Ois Podcast

Former Aerie CMO Brian Levy, OD, was settling down for a quieter life in Florida when he came upon OcuNexus, a biopharmaceutical company utilizing a novel mechanism of action called “Gap Junction Channel Modulation” to develop treatments for the front and back of the eye. Levy saw the opportunity to create a biopharma capable of devising new therapies inside and outside of ophthalmology.

Twenty five years ago, Michael Freeman collaborated with his father and brothers to create the first video technology that could transmit via cellular technology. As important an achievement as that might be, Freeman is developing an augmented reality device that could have an even greater impact on people who have lost their vision to Macular Degeneration. Once again, Freeman and his brothers have their father’s leadership to thank.

Paul Karpecki thought his odds were pretty good at the start of his career, but an early setback put him on a path that’s made him one of the most successful optometrists in the country. In this interview, Karpecki recounts his path to optometry and looks forward to how technology will change how he and other optometrists care for their patients. He also explains why he agreed to serve as a co-chair of the February 21 OIS@SECO.

Eye care innovator extraordinaire Mark Blumenkranz joins the podcast to preview the April 8 Forum on Laser-Based Imaging workshop. In this interview, Blumenkranz explains why eye care professionals of all types – ophthalmologists and optometrists – should plan on attending. We also talk about one of the more recent investments by Blumenkranz’s venture firm, Lagunitas Biosciences. Go to this link for more information about the workshop.

Vance Thompson Vision’s Justin Schweitzer, OD, will speak next month at the February 21 OIS@SECO. In this podcast, Dr. Schweitzer shares his insights on patient responses to new treatments for dry eye, glaucoma, and other conditions ­– and a whole lot more. He also is excited by new tools to be added to optometrists’ armamentarium. What brought him into optometry? What has him most excited about the future? 

In this encore OIS Podcast, well-known Dry Eye Coach discusses some of the strategies she’ll be sharing next month at OIS@SECO. Dr. Hauser will help lead off next month’s program at OIS@SECO. In this encore OIS Podcast, Dr. Hauser shares her insights on new dry eye treatments and offers advice for building an eye care practice through social media. 

Susan Orr, recently named CEO of Notal Vision, lays out an ambitious plan for the “16-year-old start-up” that promises better treatment and tracking for patients with age-related macular degeneration. Can Notal Vision create an effective home-based OCT scanner? Orr also walks us through a career that bridges optometry and large corporations. How is she preparing for the CEO role?

OIS Podcast visits with Eric Donnenfeld, MD, to review the field of innovative dry eye companies. We discuss the advances in drugs and devices, and Dr. Donnenfeld shares how new treatments are impacting ophthalmology, optometry, and combined practices. Few know the dry eye space as well.

Chris Wroten, OD, left a chemical engineering career to pursue his early love of optometry. This path followed a few detours and disasters (of the natural kind), but he credits the ophthalmology community for seeing him through some challenging times. Dr. Wroten, who is helping to organize the upcoming <a href="https://ois.net/ois-seco-2019/">OIS@SECO</a> in New Orleans, sees smooth roads ahead for innovation in eye care.

Steven Silverstein, MD, visits with the podcast to explain how extensively he uses Light Induced Visual-Response testing in his daily practice. We spoke with Dr. Silverstein prior to a talk he gave at this year’s AAO meeting. He explains how the test delivers important insights on patients battling several eye conditions including glaucoma, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. We also talk about his role in local politics, fluoridation, and how he got backstage with KISS.

First, thanks to everyone who has helped make the OIS Podcast such a success. We at Healthegy – the producer of the OIS Podcast and events – are grateful for your support. In this week’s episode, we’re visited again by Michael Abramoff, MD, founder and CEO of IDx, the first company to obtain FDA approval for an AI diagnostic tool. In this interview, Dr. Abramoff explains how IDx-DR, an autonomous AI diagnostic for diabetic retinopathy, worked its way through the FDA. He also shares the process he used to raise $33 million from a syndicate of high-powered investors including 8VC, Optum Ventures, Alpha Edison, and Heritage Provider Network. What’s the next step for IDx? Is it an IPO?

An OIS@Mars probably isn’t in the cards, but the Red Planet remains a tight focus of ophthalmic innovators like Bob Main of Web Vision Technologies. In this podcast, Main explains why he’s looking for ophthalmic companies with The Right Stuff for space travel.Web Vision Technologies is working closely with the National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) to develop an "All-in-One" vision testing (diagnostic) device that can be deployed on spacecraft for conducting comprehensive vision testing and evaluation, and to guide medical interventions of astronauts experiencing vision problems on future long-duration, deep space missions. 

Aldeyra CEO and president Todd Brady shares the podcast mike with Dave McMullin, the former Shire executive who recently joined as senior vice president of corporate development and strategy. Together, the pair discuss the company’s positive Phase II test results for topical ocular reproxalap in patients with dry eye disease. They also speak about Aldeyra’s promising pipeline.

In this podcast, CEO Franziska Ullrich explains how start-up Ophthorobotics is working to create a robotic system that can deliver intravitreal injections, freeing up physicians to work on other procedures. Ullrich discusses the system’s origins, its clinical path, and what plans are for the future. Ullrich will also present the company’s story at the October 25 OIS@AAO.

Eyedaptic president and founder Jay Cormier tells OIS Podcast about his company’s augmented reality visual aid for people with late-stage age-related macular degeneration, which it expects to start beta testing soon. Watch his presentation at OIS Retina in Vancouver here.

Founder and CEO Joel Wishkovsky created Simple Contacts’ phone-based app to save contact lens wearers time and money when they need a new supply of lenses but not a new prescription. Ophthalmologists are funding the company and conducting the remote examinations. But the firm isn’t seen favorably by optometrists, who stand to lose a steady stream of business.

In this podcast, James Thimons, OD, delivers a comprehensive state of innovation in the treatment of eye disease. We recorded this interview in August immediately following the National Glaucoma Society meeting on Cape Cod. Thimons discusses the impact of artificial intelligence, MIGS, extensive pressure monitoring, and the potential of a device that should be familiar to OIS Podcast listeners. He also explains the potential of the Ocular Response Analyzer and the ICARE Home Tonometer in the monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma. 721903

Chris Calcaterra, COO of Glaukos, revisits the company’s recent good fortune at the FDA, which approved its second generation iStent inject. What’s next for Glaukos? Calcaterra walks OIS Podcast listeners through the company’s “Five in Five” pipeline. In a follow up to the interview, Calcaterra also reacts to Alcon’s decision to recall CyPass. How will this impact Glaukos? Does he have any concerns?

Louis Pasquale, MD, introduces us to the promising results of Eyenovia’s trial of its Microdrops latanoprost delivery platform. He also talks glaucoma. Is there an unexplored cause? And what promise does telemedicine hold for ophthalmology?

Peter Menziuso, president, North America Vision Care, Johnson & Johnson Vision, discusses J&J’s efforts to lobby against any significant changes to the contact lens rule, saying patients are best served by obtaining prescriptions through eye care professionals. He explains J&J’s acquisition of online service, Sightbox.