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About Dr. Kaleb Abbott 

Abbott is an optometrist and assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is affiliated with both the Dry Eye Clinic and the Center for Ocular Inflammation, where he specializes in complex ocular surface diseases and participates in clinical trials and research related to these conditions. 

In addition to his clinical and research roles, he serves as vice-president for the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, is Chair of the Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and Wellness Special Interest Group (SIG) for the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), and is a member of the advisory council for the Academic Medical Center Optometry AAO SIG. He also holds a position on the editorial advisory board for Modern Optometry and Optometry360 and is a graduate of the AAO Flom Leadership Academy. Furthermore, he hosts the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease section of the Clinical Podcast Series through the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. In 2024, he was nominated for Colorado’s Young Optometrist of the Year and recognized as a “One-to-Watch” by Modern Optometry.

In 2019, Kaleb co-founded SunSnap Kids, a start-up that won first place in the inaugural Bright Ideas Pitch Competition in 2022 and third place in the Optometry Innovation Awards in 2023. He recently sold the majority of the company to focus more on his clinical and research responsibilities at the University of Colorado.

When he’s not seeing patients, conducting research, or working on SunSnap Kids, Dr. Abbott lectures on ocular surface diseases, writes articles, and serves as a medical reviewer for multiple journals, including The Ocular Surface and Optometry and Vision Science. He resides in Denver, CO, with his wife, daughter, and newborn twins.

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About Tom Freyne 

He is the CEO, owner, and founder of Scope Eyecare, a family-founded business dedicated to improving eye health and enhancing lives. Since establishing Scope in 2009, Tom has led its transformation from a small start-up into an international, market-leading eyecare company — recognised for its fearless innovation and genuine care for people.With over 21 years of experience in healthcare, Tom brings a unique blend of commercial expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and human connection to his leadership. He holds a degree in Business and a Master’s in Marketing, and before founding Scope, he held roles with Bausch & Lomb in eyecare and Danone Nutricia in Tom Freyne is the CEO, owner, and founder of Scope Eyecare, a family-founded business dedicated to improving eye health and enhancing lives. Since establishing Scope in 2009, Tom has led its transformation from a small start-up into an international, market-leading eyecare company — recognised for its fearless innovation and genuine care for people.With over 21 years of experience in healthcare, Tom brings a unique blend of commercial expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and human connection to his leadership. He holds a degree in Business and a Master’s in Marketing, and before founding Scope, he held roles with Bausch & Lomb in eyecare and Danone Nutricia in metabolics, spanning both marketing and sales across the UK and Ireland.

Tom’s journey began far from the boardroom — as a jockey in Ireland — before his family’s deep heritage in healthcare inspired him to follow a path of purpose and care.

Based in Ireland, Tom is passionate about partnering with clinicians, retailers, and patients to deliver innovative eyecare solutions that make a difference in people’s lives. His leadership is grounded in a simple belief: that caring for people — whether employees, customers, or communities — is the true measure of success.

Under Tom’s guidance, Scope continues to embody this belief, creating a culture that reflects its purpose — advancing eyecare through fearless innovation from people who care.

p, spanning both marketing and sales across the UK and Ireland.

Tom’s journey began far from the boardroom — as a jockey in Ireland — before his family’s deep heritage in healthcare inspired him to follow a path of purpose and care.

Based in Ireland, Tom is passionate about partnering with clinicians, retailers, and patients to deliver innovative eyecare solutions that make a difference in people’s lives. His leadership is grounded in a simple belief: that caring for people — whether employees, customers, or communities — is the true measure of success.

Under Tom’s guidance, Scope continues to embody this belief, creating a culture that reflects its purpose — advancing eyecare through fearless innovation from people who care.

