CRST: The Podcast

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 initiatives such as the Pediatric Ophthalmology Mentorship Program through the AAO Leadership Development Program.

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 and a community health worker curriculum. Dr. Barber reviews distance surgical mentorship, a smartphone-to-microscope telementoring approach that supports ophthalmologists in low-resource settings as they transition to independent cataract surgery. Together, these initiatives illustrate a scalable, team-based pipeline to build capacity and reduce preventable blindness; related perspectives appear in CRST’s June 2025 “Bridging the Gap” issue. Related reading: "A Workforce Solution to Expand Access to Eye Care" "Scaling Surgical Mentorship Across Borders"

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 crosslinking treatment, coordinating with referring doctors, and more. Test Your Knowledge HERE

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 use in complex cases, and keratopigmentation techniques.

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 care.

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. The conversation covers key findings from the FDA clinical trial and early post-market use, including exceptional visual acuity outcomes, improved night vision, and high levels of patient satisfaction. Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb©2025 Bausch + Lomb  TEN.0014.USA.25

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.

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 this special coverage on CRST: The Podcast.

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 candidates and candid insights into premium lens adoption and patient-centered decision-making.

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-win outcomes, Professor Carrel shares practical tools to help approach negotiations with confidence, curiosity, and clarity.

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 detective to find proof of disease progression before treatment.

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 sustainable practice.

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-only clinic and leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and outcomes.

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.