Optometry. Dr. Koetting then speaks with Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, who exp…

What did a review of the AAO IRIS Registry reveal about the rates of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) during the COVID-19 pandemic? Moderator Katherine Talcott, MD, sits down with Phoebe Mellen, MD, and Kyle Kovacs, MD, to review the study's conclusion that RVO rates did not increase during the pandemic, discuss challenges about talking to patients see…

Recent studies have proven the therapeutic viability of a different approach in treating retinal vascular diseases. Join Dr. John Kitchens, Dr. Margaret Chang, and Dr. David Chin Yee as they discuss their clinical experiences using a therapy with a novel mechanism of action in patients with nAMD and DME. And, learn how they approach managing patien…

In the second episode of this 2-part series, moderator Paul Hahn, MD, PhD, and panelists Durga Borkar, MD, MMCi, and Ted Leng, MD, turn to the findings of FARETINA-AMD and FARETINA-DME, which rely on real-world outcomes as documented in the AAO IRIS Registry. What can retina specialists learn from these studies, and how might these studies' finding…

William Trattler, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share a story in which a referring optometrist’s family member presented with dark brunescent cataracts in both eyes. He describes his initial approach and technique for managing these advanced cataracts, including the unexpected complication of a dropped lens and capsula…

Jennifer Shaba, OD, joins Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, on the latest episode to share her story about opening her own dry eye practice focused on regenerative medicine and holistic eye care. Dr. Shaba offers advice for optometrists at the very beginning of their own journey in dry eye.…

Protocol AA might be complete—but analysis of its data is far from over. What did that study’s data tell us about the relationship between leakage and DR severity? Justis Ehlers, MD, breaks down what he and his team uncovered when examining ultra-widefield images from Protocol AA, and helps us understand how machine learning might be used in future…

Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, is joined by guest Steven Sorkin, OD, FSLS, on this episode of The MOD Pod, where they talk about the article on topical and systemic drugs that can affect the cornea that Dr. Sorkin recently wrote for Modern Optometry with his co-author, Nicolle Wah, OD. In the second half of the episode, Dr. Koetting gets int…

How do outcomes differ for RRD patients at risk of PVR following PPV alone or combined PPV/scleral buckling? Moderator David Xu, MD, hears from panelists Barton Blackorby, MD, and Prethy Rao, MD, MPH, about a recent peer-reviewed paper published in Ophthalmology Retina covering surgical outcomes of patients with RRD who were considered high risk fo…

Paul Walton, MD, continues the discussion with Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, on approaches to anesthesia and nuances to manage potentially difficult patients during cataract and refractive surgery. Dr. Walton shares pearls to ensure a smooth day in the operating room, mitigating potential ophthalmology ‘horror stories.’…

Could next-generation anti-VEGF agents such as faricimab (Vabysmo, Genentech/Roche) and high-dose aflibercept (Eylea HD, Regeneron) be dosed as infrequently as every 20 weeks without sacrificing efficacy? And even if there are data that suggest that finding, would anyone actually adopt an interval that long in wet AMD patients? Philip Storey, MD, f…

David RP Almeida, MD, PhD, MBA; Lisa Faia, MD; and Chris Riemann, MD, return for the second episode in this podcast miniseries, in which they review a trio of real-world GA cases, explore what early responses to treatment look like, and ask how to address GA in the presence of wet AMD.By Retina Today

Join David RP Almeida, MD, PhD, MBA; Lisa Faia, MD; and Chris Riemann, MD, as they assess which clinical and non-clinical characteristics drive their decision-making in patients with geographic atrophy (GA). After the break, Dr. Faia shares a real-world case from her clinic in which a patient who was lost to follow-up returns to consider treatment.…

What conclusions can be drawn from a cross-trial comparison of randomized clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of anti-VEGF agents used in the treatment of AMD and DME? Paul Hahn, MD, PhD, sits down with Durga Borkar, MD, MMCi, and Ted Leng, MD, to review a recent presentation by Dr. Leng on this topic, and to examine the clinical rele…

Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, are joined by retina specialist Srinivas Kondapalli, MD, who developed the Rinsada Irrigating Lid Retractor, which effectively cleanses the conjunctival fornix, palpebral conjunctiva, and bulbar conjunctiva.By Modern Optometry

