EyeCode Media

"Aaron sits down with pro soccer forward and author Christina Birkenroad to unpack the real journey behind the goals—from Mission Bay High School and Cal State Fullerton to the NWSL, Europe, and eventually becoming a key player for Rayadas de Monterrey and the Mexican national team. Christina shares what actually separates good from great: habits, resilience, mental toughness, and learning to handle the highs and lows of a public, cutthroat career. They dive into her book The Footballer’s Handbook and why it’s more than a soccer guide—it’s a blueprint for anyone chasing excellence, navigating burnout, and building a “champion mindset” in life and work Get the Book: The Footballer's Handbook: A Player’s Journey: Lessons, Mindset, and Winning Moments (https://a.co/d/f43Bs9L) Connect with Christina: Instagram: @cburkyy Cburkenroad19@gmail.com"

In this episode, Chris responds to a listener’s thoughtful question: “Do we really need to check blood pressure on every adult patient?” What starts as a question about workflow becomes a much bigger conversation about how optometrists spend their time, what really changes patient outcomes, and how to break the habit of checking boxes just for compliance. We unpack: The clinical and administrative context behind routine BP checks Why MIPS might not apply to your practice—and what that means The opportunity cost of low-yield testing How to rethink what “comprehensive” really means in your exam The case for reclaiming time to do more of what matters Bottom line: If it doesn’t change how you care for the patient, maybe it doesn’t belong in the exam. 📌 Want to explore ways to optimize your workflow and focus on high-value care? Visit pppnow.com to learn how Practice Performance Partners can help elevate your practice.   ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://coopervision.com/myopia-management Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

"Aaron kicks off 2026 with practice manager and Working Genius coach Sophie Thune to unpack what changed in the second half of 2025—when capture rates dipped and the “cracks” in systems and leadership became impossible to ignore. Together they break down Werner Optometry’s leadership team Working Genius map (Wonder → Tenacity), what’s missing (hello, Galvanizing), and how each genius is fueled—or crushed—by specific leadership behaviors. A practical, vulnerable conversation on communication, accountability, team dynamics, and rebuilding stronger for the year ahead. Learn more and contact Sophie: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-thune Email: sophie@goodlifeeyecare.com EyeCodeEducation's ""Practice Culture Builder"" course (https://www.eyecodeeducation.com/courses/PracticeCultureBuilder)"

