Experts InSight

Examining Reapplication to the Ophthalmology Residency Match 25.06.2026 36min

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.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusions Revisited: Thoughts on TenCRAOS 11.06.2026 14min

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.

Challenges in DME: the Evolution of Fluid Management 28.05.2026 30min

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.

Of MIPS and Medicine: The Game of Cost Control and Reimbursements 14.05.2026 42min

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

Improving the Scientific Peer Review Process 30.04.2026 32min

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

Interferon Alpha for Cystoid Macular Edema 16.04.2026 24min

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

Epiphora from Infancy to Adulthood 02.04.2026 37min

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.

Advocating for Advocacy 19.03.2026 35min

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.

Nicotinamide Neuroprotection for Glaucoma 06.03.2026 39min

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.

The Hospital-Based Ophthalmologist and Focused Practice Designation 20.02.2026 33min

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.

Practicing Glaucoma in a Private Setting 06.02.2026 45min

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.

Pearls for Resident Cataract Staffing 22.01.2026 37min

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.

Challenges in Managing Retinal Vein Occlusion 08.01.2026 30min

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.

How Screen Time Affects Children's Vision Health 26.12.2025 33min

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.

Good Days Chronic Disease Fund Updates 11.12.2025 20min

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.

Uncovering the Patient Experience of Thyroid Eye Disease 30.11.2025 25min

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.

CMS Cuts Rock Ophthalmology: Act Now! 19.11.2025 14min

The unprecedented payment cuts that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed over the summer were finalized on October 31. The disastrous impact on cataract surgery reimbursements alone will amount to an 11% reduction in payment. In today's emergency episode, host Dr. Andrew Pouw welcomes back three guests to rally ophthalmologists to take action: Dr. John McAllister, the Academy's Secretary for Federal Affairs; Brandy Keys, the Academy's Director of Health Policy; and Rebecca Hyder, the Academy's Vice President of Government Affairs. Physicians shouldn't have to choose between staying open and serving their Medicare patients. Congress needs to hear directly from ophthalmologists like you before these cuts are enacted. Please, make your voice heard. Use this easy form to reach Congress. Essential Academy Resources: Contact Congress Now: www.aao.org/act-now Summary of CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Past podcast episode: CMS Cuts Rock Ophthalmology For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

A Roadmap to Improving Emergency Treatment of Ocular Trauma 13.11.2025 48min

In this call to action, Drs. Robert Mazzoli, Stuart Seiff, and Jon Perlstein share the scope of issues surrounding ophthalmic trauma care in the United States and a roadmap for improving it, including how we can translate experiences from the military into our own set of Damage Control Ophthalmology (DCO) guidelines. Referenced article: A Call to Action and Roadmap for Improving Emergency Treatment of Ophthalmic Trauma in the United States For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Pediatric Cataract Surgery 30.10.2025 1h 1min

Drs. Michelle Cabrera and Alejandra de Alba join host Dr. Ben Young to discuss the finer points of what makes pediatric cataract surgery so challenging—because it's not "just" scaled-down adult cataract surgery. Referenced article: Management of Infantile and Childhood Retinopathies: Optimized Pediatric Pars Plana Vitrectomy Sclerotomy Nomogram For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

When We Err: The Ethics of and Approaches to Medical Disclosure 16.10.2025 53min

Dr. Thomas Gallagher joins host Dr. Amanda Redfern to share how to ethically and effectively disclose medical errors to patients. During the past 20 years, Dr. Gallagher's research has explored the intersection of healthcare quality, accountability, and communication. He has led a variety projects focused on the optimal response to adverse events and errors in healthcare, and developing systematic programs for preventing and responding to such events. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.