Check out the latest episode of The MOD Pod, where Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, has an engaging conversation with Jason E. Compton, OD, FAAO, and Mahnia Madan, OD, FAAO, about their article on eyelash enhancements, which appears in the May/June issue Modern Optometry. In the second half of the episode, Dr. Koetting has a candid chat with J…

Biosimilars in retina are here. How are practices integrating them into their clinics? And how do they navigate issues around payer policy, protocol changes, and ensuring continuity of care? Moderator John Kitchens, MD, sits down with retina specialist Dave Brown, MD, and Kristin Yockus, the VP of Process Integrations at Retina Consultants of Ameri…

Paul Walton, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share concepts to help cataract and refractive surgeons avoid horror stories in the OR. He says the goal should always be to have a “boring” day, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding with patients. The surgeons also detail their approaches to anesthesi…

How do endophthalmitis rates after intravitreal injection differ after using povidone-iodine compared with chlorhexidine? Moderator Sruthi Arepalli, MD, hears from panelists Vaidehi Dedania, MD, and Rebecca Soares, MD, MPH, about a recent peer-reviewed retrospective cohort study on this topic. After the break, the trio discuss how to manage patient…

Performing surgery for symptomatic vitreous opacities (SVO) was once verboten in retina medicine, but the field has seen a sea-change in mindset over the past decade. In this podcast, optometric thought leader Alison Bozung, OD, is joined by an esteemed panel of retina surgeons to discuss why more retina surgeons are willing to perform vitrectomy f…

This month on The MOD Pod, Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, invites Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO, and Jason Besecker, OD, MS, to discuss their recent articles in Modern Optometry. Have a listen as Dr. Raymondi shares extra details about the patient experience that opened her eyes to the transformative effect that offering at-home visits can have…

Performing surgery for symptomatic vitreous opacities (SVO) was once verboten in retina medicine, but the field has seen a sea-change in mindset over the past decade. In this podcast, moderator John Kitchens, MD, is joined by Edwin H. Ryan, MD; Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA; and Alison Bozung, OD, to explore why surgery for SVO has become more palatab…

Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, catch up with Crystal M. Brimer, OD, FAAO, to talk about her prolific journey in dry eye. Dr. Brimer discusses opening her own practice, creating the Dry Eye Institute to promote education among eye care providers, and shares tips to help other ODs to get started or revitalize their d…

Do the status of the fovea and/or the timing of surgery affect visual outcomes following RRD repair? Join New Retina Radio Journal Club host Lediana Goduni, MD, as she and panelists Matt Starr, MD, and Joshua Uhr, MD, dissect the findings of a recent paper exploring this question. After the break, the trio discusses tactics for overcoming challenge…

Nathan M. Radcliffe, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his experiences managing complex patients with advanced-stage glaucoma. He shares a specific case of an 83-year-old man with a cataract and exfoliation glaucoma with an IOP of 56 mm Hg. Dr. Radcliffe walks through how he managed complications he encountered durin…

Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, welcome this month’s guest, Ada Noh, OD. Dr. Noh shares her story of how she came to open her very own practice, dedicated solely to dry eye, in a brand new city. She talks about building up her patient base, networking with local providers, and lessons she learned along the way.…

Sponsored by Apellis Pharmaceuticals. Scott Walter, MD, and Esther Kim, MD, join John W. Kitchens, MD, to discuss how they treat GA in their practices. Listen to gain expert insights as Drs. Kim, Walter, and Kitchens each share their experiences with this treatment. They also share best practices for dosing based on trial data.…

Sponsored by Apellis Pharmaceuticals. John W. Kitchens, MD, invites Scott Walter, MD, and Esther Kim, MD, to discuss best practices for identifying appropriate patients with GA for treatment. Gain perspectives on patient selection, patient education, and safety considerations.By Retina Today

Check out this month's episode of The MOD Pod, where host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, chats with Bryce St. Clair, OD, about the importance of providing empathetic, patient-centered care across diverse communities. The two discuss how to learn about patient culture or religion without seeming insensitive and more. Dr. Koetting also speaks …

John Doane, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his experiences for this season’s theme of “Horror Stories” in cataract and refractive surgery. Dr. Doane reviews a few examples from his career in which he had to manage uniquely challenging situations and discusses what he learned from them. Listen to gain insights into…

Two biosimilars are approved for use in retina by the US FDA—and more will be approved in the coming years. What exactly are biosimilars? What benefit might they provide? And how confident are retina specialist that biosimilars will deliver safe, high-quality care? Moderator John Kitchens, MD, sits down with retina specialists Carl Awh, MD, and Fir…