Episode Description In this year-end episode, Chris Wolfe, OD takes a step back from protocols, products, and positioning statements to examine a more fundamental question in clinical care: when does belief help us act, and when does belief get ahead of the data? Throughout the year, we’ve emphasized that belief during the comprehensive exam is what drives action. If doctors and teams do not truly believe something matters, it does not get prioritized. But belief has a failure mode. When belief outpaces evidence, especially in pediatric care, it can distort expectations, decision-making, and policy. Using the FDA’s decision on low-dose atropine as a case study, this episode explores how belief forms, how it spreads, and where it may diverge from what the publicly available data actually show. This is not an argument against myopia management or atropine therapy. It is an attempt to slow the conversation down and examine effect size, study design, endpoints, and uncertainty with clarity and humility. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why myopia management itself is not the controversy, but certainty often is How belief influences behavior in the comprehensive exam, for better and for worse What the FDA actually said in its Complete Response Letter on SYD-101 How professional statements and press releases can amplify belief beyond available data What the STAR trial poster does and does not show, including effect size and subgroup uncertainty Why modest effect sizes behave differently in real-world clinical practice How to think about dose, endpoints, and population selection without oversimplifying Why belief should motivate action, but evidence should calibrate expectations Key Sources Referenced in This Episode FDA and Manufacturer Statements Sydnexis Complete Response Letter Press Release Sydnexis Receives Complete Response Letter from FDA for SYD-101 to Slow Pediatric Myopia Progression https://www.sydnexis.com/news/sydnexis-receives-complete-response-letter-from-fda-for-syd-101 Sydnexis Phase III STAR Trial Topline Data Press Release Sydnexis Announces Topline Pivotal Data from Phase 3 STAR Trial https://www.sydnexis.com/news/sydnexis-announces-topline-pivotal-data-from-phase-3-star-trial UK Approval Announcement (Based on STAR Data) Sydnexis Announces UK Approval of Ryjunea by Partner Santen https://www.sydnexis.com/news/sydnexis-announces-uk-approval-of-ryjunea Professional Organization Statements AAOMC Public Statement AAOMC Calls for Access to Proven Myopia Therapies as Low-Dose Atropine Gains Global Approvals https://aaomc.org AAPOS Commentary on Nonapproval of SYD-101 Available via LinkedIn and Healio OSN Clinical Commentary and Analysis Kyle Klute, OD – Optometry Simplified My Alternative Take on Atropine, Fast Progressors, and Effect Size (NNT Analysis) https://optometrysimplified.com/posts/optometry-simplified-weekly-my-alternative-take-on-atropine-fast-progressors-in-glaucoma-lab-test-ordering-and-more Strongly recommended for a detailed discussion of effect size and Number Needed to Treat. This episode references Kyle’s framework without reproducing his calculations. Review of Myopia Management – Ashley Wallace Tucker, OD What Does the FDA Decision on SYD-101 Mean for Eye Care? Review of Optometry – Paul Karpecki, OD Sydnexis Snubbed Review of Optometry – Cory Lappin, OD Optometric Physician Commentary on SYD-101 Healio OSN – Ed Wilson, MD and John Hovanesian, MD AAPOS: Nonapproval of SYD-101 Has Important Implications Why This Episode Matters This episode is not about picking sides. It is about learning to sit in uncertainty without abandoning action. It challenges listeners to examine where belief helps patient care and where belief may unintentionally replace careful analysis. If you manage myopia, counsel parents, interpret clinical trials, or influence policy, this episode is designed to help you think more clearly, not more loudly. Connect and Continue the Conversation If this episode resonated with you, or if you found yourself uncomfortable in parts of it, that reaction is worth exploring. Thoughtful medicine requires both conviction and restraint. ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://coopervision.com/myopia-management Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Maldonado shares her journey in optometry, focusing on her practice in San Antonio and the integration of IPL technology for dry eye treatment. She discusses the importance of systematic approaches to patient care, the ROI of new equipment, and the significance of tracking patient outcomes. Dr. Maldonado emphasizes the need for courage in implementing new practices and the value of standardizing treatment protocols among practitioners. The conversation highlights the opportunities for optometrists to enhance their practices and better serve patients with dry eye conditions. ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://coopervision.com/myopia-management Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth  

"In this solo monologue, Aaron Werner reflects on a simple coaching lesson that became a framework for leadership, personal growth, and continuous improvement. As 2025 is coming to a close, this episode challenges listeners to stay curious, question habits, and find better, more efficient ways to work, train, and lead into 2026. Terry Moor Ted Talk ""How To Tie Your Shoes"": https://youtu.be/zAFcV7zuUDA?si=vH_Gwq7pqr6VDzqI"   ----------------------- Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts Let's Connect! Follow and join the conversation! Instagram: @aaron_werner_vision

------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?eventid=4970954&groupId=6158316&key=6D958B67035A8B4047B2FBD06AE4F38A&sessionid=1&sourcepage=register?partnerref=website&target=reg20.jsp   ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

In this episode of The Book Nerds Podcast, Aaron, Brianna, and Kyle dive into The Stress Paradox by Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist — exploring why stress isn’t the enemy we think it is. From redefining “good stress” to balancing life’s pressures with purpose, they connect insights on biology, mindset, and leadership with their own lives and practices. The conversation touches on fasting, cold plunges, resilience, and how embracing discomfort drives growth. Join us reading November 2025's book: The Science of Scaling by Benjamin Hardy References from our discussion: - Chuie's Bold Move by Dr Katie Chu (https://a.co/d/958zf1W) - Optometry Simplified Newsletter - click here to Subscribe to Kyle's biweekly newsletter

------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

----------------------- Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts Let's Connect! Follow and join the conversation! Instagram: @aaron_werner_vision

https://integratedpwm.com/   ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing & Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

