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. 

Steven Sorkin, OD, FSLS, gives a brief review of corneal dystrophies (0:49); Shora Ansari, OD, MS, shares diagnostic pearls for giant papillary conjunctivitis (10:01); and Carlo J. Pelino, OD, FAAO, explains why proper history, thorough examination, testing, imaging, and communication are essential for the timely diagnosis and management of neurologic conditions (20:27).

Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, gives her take on how some things we have seen as threats to optometrists may actually offer opportunities (0:51). Leslie O’Dell, OD, FAAO, explains why although ocular allergies may be the easy answer when reviewing a patient's signs and symptoms, but it pays to make the effort to diagnose and treat correctly, because symptoms commonly associated with ocular allergy are often shared with other conditions (9:57). Finally, hear why Nate R. Lighthizer, OD, FAAO, became an optometrist, how he got into electrodiagnostics, and more (19:44).

Mark Schaeffer, OD, offers guidance for handling presbyopic patients who have never before needed vision correction (0:50). Rebecca Miller, OD, gives advice on how to incorporate autologous serum eye drops into a dry eye protocol (7:58). Get five pearls for improving employee relationships and eliminating wasted time from Solomon Gould, OD, MBA (15:02). In the last segment of the episode, learn more about Roxanne Achong-Coan, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS. Hear what advice she has for other ODs looking to open their own practices, what it's like to work in the same practice as her husband, and more (26:48).

First, Michael Cymbor, OD, FAAO, and Nicole Stout, OD, FAAO, walk through the steps of what to do once a patient is identified as a glaucoma suspect, then Paul Hammond, OD, FAAO, provides a rundown of the latest trends in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment. Next, Aaron McNulty, OD, FAAO, discusses the changing role of laser in the management of patients with open-angle glaucoma, and Matthew D. Bovenzi, OD, FAAO, Dipl(ABO), closes the episode with his article on adjunctive therapy for patients with glaucoma, specifically when it makes sense to consider adding a second drop.  

The conclusion of our two-part special episode of The MOD Pod – Contact Lens Business in the COVID-19 Era: Products on the Market. Listen to Jeffrey Lewis, OD; Anith Pillai, OD, FSLS; Jennifer Tsai, OD; and Jessica Yu, OD, FAAO, discuss advancements and best practices when fitting scleral lenses and managing myopic patients. The panel also fields an audience question and answer session from a recent webinar event.

Ranya Habash, MD; Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO; Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, MS; and Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, discuss the best ways to find synergy while comanaging telemedicine patients and adapting to a new normal. 

In the COVID-19 era of telemedicine, Ranya Habash, MD; Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO; Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, MS; and Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, share what works in their practices—and what doesn’t.