CRST: The Podcast

In this podcast episode, Christine Funke, MD, is joined by Zarmeena Vendal, MD, and Lisa Feulner, MD, PhD, to discuss how surgeons can operationalize the use of iDose TR (Glaukos) and integrate this procedural pharmaceutical into their glaucoma treatment armamentarium. The discussion covers the barriers to implementation and next steps for integrating interventional glaucoma in practice.

Ashley Brissette, MD, MSc, FRCSC; and Matthew Rauen, MD Join Dr. Ashley Brissette and Dr. Matthew Rauen for the first episode of the UNITYtime Podcast—a new series focused on the real impact of extraordinary experiences with UNITY® VCS |CS. In this inaugural episode, they share early impressions of UNITY® VCS | CS, including insights on workflow, team experience, and considerations when transition...

George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS, speaks with Dagny C. Zhu, MD, about refractive lens exchange and her same-day bilateral refractive lens exchange workflow in an office-based surgery setting. Dr. Zhu discusses how refractive lens exchange fits into her cash-pay refractive practice, how her team screens and evaluates candidates, and the steps involved when patients proceed from consultation to surgery...

In this special podcast episode, I. Paul Singh, MD, speaks with Deborah Ristvedt, DO, and Kevin Talbot, MD, regarding the use of iDose TR (Glaukos), a procedural pharmaceutical, as an interventional glaucoma approach. They outline who the optimal patients are for this procedure, how to educate patients about drug delivery technology, and share pearls on reimbursement.

Neda Shamie, MD, and Neda Nikpoor, MD, are joined by Eva Kim, MD, for a practical conversation on vision correction in patients with keratoconus and postrefractive ectasia. They discuss the evolving role of CXL, strategies for assessing corneal stability after CXL, and how to approach refractive decision-making in complex corneas.

In this episode, Drs. Neda and Neda invite Alyson Carrel, Clinical Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Codirector of its nationally-ranked Center on Negotiation, Mediation, and Restorative Justice, to continue discussion on negotiation strategies as one’s career evolves. Listen as Professor Carrel shares tips for physicians on conflict resolution, negotiation of partnership...

Cathleen McCabe, MD, speaks with Sean Ianchulev, MD, MPH, about his recent article in CRST’s January issue, “AI Beyond the Clinic,” which provides a deep dive on how regulation and reimbursement accelerate AI and home monitoring beyond exam lanes and into patients' homes. Dr. Ianchulev shares insights into where AI currently impacts his clinic and the innovation he implements to elevate patient ca...

Brandon D. Ayres, MD, continues this series exploring the best practices in keratoconus management with the discussion of the recent FDA approval of Epioxa, an advancement in corneal cross-linking for the treatment of keratoconus. Kenneth Beckman, MD, explains what excites him about Epioxa and how it can improve patient comfort and minimize recovery time. The two surgeons also review the role of s...

Drs. Neda and Neda explore how modern refractive surgery is evolving beyond a one-size-fits-all LASIK model. They discuss next-generation laser vision correction based on highly personalized eye measurements, share real-world pearls on screening and counseling patients, and explain why they now frame patient visits as vision correction consultations rather than LASIK consults. They also touch on w...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, reframe refractive surgery as a comprehensive vision-correction mindset rather than a single procedure, exploring how advanced diagnostics and disciplined risk stratification guide candidacy and smart decision-making across refractive options. They outline when to pivot—or defer—and emphasize expectation-setting, patient motivation, and screening for medical...

Uday Devgan, MD, FACS, FRCS, speaks with Christopher E. Starr, MD, FACS, and Brian Shafer, MD, in two short segments drawn from CRST's October cover focus, "Refractive Cataract Roundtables." Dr. Starr reviews a practical approach to preoperative ocular surface optimization—key exam steps, stop-rules before biometry, and simple readiness markers. Dr. Shafer outlines his IOL decision framework, bala...

In this Best Practices in Keratoconus Management podcast episode, Brandon D. Ayres, MD, welcomes Tomas Navratil, PhD, to examine the crucial role of oxygen in corneal crosslinking. Dr. Navratil explains the underlying science of oxygen’s involvement in the crosslinking reaction and how varying oxygen levels can affect treatment efficacy. The discussion highlights emerging strategies and new techno...

