Experts InSight

In June 2023, the regional Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) almost uniformly introduced draft policy language indicating cessation of coverage for many minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures, including goniotomy and cyclophotocoagulation. In today's episode, host Andrew Pouw is joined by Dr. Alan Robin, the first executive vice president of the American Glaucoma Society, and Dr. Pradeep Ramulu, chief of the Glaucoma Division at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, to discuss MACs, clinical evidence for MIGS, and advocacy efforts underway to protect patient access to MIGS procedures. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Anita Kohli and Imran Jivraj discuss the evaluation and management of patients with functional vision loss, also known as nonorganic or nonphysiologic visual loss, a phenomenon in which exam findings do not support an underlying organic etiology. Drs. Kohli and Jivraj offer pearls for how to handle both adult and pediatric patients. Functional vision loss can be challenging to identify and manage, and it's important to diagnose correctly as multiple studies have shown that there can be an association between functional vision loss and psychosocial stressors or other psychiatric diagnoses, especially among children.  For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Cornea specialist Dr. Travis Redd discusses the recent outbreak of extensively drug-resistant corneal infections associated with artificial tears and that has led to cases of permanent vision loss and death. Dr. Redd also reviews the challenges and risks of multi-use eye drop bottles. Since January 2023, the CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments have been investigating a multistate outbreak involving a rare, drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. As a result, the CDC has urged discontinued use of EzriCare Artificial Tears, and in February the FDA issued an additional warning about Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Ophthalmic genetic counselor Molly Marra and Dr. Lesley Everett discuss the pearls and pitfalls of genetic testing, especially in cases of suspected inherited retinal dystrophy. As discussed in the episode, the National Society of Genetic Counselors offers great tools to find genetic counselors who can advise you and your patients in the diagnostic journey. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Guillermo Amescua joins host Jay Sridhar to discuss novel approaches to infectious keratitis, including surgical approaches and corneal cross-linking. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Drs. Michael Chiang, R. V. Paul Chan, and J. Peter Campbell, members of the Imaging and Informatics in Retinopathy of Prematurity (i-ROP) Research Consortium, discuss the latest advances in ROP screening, treatment, and management. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Since its medical discovery, botulinum toxin (Botox) has found increasing use in ophthalmic practice. Drs. Natalie Homer and Andrea Tooley review the common cosmetic and functional uses of Botox, as well newer applications beyond the treatment of strabismus and facial spasms. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Though most people with glaucoma manage well with an eye drop or two and retain their functional vision, a subgroup of glaucoma patients worsen catastrophically over time. Is it possible to identify which group your glaucoma patients will be in? And when should the comprehensive ophthalmologist consider escalation or referral to a glaucoma specialist? Drs. Aakriti Shukla and Sean Rivera join host Andrew Pouw to look at the data and discuss strategies that work across various practice settings and patient populations. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Dr. Nisha Mehta, founder of the social media groups Physician Side Gigs and Physician Community, joins to discuss the state of physician burnout in 2023 and how side gigs outside of medicine can offer freedom and improved wellness. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.

Syphilis is on the rise nationally, and with it the prevalence of ocular syphilis is increasing. Drs. Steve Yeh and Chris Conrady join host Ben Young to discuss what clinicians need to know about the ophthalmic manifestations of syphilis and how to manage the disease when it strikes the eye. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.