Ep. 10 - Light Adjustable Lenses: An Introduction w/ Drs. Jeff Banas and Nick Bruns
(97461-PO, 0.5 hr)In this series, Dr. Jeff Banas and Dr. Nick Bruns will walk us through the fundamentals of the light adjustable lens — what it is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a game-changer in surgical vision correction. Today’s episode sets the foundation: we’ll cover the evolution of adjustable IOLs, why traditional lenses often fall short, and how the LAL allows patients to customize their vision after surgery.Dr. Bruns is actually one of the most experienced ODs in the country when it comes to LAL — having started with it back in early 2020 — and his insights on patient outcomes, workflow integration, and refractive accuracy are incredibly valuable.Dr. Banas brings a fantastic perspective from both the OD and patient education side, especially when it comes to managing expectations and guiding patients through the adjustment process.
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28:58
Ep. 9 - Glaucoma/Retina Coding + Billing with Dr. Chris Lopez
(96582-PM, 0.5 hr CE)Dr. Chris Lopez discusses the complexities of billing and coding for glaucoma and retina conditions in optometry. He highlights that only 28% of optometrists bill for visual fields, 28% for OCT of the nerve, 27% for OCT of the retina, 33% for fundus photos, 6% for pachymetry, and less than 5% for gonioscopy. Ophthalmologists bill for these tests at higher rates. Dr. Lopez emphasizes the importance of medical necessity and provides detailed reimbursement rates for various tests. He also notes the growing demand for medical eye care due to an aging population and the need for optometrists to expand their roles.
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40:25
Ep. 8 - Plaquenil Overview with Drs. Sam Valley and Chris Lopez
(96581-PH, 0.5 hr CE)Hosted by Dr. Chris Lopez and Dr. Sam Valley, this episode discusses hydroxychloroquine, its uses, side effects, and role in eye care. Introduced in 1955, hydroxychloroquine is used for malaria treatment, prophylaxis, and autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Key dosing guidelines are 400 mg weekly for malaria prophylaxis, 800 mg initially followed by 400 mg at intervals for malaria treatment, and 200-400 mg daily for autoimmune diseases. Monitoring for toxicity involves visual field testing, OCT retina, and other assessments. Risk factors include dose, duration, age, renal function, and genetics. Effective communication with rheumatologists is crucial for patient care.
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29:41
Ep. 7 - Opening a VT Practice with Dr. Miki Zilnicki
(96580-PM, 0.5 hr)Dr. Miki Lynn Zilnicki, co-owner of Twin Forks Optometry, shares insights on cold starting a vision therapy practice. Key decisions include whether to focus solely on vision therapy or offer full-scope services, accepting insurance, and whether to include an optical. Miki emphasizes the importance of aligning practice goals with personal values and cautioned against over-investing in advanced technology initially. She details the costs of starting a practice, which was around $250,000 for her, and highlights the benefits of virtual vision therapy during COVID-19. She also discusses the importance of precise documentation for workers' compensation and no-fault cases.
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37:30
Ep. 6 - Hypertension & Cholesterol - An Ocular Look with Dr. Sam Valley
(COPE ID 96562-PH, 0.5 hr)Dr. Sam Valley, who holds both an OD and PharmD degree, discusses the interplay between hypertension, cholesterol, and cardiology, emphasizing their implications for ocular health. Key points include the ASCVD risk calculator, which evaluates factors like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Hypertension treatments are detailed, highlighting thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) and their side effects like dry eye. ACE inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril) and ARBs (e.g., Losartan) are also discussed, noting their effects on blood pressure and potential side effects like dry cough. Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are mentioned for their roles in hypertension and arrhythmia management. The conversation also covers statins for hyperlipidemia, their benefits and rare side effects like myopathies. Finally, the discussion touches on medications for congestive heart failure, including loop diuretics and potassium-sparing diuretics, and their potential ocular side effects.
Optometry’s most productive podcast - where you earn a half hour of CE every time you tune in, absolutely free, with hosts Dr. Aaron Neufeld & Dr. Chris Lopez.
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