Episodes

Impact of Preservative-Free Glaucoma Medication on Patient Outcomes In this episode of 'Talking About Glaucoma,' host Rob Schertzer, a Vancouver-based glaucoma specialist, chats with guest Gavin Docherty about the evolving understanding of preservative-free therapies in glaucoma management. They discuss the historical rationale for including preservatives in eye drops and the recent studies showing that preservative-free options are equally effective while reducing side effects such as hyperemia, burning, and irritation. The conversation covers the benefits of preservative-free drops in terms of improving patient compliance and minimizing ocular surface damage, which could potentially lead to fewer surgeries and better outcomes. They also share clinical experiences and highlight the barriers to transitioning patients to preservative-free medications, including issues related to cost, accessibility, and environmental waste. The episode concludes with an emphasis on the importance of…

The intersection of glaucoma and dry eyes

One companies' road to AR & VR vision screening and the future roadmap

In this episode, I go beyond the basics of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with Dr Hady Saheb from McGill University. Our discussion includes Ganglion Cell Layer analysis, structure-function correlation, the floor effect, viewing-software vs printouts and explaining test results to patients.

A discussion with Shivani Kamat about Plateau Iris. The discussion includes the difference between plateau iris configuration and syndrome, how to distinguish plateau iris from other glaucomas and treatment options.

An in-depth discussion with Carla Siegfried on the perfect trabeculectomy and its key role in glaucoma care.

A talk with Steve Gedde on lessons learned from glaucoma surgery randomized controlled trials.

A talk with Daniel Laroche on his low cost solution for suprachoroidal shunts.

A talk with Gus DeMoraes on the development of the Humphrey 24-2C testing strategy.

A talk with Won I. Kim, a staff Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma Specialist at Walter Reed in Bethesda, MD, discussing combined minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries as an option for treatment of glaucoma that has failed traditional surgeries.

A talk with Rick Lewis, a glaucoma colleague based in Sacramento and Chief Medical Officer for Aerie Pharmaceuticals about a new class of glaucoma drugs called Rho Kinase inhibitors that came to market as Netasurdil or Rhopressa.

The pulsatile nature of flow through the Trabecular Meshwork and collector channels.

A discussion about the fluid wave in aqueous humour outflow with Ron Fellman.

A discussion of some of my pet peeves in Visual Field testing as well as a glimpse into what lies beyond the horizon.

Ethical issues in prescribing medical therapy for glaucoma

The time gap between reducing IOP by >20% and when the visual field stabilizes.

Analysis of the outcome of a physician-led team based approach to glaucoma care

The challenges in delivering glaucoma care to remote villages

An interim step instead of a 3rd or 4th glaucoma medication when patients are not quite ready for more invasive surgery.

Hi Frequency Ultrasound (HiFU) for early glaucoma - a promising future treatment

In this episode, Dr Blumenthal and I discuss the not so obvious technique of peripheral laser iridotomy, emphasizing the shift away from the 12 o'clock position to a temporal location for most patients. We discuss the rationale for this shift, that includes the dramatic reduction in photopsias, as well as some tips and tricks in performing this technique. Dr Blumenthal's contact information: Prof. Eytan Blumenthal Chairman Department of Ophthalmology Rambam Health Care Campus P.O. Box 9602 Haif...

In this episode, Dr Berlin and I discuss the elusive quest to have the Excimer Laser Trabeculostomy (ELT) that he pioneered gain traction after 30 years of development. (See the enhanced AAC version of this same episode for a version with chapter markers and images; not compatible on all devices but ideal version for iOS or computers.) Dr Berlin's contact information: Glaucoma Institute of Beverly Hills 8733 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 1-310-855-1112 berlin@ucla.edu http://www.glaucoma-institu...

In this episode, Dr Solish and I discuss the art of “needling” a filtering bleb, or as he likes to call it, a Slit Lamp Revision (SLR), to resuscitate its function. Beginning with the history of when he first thought of the idea as a resident and it was shot down and how this evolved to using antimetabolites in conjunction with the needling in order to discourage fibroblasts from forming more scar tissue from the procedure. You might be surprised to learn what types of blebs are more likely to i...

In this episode, Dr Krishna and I discuss the Eye HandBook app that he and partner Dr Ken Lord developed. This app, available for both iOS and Android devices, has been a huge success. How can you disagree when the price is FREE and it is loaded with useful information for eye care professionals? At the time of this recording in March 2011 the Android version had yet to be released but it has since been released…see links in the show notes for downloading the iPhone or Android versions. Dr. Kri...