As 2025 winds down, Aaron sits down with Refractional CFO’s Jackson Pace and Kevin Dang to break down the major tax changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” They unpack what practice owners need to know about bonus depreciation, Section 179, QBI updates, ERC audits, and new deductions and credits—from child tax to senior benefits. Whether you love talking numbers or dread tax season, this episode helps you plan smarter, avoid surprises, and end the year financially prepared. For more info you can reach Jackson and Kevin here: https://www.refractionalcfo.com/ Jackson Pace direct email <jackson@refractionalcfo.com> Schedule a call https://calendly.com/refractionalcfo/discovery-call   ----------------------- Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts Let's Connect! Follow and join the conversation! Instagram: @aaron_werner_vision

Dr. Chris Wolfe examines how dry eye disease became linked with aesthetic treatments like IPL and radiofrequency. While these light-based therapies show real benefits for inflammation and gland function, marketing them as cosmetic services blurs the line between medical care and elective treatment.   ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing & Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing &amp; Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

20/20 Magazine’s Christine Yeh joins Aaron to unpack Oakley’s 50th, the rise of smart glasses beyond the “fad,” how eyewear became the ultimate accessory, and where print and social media, fashion, and AI are taking optical—while keeping it real for patients. To connect with Christine: 20/20 Magazine  Instagram @2020mag  LinkedIn    ----------------------- Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts Let's Connect! Follow and join the conversation! Instagram: @aaron_werner_vision

In this episode, Chris discusses the evolving landscape of diabetic eye exams, particularly the shift towards fundus photography and the implications of AI in this space. He emphasizes the importance of comprehensive eye care beyond just fundus imaging, highlighting the limitations of such technology and the need for a holistic approach to patient management. Chris calls for a redefinition of value in eye care, urging practitioners to focus on the broader health needs of diabetic patients rather than merely fulfilling compliance metrics.   ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing &amp; Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing &amp; Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

In this conversation, Chris and Dr. Ryan Corte discuss the journey from being a student to becoming a successful optometrist with multiple locations. They delve into the challenges and strategies of rebranding a practice, the differences between corporate and private practice, and the role of AI in modern optometry. They also explore the importance of community impact, exit strategies for practice owners, and the value of sharing knowledge through podcasting. ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing &amp; Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing &amp; Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEt3AkIpRrfNhieeImiZBF5lYRIR2aAsl7UqWJ_m2GV6OKEA/viewform?usp=header https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth

Aaron sits down with compliance expert Dr. Joe DeLoach, Cheif Compliance Officer of Practice Performance Partners and cybersecurity specialist Dave MacKinnon of Promethean One to unpack what every private practice owner needs to know about HIPAA, data protection, and evolving security laws. They discuss the biggest threats facing eye care practices today—from phishing scams to ransomware—and outline simple, practical steps to safeguard your systems, protect patient data, and stay ahead of upcoming HIPAA changes. A must-listen for any doctor or administrator who wants peace of mind in an increasingly digital world. For more info and to connect with Joe and David: Practice Performance Partners (https://www.practiceperformancepartners.com/) Promethean One (https://www.promethean.one/medical) ------------------------ Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts Let's Connect! Follow and join the conversation! Instagram: @aaron_werner_vision

In this episode, Chris discusses the importance of evaluating and refining history forms in optometry to enhance patient care. He emphasizes the need for relevant questions that truly matter to both the clinician and the patient, advocating for a tailored approach to history-taking that aligns with specific patient complaints. The conversation highlights the complexity of comprehensive exams and the necessity of focusing on actionable insights that can lead to better patient outcomes. ------------------- For our listeners, use the code 'EYECODEMEDIA22' for 10% off at check out for our Premiere Billing &amp; Coding bundle or our EyeCode Billing &amp; Coding course. Sharpen your billing and coding skills today and leave no money on the table! questions@eyecode-education.com https://coopervision.com/our-company/... Go to MacuHealth.com and use the coupon code PODCAST2024 at checkout for special discounts  Show Sponsors: CooperVision MacuHealth