In this podcast, Audrey Talley Rostov, MD, and Nandini Venkateswaran, MD, discuss the following topics to help you get started with SMILE: What is SMILE Why they prefer SMILE  How to get started with SMILE Common issues when getting started with SMILE: Centration, Identifying Surgical Planes, Difficult Dissections SMILE pre and post operative regimens  Where each doctor positions SMILE in their pr...

Dagny Zhu, MD, joins Neda Nikpoor, MD, for a discussion on how a refractive surgeon can build an authentic, patient-facing brand on social media. They cover what actually drives consults—relatable education, selective personal storytelling, and platform fit—plus how to address anti-LASIK noise with evidence, handle trolls without grandstanding, and keep a sustainable cadence you’ll stick to.

Suphi Taneri, MD, FEBOS-CR; Radhika Rampat, MBBS, BSc(Hons), FRCOphth, CertLRS, FWCRS; Gilles Lesieur, MD; Paul Dupeyre, MSc; Ben LaHood, MBChB, PGDipOphth, PhD, FRANZCO, FWCRS; Aylin Kiliç, MDRecorded live at ESCRS 2025 in Copenhagen, this special edition of CRST: The Podcast, presented by Eyetube’s Meeting Coverage, features leading voices reflecting on the innovations and discussions shaping th...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, sits down with Rupa K. Wong, MD, to unpack how an intentional, authentic brand can strengthen patient trust and fuel broader impact. Dr. Wong shares how speaking directly to her core audience (millennial parents) keeps education relatable, explains why blending personal and professional presence works in a small community, and shows how mentorship grew organically into larger ini...

Kevin Barber, MD, speaks with Cynthia Matossian, MD, and Sara O’Connor, MD, MPH, about strategies to address workforce shortages and training gaps in ophthalmic care. Dr. Matossian outlines the American College of Eye Technicians and its technician training model to expand career awareness and technical competency, and Dr. O’Connor describes ACE Global’s ophthalmic technician program in Honduras a...

Building on their first discussion Neda Shamie, MD, revisits the topic with Tanya Trinh, MBBS, FRANZCO, FWCRS, shifting from recognition to implementation. The conversation covers building inclusive programs (diversifying panels and thoughtfully limiting repeat speakers to create space), engaging male allies and role models, applying blinded selection where feasible, and auditing outcomes.

In this episode, experts in administrative support join Brandon D. Ayres, MD, to discuss their role in facilitating patient treatment for keratoconus. Susan DeGroot, MBA, executive director at Vance Thompson Vision, and Vivian Cole, BA, director of administrative services at Horizon Eye Specialists, explain their approaches to bringing patients into their practices, securing approval for crosslink...

This special edition of CRST: The Podcast, recorded live at AECOS Europe 2025 in London, features six discussions from Eyetube’s Meeting Coverage. Topics include patient selection and long-term outcomes in presbyopia correction, advances in keratorefractive lenticule extraction, innovation in IOL customization, automated slit lamp imaging integration, solid-state laser technology, adjustable lens...

Neda Shamie, MD, sits down with George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS, for a conversation about his journey from academic medicine to founding the Waring Vision Institute in Charleston, South Carolina. They explore his philosophy toward refractive care, the origin and impact of the term dysfunctional lens syndrome, and how his practice uniquely blends research, surgical innovation, and patient-centered ca...

Jai Parekh, MD, MBA, FAAO, chief commercial officer for Nordic Pharma Inc., and Phil Gioia, president of Nordic Pharma Inc., invite Darrell White, MD, to share his real-world experiences with LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel.

In this episode, Drs. Waring and Chu share clinical insights and real-world experience from the first year of using the Teneo 317 excimer laser for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism. As the first excimer platform to receive FDA approval in over 15 years, the Teneo 317 introduces modern performance to U.S. practices with its compact design, fast ablation speed, and intuitive user interface....

 Drs. Neda and Neda sit down with John A. Hovanesian, MD, to unpack how to truly empower cataract patients in today’s practice. They share practical insights on building trust, handling patient fears, and guiding decision-making for premium IOLs and lifestyle vision goals. 

Laura Livesey and Rod Solar unpack the six stages of private ophthalmology practice growth—from launching and gaining visibility to optimizing operations at scale. They explore the key challenges at each stage and the strategies practices can use to progress, offering a clear, practical framework to identify your current stage and plan your next steps.