CRST: The Podcast

What does the landscape look like for office-based surgery? And what are on-the-ground experiences telling us about the future of eye care? Join moderator John A. Hovanesian, MD, as he hears from Mark Lobanoff, MD, andDagny Zhu, MD, both of whom have extensive experience with office-based surgery. Hear about their insights, their unexpected (pleasant) surprises, and their specific approaches in th...

Eric D. Rosenberg, DO, MScEng, and Vance Thompson, MD, discuss how everyday surgical observations can lead to impactful innovations. Together, they explore the evolution of femtosecond laser techniques, the role of AI in ophthalmology, and the value of sharing incremental insights. 

In this special live-recorded episode, Drs. Neda and Neda explore the clinical and practical impact of the Light Adjustable Lens (RxSight) in modern cataract surgery. They share compelling patient cases that illustrate the transformative potential of adjustability, particularly for individuals uncertain about their visual goals. The discussion includes practical strategies for counseling candidate...

Drs. Neda and Neda sit down with 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 explore the strategy—and psychology—behind negotiating your first job offer. From overcoming fear and understanding your value, to asking the right questions and crafting creative win-w...

CRST’s Chief Medical Editors—Drs. McCabe, Weinstock, and Wiley—share their real-world experiences and strategies for thriving in high-volume cataract surgery. From clinic efficiency and OR scheduling to team empowerment and patient engagement, they reflect on how to scale surgical volume without compromising quality or compassion.

Join Preeya Gupta, MD, and Chris Starr, MD, for a deep dive into the many new additions in the world of dry eye disease therapy, including those recently FDA-approved and those in the pipeline. 

Brandon D. Ayres, MD, continues this series exploring the best practices in keratoconus management by inviting John Berdahl, MD, to share his experience with crosslinking. The two discuss the bilateral nature of keratoconus and share their thought processes and approaches for managing the disease in both eyes. They also review the role of the referring optometrist and how to become a keratoconus d...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, examine the key elements of successful practice partnerships in ophthalmology. They discuss how junior and senior partners can build strong, collaborative relationships through mentorship, strategic recruitment, clear communication, and aligned expectations. They highlight the importance of trust, flexibility, and long-term vision in fostering a thriving and...

Carrie Jacobs, COE, CPSS, OCS, and Scott LaBorwit, MD, explore innovative practice management strategies for premium cataract surgery. In this episode, Carrie shares insights on how operational excellence can be seamlessly integrated with patient care to create an efficient, patient-centered practice, while Dr. LaBorwit shares his experience streamlining consultations through a dedicated cataract-...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, sit down with Kendall E. Donaldson, MD, MS, to explore the evolving landscape of academic ophthalmology. Dr. Donaldson shares her unique career journey—from her time as a resident and fellow at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute to her current leadership role in expanding academic satellite practices.

In the next installment of Best Practices in Keratoconus Management, Brandon Ayres, MD, invites Eva Kim, MD, to share tips and tricks for optimizing one’s practice for keratoconus treatment scheduling. Dr. Kim highlights important considerations for documenting disease progression to improve efficiencies in treatment and practice workflow. Test Your Knowledge HERE

In this episode of CRST: The Podcast, William F. Wiley, MD, joins John F. Doane, MD, FACS, and Michael D. Greenwood, MD, to tackle some of the most persistent myths in refractive surgery. From misconceptions about LASIK and astigmatism correction to patient expectations and the role of pupil size, the conversation sheds light on how far the field has come and where challenges remain. 

In this episode of Neda Squared, Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, are joined by Tanya Trinh, MBBS, FRANZCO, FWCRS, an expert on unconscious gender bias, to explore how bias impacts the medical profession. Together, they discuss the subtle yet pervasive ways bias manifests—from disparities in surgical caseloads to the challenges of imposter syndrome—and how these issues shape surgeons’ career...

Kendall E. Donaldson, MD, MS, is joined by Marjan Farid, MD, and George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS, to explore the transformative potential of adjustability in IOL technology. The conversation focuses on strategies for patient selection, managing expectations in post-refractive cases, and achieving precise outcomes in complex scenarios with adjustable lenses. Beyond current applications, the discussio...

In this episode of Neda Squared, hosts Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, delve into the complexities of hyperopic refractive surgery, exploring solutions for patients over 40 years of age with presbyopia and strategies for managing the more challenging younger hyperopes. They share insights into patient selection, education, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. 

In this new podcast series examining hot topics and clinical pearls for managing keratoconus, Brandon Ayres, MD, invites Priya Mathews, MD, MPH, to discuss how she fits crosslinking into her practice. Dr. Mathews explains how she appointed a member of her team to the “quarterback” position of organizing and managing the many moving parts of scheduling these patients. She also invites her keratocon...

In this follow-up to their initial discussion on integrating refractive surgery into practice and attracting patients, Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, now focus on optimizing the patient experience through a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. They discuss how a positive patient journey—from the initial phone call to postoperative follow-up—can enhance trust and satisfaction, making refrac...

In this episode of CRST: The Podcast, John A. Hovanesian, MD, hosts Emily Schehlein, MD, to explore actionable steps for reducing waste in cataract surgery. Dr. Schehlein shares insights from her work with EyeSustain, an initiative focused on making health care delivery and services in ophthalmology more sustainable—both economically and environmentally. From reducing packaging waste and unnecessa...

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL; RxSight) represents one of the most in-demand and cutting-edge innovations in refractive cataract surgery. How can surgeons best incorporate the LAL into their surgical practice such that they maximize patient and practice success? Join moderator Vance Thompson, MD, and panelists Priya Mathews, MD, and Brett Mueller, DO, PhD, as they examine their specific approache...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, interview Geoffrey Tabin, MD, cofounder of Cure Blindness Project and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Global Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Tabin shares his inspiring journey from witnessing the transformative impact of cataract surgery in Nepal to dedicating his life to combating preventable blindness worldwide. They discuss how he and Sanduk Ruit, MD...

In this episode of CRST: The Podcast, Gary Wörtz, MD, Guest Medical Editor for the May issue of CRST, speaks with Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, on a crucial yet often overlooked topic: emotional intelligence in patient care. They explore how managing complications, setting realistic expectations preoperatively, and fostering positive patient relationships through communication and empathy can greatly im...

Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, sit down with William B. Trattler, MD, to explore the profound impact of mentorship in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Trattler shares inspiring stories of how he has mentored colleagues and offers insights into how mentorship can shape careers, foster collaboration, and elevate the standard of patient care. The discussion highlights the importance of persona...

In this episode of CRST: The Podcast, host Kenneth Beckman, MD, FACS, speaks with Priya M. Mathews, MD, MPH, about the critical role of dry eye management in cataract surgery. They discuss the importance of optimizing the ocular surface before surgery to ensure premium outcomes, the challenges of establishing a dry eye clinic, and practical strategies for treating dry eye disease in surgical patie...

Hosts Neda Nikpoor, MD, and Neda Shamie, MD, share their personal journeys into refractive surgery and discuss the essentials of building a thriving refractive practice. From early training and challenges in academic settings to the transformative role of technology and patient care, they provide valuable insights and practical advice for both new and seasoned refractive surgeons.

Join Cristos Ifantides, MD, MBA, as he explores the emerging field of middle segment surgery (MSS) with guests Tanya Trinh, MBBS, FRANZCO, and Sadeer B. Hannush, MD. MSS utilizes the pars plana approach to address both anterior and posterior segment challenges in ophthalmic surgery. This episode covers the origins, techniques, and clinical implications of MSS and highlights the critical role of a...