All Episodes - Straight From The Cutter's Mouth: A Retina Podcast
An informal yet insightful commentary featuring interviews and perspectives from leaders in vitreoretinal surgery as well as the next generation of retinal specialists
View Podcast Details40 Episodes
Episode 494: Recap of the 2026 Ophthalmology Residency Match
Drs. Zubair Ansari and Kat Talcott join to discuss the 2026 ophthalmology residency match, especially focusing on the declining match rate for first time applicants and what that means for future applicants and reapplicants. Listeners, as we approach our 500th episode, we will be having a Q&A session featuring questions and thoughts from you! It’s your chance to have your voice heard on the podcast.Please record an audio / video of your question and upload it to the linked form (https://forms.gle/nyv3fvCHZJ4XzQe67). We are excited to hear what you...
Episode 493: Journal Club Including Hemorrhagic PVD Follow-Up, GLP-1 Agonists and AMD, Preoperative Anti-VEGF for Diabetic Vitrectomy
Drs. Kat Talcott and Nita Valikodath join for a journal club episode discussion of three recent publications: Hemorrhagic PVD Follow-Up (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00791-2/fulltext) GLP-1 Agonists and AMD (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00597-4/abstract) Preoperative Anti-VEGF for Diabetic Vitrectomy (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00600-1/abstract)
Episode 492: Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology and Retina Discussion with Drs. Louie Cai and Ted Leng
Drs. Louie Cai and Ted Leng join to discuss the state of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology as of February 2026.
Episode 491: Journal Club Including Racial/Ethnic Disparities and Diabetic Retinopathy Outcomes, Physician Age and Quality Outcomes, and IRIS Registry IOFB Study
Drs. Kat Talcott and Nita Valikodath join for a journal club episode discussion of three recent publications: Racial/Ethnic Disparities and Diabetic Retinopathy (https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(25)00593-8/abstract) Physician Age and Quality Outcomes (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00524-X/fulltext) IRIS Registry IOFB Study (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00508-1/fulltext)
Episode 490: Retina Fellowship Supply and Demand Discussion with Drs. Avni Finn and Yoshihiro Yonekawa
Drs. Avni Finn and Yoshi Yonekawa join to discuss stats and their thoughts on retina fellowship supply and demand.
Episode 489: January 2026 Retinal Physician preview including OCT Angiography, Wearables for Retinal Health, Heads-Up Display, and Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join to discuss the January 2026 edition of Retinal Physician, including OCT angiography, wearables for retinal health, heads-up display for retinal surgery, and endogenous fungal endophthalmitis.
Episode 488: Prognosticating Retina in the Rest of the 2020s with Dr. David Eichenbaum and Adventures of a Chess Girl with Katie Kormanik
In this double-sided feature, first Dr. David Eichenbaum joins to discuss his thoughts on the biggest developments coming for the rest of the 2020s. Next, Katie Kormanik joins to discuss her book Adventures of a Chess Girl, available December 2025: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Chess-Girl-Depths-World-ebook/dp/B0FSP4FJ1Q.
Episode 487: Masterpiece Retina Returns with Drs. Ajay Kuriyan and Will Parke
Drs. Ajay Kuriyan and Will Parke return for everyone's favorite niche retina podcast format: Masterpiece Retina.
Episode 486: AAO 2025 Retina News Recap with Drs. Priya Vakharia and Sarwar Zahid
Drs. Priya Vakharia and Sarwar Zahid join to discuss their favorite discussions from AAO 2025, including geographic atrophy, pipeline products, practice consolidation, and whole eye transplantation.
Episode 485: Journal Club Including Fellow Eye PVD, Can You Compare Syfovre and Izervay?, and Litigation Involving Intravitreal Injections
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join for a journal club episode discussion of three recent publications: Fellow Eye PVD (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/24741264251379842) Syfovre versus Izervay (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/24741264251379842) Litigation Involving Intravitreal Injections (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00439-7/abstract)
Episode 484: November 2025 Retinal Physician preview including TKIs, Fluorinated Gas and Sustainability, Best Practices for Clinical Trial Sites, and Fellowship Selection Advice
Drs. Kat Talcott and Sarwar Zahid join to discuss the December 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, including an overview of TKIs for retinal disease, the fluorinated gas and sustainability question, best practices for research clinical trial sites, and fellowship selection advice.
Episode 483: Bonus Episode, Live Q+A With Dr. Albert Lin and Dr. Jay Sridhar at University of Mississippi
In this extra 'bonus' fourth episode for October 2025 Drs. Albert Lin and Jay Sridhar conduct a medical/surgical retina Q+A session at the University of Mississippi.
Episode 482: Journal Club Podcast Including Functional Benefit in Geographic Atrophy Treatment, GLP-1 Agonists and Uveitis, Metformin and AMD
Drs. Priya Vakharia and Sarwar Zahid join for a journal club discussion. Functional Benefit in Geographic Atrophy Treatment (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2839343) GLP-1 Agonists and Uveitis (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2838119) Metformin and AMD (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2838821)
Episode 481: Retflix and Chill Crossover Live Episode at ASRS 2025 Discussing Current State of Retina Including Practice Management and Economics
Drs. Kat Talcott, Akshay Thomas, and Sarwar Zahid join for this very special crossover "Retflix and Chill" episode recorded live at ASRS 2025 including discussion of the current state of retina practice management and economics.
