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In this episode, Gary Wörtz, MD, invites Damien Gatinel, MD, PhD, to share insights into online ophthalmic simulators and tools to help surgeons improve refractive planning. They explore tools for corneal ablation depth predictions, IOL rotation optimization, and more. Dr. Gatinel explains how these simulations can be applied to real-world patient counseling and help ophthalmologists understand what's going on with their patients.

In this episode, hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite Kenneth Beckman, MD, to discuss the recent FDA approval of Epioxa (Glaukos), an advancement in corneal crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus that does not require the removal of the corneal epithelium. Dr. Beckman shares insights into the benefits and outcomes of this procedure and details from clinical trials.

In this episode, Joaquin De Rojas, MD, and Priya Mathews, MD, MPH, join hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to discuss how the Tecnis Odyssey IOL differs from previous presbyopia-correcting lenses and how they approach lens selection for their patients. Dr. De Rojas also shares his experience with coding and the use of AI in his practice for digesting significant amounts of data to assist with calculations and treatment algorithms.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, invites Steven Dell, MD, to discuss the recent release of a new presbyopia drop—VIZZ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution, 1.44%; Lenz Therapeutics). Dr. Dell outlines why this drop represents a game-changing option for presbyopia therapy. The once-daily drop lasts for 10 hours and results in a sub-2-mm pupil size to achieve significant gains in near vision. They also review the innovation cycle of this product and how patients have responded to the treatment so far.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, sit down with Robert Weinstock, MD, to reflect on the field of ophthalmology and how to improve things for the next generation of physicians. They discuss pioneers in the field and how they shaped the cataract and refractive subspecialties into what they are today. Dr. Weinstock also shares perspectives into the fellowship match process and gives advice on how prospective fellows can prepare for interviews. The group also explores the benefits and the value of welcoming younger ophthalmologists into a practice.

Morgan Micheletti, MD, joins hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to review the evolution of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and direct SLT (DSLT), highlighting Dr. Micheletti’s experience as an early adopter of DSLT. Dr. Micheletti shares how DSLT can increase efficiency, improve surgeon comfort with the procedure, and help guide patients in the interventional glaucoma treatment pathway. The group also discusses reimbursement and financial considerations for DSLT.

Cathleen McCabe, MD, and Brent Saunders, chairman and CEO of Bausch + Lomb, join the podcast to break down details of the recent voluntary recall of enVista Aspire, enVista Envy, and certain enVista monofocal IOLs. Hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite discussion on how the Bausch + Lomb team identified an issue, prioritized patient safety, and dove into the data to bring this innovative technology back to patients as quickly and safely as possible.

John Berdahl, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share insights into the journey of turning an idea into a product. Dr. Berdahl highlights his experience with the research and development of pressure-equalizing goggles, a nonsurgical, nonpharmacological treatment to lower IOP by creating a small vacuum to relieve pressure on the optic nerve. He describes the positives and negatives of the journey to launch a product, including funding, FDA trials, and beyond.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite Inder Paul Singh, MD, to the podcast to discuss the technology and innovation he uses in his practice, focusing on laser floater removal. Dr. Singh reviews 1-Step vitreous removal technology (Vista Ophthalmics) for treating symptomatic floaters and how it has revolutionized his practice and provided great outcomes for his patients. He also reviews experiences with MIGS technologies that have improved his practice. 

William Wiley, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his early experience with the VisuMax 800 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) for SMILE. The three surgeons also share experiences with other technologies and highlight the importance of embracing the learning curve to lead the way as an early adopter in ophthalmology. 

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite William Plauché, MD, to review a presentation he recently delivered at the Caribbean Eye Meeting about his experience with PanOptix (Alcon), enVista Envy (Bausch + Lomb), and Tecnis Odyssey (Johnson & Johnson Vision) IOLs. The presentation compared similar amounts of patients and determined nuances between the three different kinds of lenses. Dr. Plauché also shares his experiences and his process for IOL selection.

This year, the theme of our podcast will feature discussions of foundational equipment and emerging technology in ophthalmology. In the first episode of 2025, Roger Zaldivar, MD, MBA, joins Gary Wörtz, MD, to discuss the ICL Guru project and how its complex algorithm integrates with ultrasound biomicroscopy platforms. Dr. Zaldivar shares his experience with ICL surgery, and how he leveraged that expertise to help improve sizing methodology and patient selection.

Rounding out this season’s theme of ‘Surgical Horror Stories,’ Jeffrey Whitsett, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to discuss his approach to managing the disappointment of poor surgical outcomes. He also shares a case example in which he encountered a complication during combination MIGS and cataract surgery, which resulted in a significant vitreous hemorrhage.. Drs. Whitsett, Williamson, and Wörtz also review the best ways to navigate potential horror stories in the business side of building a practice.

Gary Wörtz, MD, and Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, invite Nicole Fram, MD, to share a surgical horror story in which a patient experienced light arcs, starbursts, and halos after silicone IOL implantation. Dr. Fram describes her approach to IOL exchange using a Collamer lens with a larger optic to manage the positive dysphotopsias. She reviews the complications she encountered during the procedure, including iris prolapse and iridodialysis, and describes her strategies for managing stressful surgical events.

For the Halloween episode of this season’s surgical horror stories, Cathleen McCabe, MD, joins Gary Wörtz, MD, and Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, to share two uniquely challenging cases. In the first case, Dr. McCabe describes the time she performed cataract surgery on a kyphotic patient who was unable to lie on his back for the procedure. She explains her approach to positioning the patient and how she managed an additional unexpected complication. In the second story, Dr. McCabe discusses a patient with a difficult psychological history.