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American Academy of Ophthalmology

Practical, topical conversations with experts across the spectrum of ophthalmology. Subscribe for the latest information, evidence-based practice standards, and innovations in eye care, from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

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21 episodes
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Avg 32 min
English

Episodes 21

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August 21 · 42 min
Another Consecutive Year of Medicare Cuts
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced more concerning proposals that will affect access to care and reimbursement. Host Dr. Andrew Pouw reconvenes last year's guests from the Academy's DC office—Dr. John McAllister, Brandy Keys, and Rebecca Hyder—to unpack the proposed 2027 Physician Fee Schedule and explain how the changes will disproportionately burden surgical specialties. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
August 6 · 25 min
How the NEI Was Saved
In today's episode, host Dr. Ben Young is joined by Dr. Stephen McLeod, Academy CEO, and Rebecca Hyder, Vice President of Governmental Affairs. The panel discusses why we have a National Eye Institute (NEI), how it was successfully preserved as an independent, stand-alone entity within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and what threats to the institute remain on the horizon. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
July 23 · 25 min
A Paradigm Shift in the Clinical Course of TED
In today's episode, host Dr. Amanda Redfern welcomes Dr. Madhura Tamhankar to discuss a new study using IRIS Registry and Komodo Health claims data that upends Rundle's 1940s biphasic model of thyroid eye disease (TED). Drawing on more than 34,000 patients with 5-year median follow-up, Dr. Tamhankar's study found that even among patients with initially mild disease, 1 in 3 progress within 5 years, with rates climbing from 12% at year 1 to 38% by year 8. Dr. Tamhankar reviews the study's methodology and its implications for patient care, including surgical timing, informed consent, and specialist referral. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
July 9 · 41 min
The American Board of Ophthalmology: New Leadership and a Look Ahead
Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes Dr. Steven Gedde, the incoming CEO of the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), to discuss his outlook on medical education and the evolving board certification process. As medical knowledge now doubles approximately every 60 days, Dr. Gedde envisions the ABO shifting its focus from testing facts to assessing skills like communication, professionalism, and the use of technology. Although current surgical assessments focus on knowledge and decision-making, future evaluations may leverage AI and virtual reality to test technical competence. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
June 25 · 36 min
Examining Reapplication to the Ophthalmology Residency Match
Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes ophthalmology program directors Drs. Chris Alabiad and Alice Zhang to discuss the ophthalmology residency match, the rising pool of reapplicants to the field, and how to mentor and advise students pursuing reapplication. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
June 11 · 14 min
Central Retinal Artery Occlusions Revisited: Thoughts on TenCRAOS
Do the benefits really outweigh the risks when it comes to the use of thrombolytic drugs for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)? Drs. Amanda Henderson and Michael Carper weigh in on the recently published Tenecteplase in Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Study (TenCRAOS) and how ophthalmologists should proceed in their management of CRAO with tenecteplase (TNK) or another tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
May 28 · 30 min
Challenges in DME: the Evolution of Fluid Management
With an abundance of therapeutic options for managing diabetic macular edema (DME), what patient characteristics inform your treatment decisions? Does the number of loading doses influence long-term macular fluid outcomes? How are you managing insurance-mandated step-therapy in your patients? In today's episode, host Dr. Jay Sridhar invites Drs. Durga Borkar and Carl Danzig to share how they've integrated new anti-VEGF therapies into clinical practice. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
May 14 · 42 min
Of MIPS and Medicine: The Game of Cost Control and Reimbursements
Is the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) fulfilling its intended purpose, or is it just causing headaches? Dr. George Williams and Joe Reyes join host Dr. Andrew Pouw to share their expertise and experience with MIPS, including its evolution from prior medical cost control policies and how ophthalmologists can use the IRIS Registry to meet reporting requirements. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts
April 30 · 32 min
Improving the Scientific Peer Review Process