Episode 480: October Retinal Physician preview including Inherited Retinal Disease, Gene Therapy, and Sickle Retinopathy
Drs. Marianeli Rodriguez and Kat Talcott join to discuss the October 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, including inherited retinal disease treatment pipeline, gene therapy, and systemic therapy for sickle cell disease and retinopathy.
Episode 479: Journal Club Episode Including Cannabis Use and PVR Risk, Neovascular AMD Presentation, Macular Hole Closure Without Gas, OKAPS Score and Board Exam Results
Drs. Sarwar Zahid and Safa Rahmani join for a journal club discussion of the following articles:Cannabis Use and PVR Risk (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2835775)Neovascular AMD Presentation (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00458-0/abstract)Macular Hole Closure Without Gas (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00276-3/abstract)OKAPS Score and Board Exam Results (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2835951)
Episode 478: September Retinal Physician preview Including Port Delivery System, AI for Retinopathy of Prematurity, Suprachoroidal Injections
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join to discuss the September 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, including port delivery system thoughts, AI for ROP, and suprachoroidal injections.
Episode 477: Solo Retina Practice Redux with Drs. Steve Christiansen, Alex Ringeisen, and Sarwar Zahid
Drs. Steve Christiansen, Alex Ringeisen, and Sarwar Zahid rejoin the program to discuss updates to their experiences in solo retina practice.
Episode 476: Ophthalmology Residency Match Update Including Preference Signaling Discussion with Drs. Zubair Ansari and Basil Williams
Drs. Zubair Ansari and Basil Williams join for a candid discussion regarding the state of the ophthalmology residency match, including a discussion of dropping match percentages and the introduction of preference signaling.
Episode 475: ASRS 2025 Recap with Dr. Kat Talcott
Drs. Kat Talcott and Jay discuss their favorite presentations from the 2025 ASRS Annual Meeting in Long Beach, CA.
Episode 474: Journal Club Including Generation of Fluorescein Angiogram Images, Industry Trial Sponsorship and Results, GLP-1 Agonists and Neovascular AMD, Burnout Among Uveitis Specialists
Drs. Kat Talcott and Sarwar Zahid join for a journal club episode. FA Image Generation (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2835600)Industry Trial Sponsorship and Results (https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(25)00325-3/fulltext)GLP-1 Agonists and Neovascular AMD (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2834964)Burnout Among Uveitis Specialists (https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(25)00342-3/abstract)Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 473: July 2025 Retinal Physician Preview with Surgical Video Pearls, PFO Management, GRT, Buckle Complications, Secondary IOLs
Drs. Safa Rahmani and Sarwar Zahid join to discuss the July 2025 Retinal Physician focusing on surgical cases and pearls. Relevant Financial Disclosures: None
Episode 472: What is the state of Geographic Atrophy Treatment? Discussion of Complement Inhibition and More with Drs. M. Ali Khan and Ajay Kuriyan
Drs. M. Ali Khan and Ajay Kuriyan join to discuss the current sentiment in the retina community regarding geographic atrophy treatment, specifically complement inhibition. Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Sridhar has consulted for both Apellis and Iveric Bio in the past 3 years. You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 471: State of Retina in 2025 with ASRS President Dr. Michael Jumper
Current American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS) President Dr. Michael Jumper joins to discuss current issues facing retinal specialists in 2025, including focused practice designation, Good Days funding, operating room access, and practice consolidation. Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 470: Journal Club Discussion Including Visual Fields in Diabetic Retinopathy, Gender Differences in Case Volume, and Private Equity Practices and Retinal Detachment Volume
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join for a journal club podcast discussion of three recent high-impact articles:Visual Fields in Diabetic Retinopathy (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00208-8/abstract)Gender Differences in Case Volume (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2833393)Private Equity Practices and Retinal Detachment Volume (https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01204?journalCode=hlthaff)Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi</p...
Episode 469: Surgical Retina Education with Dr. James Rice
Dr. James Rice from Capetown, South Africa joins Jay to discuss approaches to surgical education including preparation and low-cost models to practice maneuvers prior to entering the operating room.Relevant Financial Disclosures: None
Episode 468: June 2025 Retinal Physician Preview Including GLP-1RAs and Diabetic Retinopathy, DRCR.net Update, CRAO Protocol, Early Career Advice
Drs. Ramsudha Narala, Kat Talcott, and Sarwar Zahid join to preview the June 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, focusing on GLP-1RAs and diabetic retinopathy, DRCR.net trial updates, CRAO protocol implementation, and early career advice for attendings. Relevant Financial Disclosures: None
Episode 467: Personal Finance Refresher with Dr. Chirag Shah
Dr. