Some people swear by contact lenses, while others dread even the thought of having to put their fingers remotely close to the eyes. In this episode, we are discussing the pros and cons of using contact lenses, and the best practices for users. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocular res…

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible loss of vision in adults over 50 years old. Treatment options are scarce and mainly preventive in nature, with a lot of emphasis put in nutrition and lifestyle modifications. What does the evidence have to say about the best nutritional practices and supplements in this disease? …

Our eyes are a sophisticated optic system, but it did not start like that. How did it evolve into this very effective structure? Join our host, Thales Guimaraes, who will walk us through the incredible evolutionary tale of the eyes. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocular research using…

Headaches, itchy and painful red eyes, blurry vision and even pain in your neck and shoulders when using your computers and digital devices? Well, buckle up and listen to this episode as you may have computer vision syndrome (aka digital eye strain). Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocu…

Do you have those pesky blobs and spots in your vision? Or do you see some shimmering lights before your migraines? In this episode, we will be discussing all about floaters and other types of visual disturbances. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocular research using simple terms. If y…

Unless you’ve been living in isolation for a few years, you will have heard that cigarettes have been associated with many diseases in the body. But can it cause any harm to the eyes as well? In this episode, our host will discuss what the data has to say about the possible harmful effects of smoking in your visual health. Support the Show. In thes…

Are you or do you know anyone who is colourblind? It is indeed quite common, with prevalences as high as 8% in some ethnicities. Listen to our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, as he walks us through how the colour machinery works in the eye, as well as the types of colour blindness and how it is inherited. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and …

If you are like me, you love a good ol’ double espresso early in the morning. But can coffee consumption cause any damage in our eyes and vision? In this episode, we will be talking about the pharmacological effects of caffeine in the body and its associations with diseases in the eye. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the late…

Do you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, and never knew what was going on exactly? Well, look no further! Our host, Dr. Thales Guimaraes, is walking us through what these very common types of problems are, who is at risk, and how it is currently managed. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmolo…

In this episode, we will be talking about Stargardt disease, one of the most common forms of inherited retinal disease. Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will talk about basic concepts, the main symptoms reported by patients, and the main avenues of treatment. Shoutout to Stargardt’s Connected, a family support group for the disease. You can visit the…

Have you heard of Keratoconus? Join us as our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, walks us through what it is, its causes and available treatments. Spoiler alert: do not rub your eyes! Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocular research using simple terms. If you like what we do, consider checking …

You may have heard many times about the promises of stem cell-based treatments. But where exactly do we stand research-wise, and are we ready to treat retinal degenerations with stem cell? Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will answer this question while providing a summary of the advances to date. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and diges…

Myopia, a.k.a. short-sightedness is a common type of refractive error. But did you know that, in some countries, 8 out of every 10 individuals are short-sighted? And worse – it is estimated that 50% of the worldwide population will have shortsightedness by 2050! Listen to our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, going through all the scientific evidence avai…

We are back with the right foot! In this episode, we will discuss the most common cause of visual loss in adults above 50 years of age, a complex disease called age-related macular degeneration. Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will also be talking about the forms of the disease, new approved treatments and what the future holds. Support the Show. In…

Have you heard of the story of the Pingelap island, a.k.a. The Island of the Colourblind? In this episode, we will be talking about an extreme form of inherited colourblindness called achromatopsia. Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will also be discussing where we stand in terms of treatments. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest th…

I know, we have all been there at a certain point. This gritty sensation of dry eyes is more than just a nuisance. Join our host today, Dr Thales Guimaraes, to learn a bit of Dry Eye Syndrome, what it is and why it happens, how to prevent and what the future holds. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophtha…

Following up from our last episode on Smart Contact Lenses, we will now be talking about these devices which aim to electrically activate neurons and return vision to blind individuals. Listen to learn how it works, its limitations and where we currently stand in this promising field. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the lates…

In this episode, we are delving into the world of smart contact lenses - the innovation that's not just about better vision, but also transforming healthcare and augmented reality (AR). Discover how these lenses adapt to changing conditions, monitor your health, and open up exciting AR experiences. While we are in this topic, we will also address t…

Have you heard of high altitude retinopathy? It is part of a spectrum of features that can happen when an individual is exposed to high altitude environments. Learn what this is and how it happens, how to prevent and treat this condition. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmology and ocular research…

Calling all eclipse gazers! We have all heard about the damage that Sunlight and prolonged Sun exposure can cause to our eyes, but is that true? Yes, it certainly is! What kind of damage are we talking about? Listen to our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, who will talk us through all forms of ocular damage associated with UV rays and how to avoid them, i…

It is safe to say that we live in the era of genetics. Amongst the most promising avenue of new treatments are the gene therapies, to which we have recently seen an explosion in the number of clinical trials using this technology. But do you know what this is and how it is used? Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will talk us through basic concepts, th…

There has been an explosion of clinical trials testing new drugs for diseases in the eye. But do you know how long the drug development process is and what this journey entails? Also, did you know that there are different phases of clinical trials? Our host, Dr Thales Guimaraes, will walk us through this topic. You don’t want to miss this one! Supp…

Usher syndrome is the leading cause of inherited dual sensory impairment in children — that is, combined vision and hearing loss. Our host, Thales, will be talking about what the syndrome is, its subtypes and where we stand in terms of active clinical trials. Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the latest advances in ophthalmolog…

But is it a cone or cone-rod dystrophy? A question we get asked by a considerable amount of patients affected by inherited retinal dystrophies. Unsurprisingly, it is a question that many doctors struggle to answer with certainty because the features of those diseases frequently overlap. Our host, Thales, will explore this topic and arm patients (an…

Do you know the purpose of family support groups and charities, particularly in the context of rare diseases? Believe it or not, their role tends to be poorly recognised. We have the immense honour to have Bhavna Tailor, founder and CEO of Stargardt’s Connected, to help us set the record straight. Do check Stargardt’s Connected website, stargardtsc…

Have you heard of blue light filtering lenses, or in short, blue blocking lenses? These are used in prescription glasses and intraocular lenses inserted into the eye typically after cataract surgery. They are marketed as a way to offer protection to the retina, improve sleeping patterns and reduce eye strain. But what does research really tell us? …

What is the color of your eyes? Don’t be surprised if you ask this question to 10 people and get 10 different answers! In this episode, we will be discussing what gives the eye its color, how it is inherited and how color is perceived in general. We will also briefly talk about the image that went viral in 2015 of that infamous dress. By the way, w…

From Google machine learning all the way to John Connor, artificial intelligence is hitting headlines daily. In this episode, Thales and Dr Nikolas Pontikos, principal investigator of the Eye2Gene study, discuss the role of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology. What a promising field! Support the Show. In these episodes, we try and digest the l…

From seeing distant stars, to individuals photoreceptor cells in the human retina, adaptive optics revolutionized the field of optics. In this episode, Angelos Kalitzeos, technical lead of the Adaptive Optics lab at University College London, walks us through the cutting-edge uses of this technology that is so frequently used in astrophysics. Calli…