The field of retina has made significant strides when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion since Julia A. Haller, MD, penned her inspirational 2015 JAMA Ophthalmology editorial, Cherchez la Femme. The ever-growing body of research on this topic stands as a testament to her commitment to understanding the gaps in diversity, particularly in t…

Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, interview Keylee Brown, OD, to learn how she came to offer radio frequency therapy in her dry eye clinic. Dr. Brown talks about how the technology works with intense pulsed light, how she educates patients about it, fits it into her workflow, and the rewarding clinical results she has…

In this episode of The MOD Pod, host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, welcomes guests Chris Kruthoff, OD, FAAO, and Brittany Wright, OD, MS, FAAO, who recently authored articles in the January/February issue of Modern Optometry. Dr. Koetting probes Dr. Kruthoff for more details on his piece about glaucoma and systemic health (00:37) and digs d…

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, kick off the latest season of Ophthalmology off the Grid. This season focuses on the subject of ‘Horror Stories,’ where surgeons will highlight their toughest, most complicated surgical cases and how they managed them. In this episode, Drs. Williamson and Wörtz start the discussion by sharing their own…

Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO, and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, kick off 2024 with a conversation about several new and anticipated products for treating ocular surface disease, including cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Vevye, Harrow), perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Meibo, Bausch + Lomb), and lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% (…

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite Matt Jensen to round out the year of episodes dedicated to building a business and brand in ophthalmology. Jensen shares insights he gained early in his marketing career, highlighting how he adapted to variabilities in different markets and learned to grow the business at home. The trio also dis…

Happy New Year! Enjoy The MOD Pod's new format. You'll still get a recap of selected articles from the latest issue of Modern Optometry, but instead of hearing them being read by the authors, you get a lively discussion between the podcast's new host, Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, and the author. In the first episode of 2024, Dr. Koetting c…

Reimbursements for vitreoretinal surgery have plummeted in the past decade. How dire is the situation? John Thompson, MD, updates listeners on the trends in Medicare reimbursement for a variety of vitreoretinal surgeries, imaging tests, and E&M visits—all of which have implications for the future of care and access to providers. After the break, Ra…

Julie Rodman, OD, MSc, FAAO, FORS, offers tips for differentiating between vitreomacular interface disorders (1:04); Christopher Lopez, OD, shares advice for making planning for future less overwhelming (13:37); and Ryan Corte, OD, explains how to optimize comfort and performance with multifocal contact lenses (22:58).…

What are the consequences to intentional suspension of anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients? Join moderator Sruthi Arepalli, MD, and panelists Rebecca Soares, MD, MPH, and Vaidehi Dedania, MD, as they explore the circumstances under which treatment might be suspended, examine a paper that described the consequences of treatment suspension, and rev…

The FARETINA-AMD study group assessed approximately 23,000 patients with wet AMD who had received at least one dose of faricimab (Vabysmo, Genentech/Roche). What have they found? Sophie Bakri, MD, summarizes the findings of an IRIS Registry review, which uncovered data about who has been dosed with faricimab, how frequently extended dosing interval…

Cathleen McCabe, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to discuss the challenges of moving across the country from an existing practice and referral network and starting in a new state. She shares insights into the dynamics of changing ownership and having a clear outline for the type of practice to join. Drs. McCabe, Williamson,…

They’re here: the 96-week data on aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea, Regeneron) in wet AMD. Jean-Francois Korobelnik, MD, PhD stops by to review the 96-week data from PULSAR. How closely did the 96-week results match those at 48 weeks? And how many patients could be extended to 16-, 20-, or even 24-week intervals? Also, W. Lloyd Clark, MD, joins the show to …

How effective is prophylactic laser for preventing fellow eye RT/RRD in patients with lattice degeneration who underwent uncomplicated primary RRD repair? NRR Journal Club with VBS moderator David Xu, MD, and panelists Prethy Rao, MD, and Barton Blackorby, MD, summarize a recent study that explored rates of fellow eye RT/RRD in this patient populat…

RGX-314 (Regenxbio) could be a one-time gene therapy that addresses diabetic retinopathy. How did it perform in the phase 2 ALTITUDE study? Mark Barakat, MD, shares 1-year safety and efficacy findings from the first two dosing levels of RGX-314 in patients with DR. What are the data? And what’s coming next? And Hani Salehi-Had, MD, joins the show t…