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About Maria Pribis, OD, FAAO, 

Diplomate of the American Board of optometry from the University of Pittsburgh where she was a member of the dance team. She then graduated with high honors from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. While in optometry school she was president of SOSH. Dr. Pribis was inducted into BSK honor society. She completed an ocular disease residency at the Baltimore VA Hospital. During this time she rotated through Johns Hopkins cornea and specialty contact lens clinics. She’s been a partner in private practice in Stamford, CT since 2010. She specializes in ocular surface disease and contact lenses and has a special interest in myopia control. Dr. Pribis lectures extensively with the optometry education company, KMK. Dr. Pribis was awarded Connecticut’s young optometrist of the year award in early 2015. She is the founder of Ocularprime, which is a website that encourages you to “Live in Your OcularPrime,” which is a short phrase designed to support a commitment to consistency across the entire health spectrum for those who want to become the best version of themselves. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

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About Julie Rodman, OD, MSC, FAAO

Dr. Julie Rodman is the Chief of the Broward Eye Care Institute in Fort Lauderdale, FL and a Professor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. She also is the Instructor of Record for Posterior Segment Disease at the College. Her research interests include OCT/OCTA and Vitreoretinal Disease. Dr. Rodman has authored over thirty publications with an emphasis on retinal disease. She recently published “Optical Coherence Tomography Atlas: A Case Study Approach”, the first reference book on this topic written by an optometrist. Dr. Rodman is a member of the AOA, AAO, FOA, and ORS. She has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards, was recognized as a Primary Care Optometry News “Top 300” Optometrists and “Newsweek Best Optometrists of 2023”.

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About Dr. Aaron Werner, OD 

Graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry, following his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather in becoming a doctor of optometry.  He is president of Werner Optometry in San Diego, CA a two-doctor multi-generation optometry practice that provides comprehensive primary eye care services. Aaron is passionate about helping others achieve their full potential and serves as the Senior Director Learning and Development for Vision Source. A native of southern California, Aaron is an avid hiker, runner, enjoys playing soccer, surfing and spending time with his wife, 3 children and grandson.

Aaron hosts the Aaron Werner Podcast on EyeCode Media

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eyecode-media/id1449429774

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6sGffC4Y3BXFc5pBxvcJNE

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyWZ4Y_ub2_akEj2kielFA

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About Dr. Mila Ioussifova

Dr. Mila Ioussifova graduated with honors from the New England College of Optometry and completed a residency program in community health and ocular disease in Boston, MA. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is on the leadership team of the Anterior Segment Section of the AAO. Dr. Mila served as an adjunct clinical faculty at the Pacific University College of Optometry and was an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She is involved with her state association and advocacy efforts, and she is the Director of Education for the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association. Dr. Mila is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and is a fellow of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society. Dr. Mila owns a private practice in Portland, OR, with special interests in advanced dry eye treatments, nutritional counseling, and aesthetic services.

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About:

Alex Kotelsky is a medical device engineer at Bausch + Lomb where he leads innovative optical projects in the research and development of advanced contact lens designs.
With a robust background in both theoretical and applied sciences, Alex has a Ph.D. and has postdoctoral training in biomechanics and mechanobiology of articular cartilage and chondrocytes. His research has produced multiple peer-reviewed publications that shed light on the mechanical interactions within biological systems. By integrating biology, mechanics and optics, Alex brings an
interdisciplinary approach that advances both the performance and comfort of contact lenses, benefiting eye care professionals and patients alike.
In addition to his research, Alex is deeply committed to education, fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists. His dedication to teaching has earned him multiple accolades, including the prestigious Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching and recognition as a Top 3 Finalist for Tutor Doctor’s Tutor of the Year 2019 award.

James DiBella is a Senior Principal Scientist and head of Polymer Chemistry at Bausch + Lomb, where he leads a team focused on creating innovative materials and solutions for the contact lens and ophthalmic industries. Since joining Bausch + Lomb in 2015, James has been instrumental in product development for the company’s vision care business. He notably co-invented Bausch + Lomb’s latest contact lens technology - Bausch + Lomb INFUSE ® .
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Clemson University as well as a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is also in the process of obtaining a master’s degree in business administration from Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts to merge his scientific expertise with strategic business acumen.

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