Drs. Durga Borkar and Katherine Talcott join host Dr. Jay Sridhar to brainstorm ideas for how to maintain and improve the current scientific peer review process in ophthalmology. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts
April 16 · 24 min
Interferon Alpha for Cystoid Macular Edema
Drs. Eric Suhler and Nick Butler join host Dr. Ben Young to discuss an old treatment for cystoid macular edema (CME) that may be new to many of us: interferon alpha. They review its use, side effects, and success thus far. Relevant papers discussed in this episode: Treatment of refractory cystoid macular edema with pegylated interferon alfa-2A: a retrospective chart review Interferon alpha 2b in the treatment of uveitic cystoid macular edema For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts
April 2 · 37 min
Epiphora from Infancy to Adulthood
Dr. Scott Goldstein joins host Dr. Amanda Redfern to share his approach to managing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in kids and his 3-step test for evaluating epiphora in adults, including how to identify complicating factors that may warrant surgical or procedural intervention. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
March 19 · 35 min
Advocating for Advocacy
In today's episode, host Dr. Ben Young welcomes 3 core members of the Academy's Advocacy team: Dr. John McAllister, Secretary for Federal Affairs; Dr. John Peters, Secretary for State Affairs; and Rebecca Hyder, Vice President of Government Affairs. The panel discusses why routine patient care and advocacy go hand in hand, and how ophthalmologists can be better advocates for our patients at the clinic, local, state, and federal level. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
March 6 · 39 min
Nicotinamide Neuroprotection for Glaucoma
Host Dr. Andrew Pouw welcomes Drs. Gustavo De Moraes, Aakriti Shukla, and Simon John to discuss their team's work spanning the full arc of nicotinamide as a neuroprotection candidate for glaucoma, from bench to clinical trials. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
February 20 · 33 min
The Hospital-Based Ophthalmologist and Focused Practice Designation
Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes Dr. Sarwar Zahid to unpack a recent American Journal of Ophthalmology perspective essay on the growing segment of hospital-employed ophthalmologists. They examine the appeal of the hospitalist model—shift-based work, reduced administrative burden, and work-life balance—alongside potential drawbacks, including income ceilings, RVU pressure, and burnout. The conversation broadens to declining physician ownership, the challenges of hospital call coverage, and the downstream threat to residency training. The episode finally shifts to whether a focused practice designation (FPD) could help define subspecialty expertise, improve patient care, and give ophthalmologists a stronger seat at the bargaining table. Discussed in this episode: Thomson M, Browning DJ. The Hospital Employed Ophthalmologist: A Growing Segment of the Profession. Am J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;284:208-215. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
February 6 · 45 min
Practicing Glaucoma in a Private Setting
Host Dr. Andrew Pouw welcomes glaucoma specialists Drs. Karam Alawa and Pujan Dave to discuss the sometimes bumpy transition from academia to private practice. The guests highlight clinical operations hurdles, such as navigating clunky EMR systems and prior authorizations, and managing finite staff and resources. Despite administrative hurdles, they emphasize the need for committed "chair time" to counsel patients and alleviate anxiety regarding disease progression. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
January 22 · 37 min
Pearls for Resident Cataract Staffing
Host Dr. Jay Sridhar is joined by Drs. Naomi Gutkind and Ekjyot (Joey) Gill to discuss staffing ophthalmology residents in surgical training. The early-career faculty share insights on tailoring instruction to resident skill level, delivering feedback at the right moment, and handling complications with empathy. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
January 8 · 30 min
Challenges in Managing Retinal Vein Occlusion
Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes Drs. Michael Ip and Sophie Bakri to discuss the challenges in caring for patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The panel reviews the current approach to treatment using anti-VEGF agents and factors that may suggest a need for more intensive, long-term treatment. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
Dec 26, 2025 · 33 min
How Screen Time Affects Children's Vision Health
Drs. Roni Levin and Laura Enyedi join host Dr. Ben Young to review what we know about screen time for kids and its impact on visual development and general health. Today's episode draws largely from the EyeNet article, "Screen Time and Kids' Eye Health," which appeared in the December 2025 issue. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.
Dec 11, 2025 · 20 min
Good Days Chronic Disease Fund Updates
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.
Nov 30, 2025 · 25 min
Uncovering the Patient Experience of Thyroid Eye Disease
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.

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