Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Podcast

For our 100th episode, we welcome Dr. Will Flanary, the ophthalmologist and comedian behind Dr. Glaucomflecken. Dr. Flanary shares how an anonymous creative outlet grew into a platform reaching millions and takes us behind the specialty characters we all love. Dr. Will Flanary shares how humor, storytelling, and satire have helped create meaningful conversations about the realities of modern healthcare and the physician experience. We discuss why physicians struggle to speak with one voice, how state-level advocacy can create real change, and why he is urging communities to “keep medicine local.” Funny, candid, and hopeful, this episode reveals why Dr. Glaucomflecken’s humor resonates with all of us. The appearance of any guest does not imply an endorsement of them, their employer, or any entity they represent. Subscribe to the podcast:  https://MayoClinicOphthalmology.podbean.com   Follow and reach out to us on X and IG: @mayocliniceye

In this episode, Dr. Bernhisel discusses two articles on global ophthalmology. Tune in to learn about Dissemination and Implementation Science and why innovative advancements don’t typically translate to improved patient outcomes. One of the articles is an opinion piece on overcoming the “last-mile translational gap” in ophthalmology care globally. The other is a successful example where a Smart phone app enhanced follow up after failed school screening in Kenya. As much as imaging and AI help us dream big in ophthalmology, these articles remind us that we need to be mindful of patient behavior, reach, adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. Subscribe to the podcast:  https://MayoClinicOphthalmology.podbean.com  Follow and reach out to us on X and IG: @mayocliniceye

What if a decades-old infection-control rule isn’t actually making eye care safer and is instead damaging equipment, generating unnecessary plastic waste, and costing the health care system millions?  In this episode, we are joined by Mayo Clinic glaucoma specialist, Dr. Cheryl Khanna, to discuss a potentially practice-changing position statement from the American Glaucoma Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology on tonometer disinfection. The group explores why longstanding high-level disinfection requirements may deserve reconsideration, including the lack of confirmed infections transmitted through tonometry, potential damage to Goldmann tonometer tips from high-level disinfection, and the unique antimicrobial properties of the ocular surface.  Tune in to hear evidence supporting physical cleaning and low-level disinfection for appropriately selected patients.  Finally, the conversation tackles the financial and environmental consequences of disposable devices in ophthalmology and what still needs to happen before these recommendations translate into widespread changes in clinical practice.   Subscribe to the podcast:  https://MayoClinicOphthalmology.podbean.com  Follow and reach out to us on X and IG: @mayocliniceye

In Part 2, we transitioned to a journal club featuring two impactful recent publications on astigmatism management. Dr. Sella reviews a randomized clinical trial comparing femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy (FLAK) versus toric intraocular lens implantation for the correction of corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery, followed by a discussion of toric intraocular lens calculations in eyes with corneal ectasia, highlighting the unique challenges of achieving accurate refractive outcomes in patients with irregular corneas. Together, both episodes combine expert perspective with the latest clinical evidence, offering practical insights into contemporary cataract and refractive surgery. Whether you are a resident, comprehensive ophthalmologist, anterior segment surgeon, or simply interested in advances in ophthalmology, we hope you enjoy both parts of this special series. Subscribe to the podcast:  https://MayoClinicOphthalmology.podbean.com   Follow and reach out to us on X and IG: @mayocliniceye

In this two-part episode, we welcome Dr. Ruti Sella, who is a cataract, cornea, and refractive surgeon, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, and Clinical Practice Chair at Mayo Clinic. In Part 1, we explore the evolution of modern cataract surgery, discussing advances in refractive outcomes, premium intraocular lenses, surgical planning, keratoconus, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in improving precision and personalization of cataract surgery. Together, these episodes combine expert perspective with the latest clinical evidence, offering practical insights into contemporary cataract and refractive surgery. Whether you are a resident, comprehensive ophthalmologist, anterior segment surgeon, or simply interested in advances in ophthalmology, we hope you enjoy both parts of this special series. Subscribe to the podcast:  https://MayoClinicOphthalmology.podbean.com  Follow and reach out to us on X and IG: @mayocliniceye