The MOD Pod

This episode of The MOD Pod starts off with an article by Ayra Sayyed, OD, which she co-authored with William Padula, OD, SFNAP, FAAO, FNORA, on screening for biomarkers of lyme-related infection (00:57). Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, follows up with her piece on next-level business technologies (16:43), which is complemented by an article on why it's important to stay at the forefront of eye care technology by Aaron Lech, OD, FAAO (24:31). To end the episode, Lindsay Ciocco, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, and Benjamin Wu, OD, take turns reading their article on the emergence of longevity biotechnology in eye care (34:52).

Richard Mangan, OD, FAAO, begins the episode by addressing physician burnout and its implications (0:50), after which Scott Hauswirth, OD, FAAO, offers tips for identifying and managing neuropathic pain in patients with dry eye (10:32). Moving things to a lighter note, Justin Bazan, OD, shares his story on how he made his way from student to employee and then on to OD owner (31:50). Last, but not least, hear what inspired Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO, to pursue a career in optometry and what makes up a typical day for him (41:06).

In the latest special edition episode of The MOD Pod's mini series Genetics and Eyecare Today, the focus is on the patient. Drs. Elizabeth Yeu and Melissa Barnett speak with a genetic counselor at Avellino, who explains what to expect from a genetic counseling session and answers common questions patients may have. Drs. Yeu and Barnett also discuss the role of the eye care practitioner in discussing AvaGen™, The Genetic Eye Test (Avellino) with patients.

Stephanie L. Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS, shares her secret to training staff for specialty lenses (0:55). Molly Ann R. Clymer, OD, FAAO, recounts the case of a patient with vertical diplopia and light near dissociation secondary to a pineal gland tumor (9:38). Get a step-by-step guide on how to use Facebook to market your practice from Jason E. Compton, OD, FAAO (23:37). To end the episode, find out a little more about Richard Mangan, OD, FAAO, including how he got into hand-crafting tobacco pipes (32:44).

In another special edition episode of The MOD Pod's mini-series Genetics and Eyecare Today, Drs. John Gelles and William Trattler talk about corneal collagen cross-linking and distinguishing between a patient with progressive myopia or developing keratoconus. Drs. Gelles and Trattler also discuss the role of AvaGen™, The Genetic Eye Test Test (Avellino) in helping diagnose keratoconus, and they learn from Nazneen Aziz, PhD, how genetic counselors can benefit both doctors and their patients when interpreting genetic test results.

Jennifer Wademan, OD, explains why choosing a limited number of contact lens brands to fit and sell makes sense (1:02). Leslie O’Dell, OD, FAAO, provides a crash course on ocular homeostasis, describes how contact lens wear disrupts the ocular surface, and suggests ways to restore balance (9:19). Chandra Mickles, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, ends the episode by considering both answers to the question, "Will extended wear contact lenses always have a place (18:00)?"

Chris Starr, MD leads a new expert panel of Preeya Gupta, MD; Douglas DeVries, OD; and Leslie O’Dell, OD, as they deliberate on a myriad of interesting cases across the ocular surface spectrum. 

In this special-edition episode of The MOD Pod’s mini-series, Genetics and Eyecare Today, Drs. Liz Yeu and John Gelles detail their experience using Avellino’s AvaGen Genetic Eye Test. They discuss how this test can help lay the groundwork for personalized keratoconus management.

Ahmad Fahmy, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, discusses dry eye disease in the pediatric population (1:07); Kelly A. Malloy, OD, FAAO, provides a rundown on ocular ptosis and its differential diagnosis (10:24); Jonathan D. Andrews, OD, FAAO, explains the importance of understanding the incidence, origin, morphology, treatment of, and overall outcomes of intraocular melanomas (20:23); and we learn some fun facts about Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO (38:39).

In the first episode of the Genetics and Eyecare Today podcast mini-series, Elizabeth Yeu, MD, and John Gelles, OD take a broad look at genetic testing and how it relates to eyecare. The pair discuss how recent innovations in genetic testing have affected screening, diagnosis, and care of patients with corneal dystrophies, as well as keratoconus.