Ophthalmology off the Grid by Eyetube

US surgeons are often envious of the range of IOLs available to physician colleagues abroad. However, while waiting for an indeterminate approval date, ophthalmologists should still take the time to learn about these lenses. Erik Mertens, MD, speaks with Gary Wörtz, MD, about the new IOL technologies he is working with in Belgium and shares insight into how he implements these lenses into practice.

Gary Wörtz, MD, continues the discussion of physician startups and pipeline projects by inviting John Berdahl, MD, and Damien Goldberg, MD, to share their insights. Dr. Berdahl shares advice on how to determine if your innovative idea is worth pursuing and Dr. Goldberg provides pearls for uncovering the potential unmet needs in ophthalmology.

Warren Hill, MD, FACS, speaks with Gary Wörtz, MD, regarding the Hill-RBF Calculator-an advanced, self-validating method for IOL power selection. Dr. Hill explains the genesis of the calculator and how the project has been optimized and developed since its inception. The two physicians discuss how this method of IOL power calculation could be the next big advancement in ophthalmology.

Now approved for use in the United States, the Tecnis Symfony IOL (Abbott) offers a long-awaited treatment option for patients looking to achieve spectacle independence without compromising near vision. In this episode, Kevin Waltz, MD, shares his experience with this lens, from the first clinical trial in Honduras to today. Jason Jones, MD, also provides pearls for using the Symfony IOL and discusses the future applications of this technology.

In this episode, Malik Kahook, MD, provides Gary Wörtz, MD, with details about his pursuit of innovation in ophthalmology. Listen as Dr. Kahook discusses how he finds time to explore many different paths and shares what inspires and motivates him when setting out to turn an idea into a reality.

Whitney Hauser, OD, speaks with Gary Wörtz, MD, to address some unanswered questions regarding dry eye disease. Listen as Dr. Hauser discusses her efforts to improve physicians' understanding of this condition and learn about Dry Eye Coach-an educational resource for ophthalmologists and optometrists seeking information on the ocular surface.

James Katz, MD, discusses his experience with the Acrysof IQ Restor +2.5 D multifocal IOL (Alcon) for the correction of presbyopia. Dr. Katz explains why this lens deserves a fresh look from physicians who have used previous Restor IOLs, and he highlights which patients are likely to experience the most positive outcomes with this technology.

Gary Wörtz, MD, speaks with Jeffrey Machat, MD, and Joel Gaslin, Executive Vice President of Sightpath Medical, about ways in which surgeons can differentiate their practices by going premium. Dr. Machat describes his experience implementing a new offering for presbyopia correction, and Mr. Gaslin shares strategies for investing in and incorporating premium technologies.

Diversity in leadership can help advance ophthalmic innovation and patient care. In this episode, Gary Wörtz, MD, speaks with two female leaders in the field to learn more about the Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) organization. Listen as Bindu Manne, of Imprimis, and Jennifer Loh, MD, discuss the advancement of women in eye care and efforts to expand the scope of OWL beyond gender.

Gary Wörtz, MD, explores ongoing efforts to combat global blindness in the developing world. Cathleen McCabe, MD, details her medical mission work and how the experience affects her on a personal and professional level. Shira Shafir, PhD, Director of Social Innovation and Impact at TOMS, discusses the company's one-for-one business model with regard to eyewear.

John Doane, MD, joins Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his thoughts on the safety and efficacy of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). The two surgeons discuss how this procedure compares to LASIK and how to achieve the best outcomes possible when treating patients. Dr. Doane also discusses IOL technology in the current era of refractive cataract surgery.

A partnership between a cataract surgeon and a retina specialist offers distinct benefits. In this episode, John Kitchens, MD, and Gary Wörtz, MD, explain how they have teamed up in order to provide the best possible outcomes for patients. The two surgeons share how this cooperation between subspecialties improves how they manage complex surgical cases.

Gary Wörtz, MD, invites three surgeons to share their perspectives on the evolution of LASIK technology. Asim Piracha, MD, remarks on how far LASIK has advanced since 1999 when he first performed the surgery. Bill Wiley, MD, discusses his experience with topography- and wavefront-guided LASIK, and Karl Stonecipher, MD, shares the outcomes he has seen with Contoura Vision.

Gary Wörtz, MD, asks Ike Ahmed, MD, to share his thoughts on technologies in the pipeline for microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Dr. Ahmed provides an overview of surgical techniques and procedures to help alleviate potential uncertainty with these new devices. John Berdahl, MD, also shares his perspective on the exciting state of MIGS innovations.

Gary Wörtz, MD, speaks with Jeffrey Machat, MD, about the process of implementing the AcuFocus Kamra inlay into practice. Dr. Machat helps separate fact from fiction when it comes to this method of presbyopia correction and its capabilities. Also, Joel Gaslin, Executive Vice President of Sightpath Medical, discusses strategies for investing in and incorporating premium technologies.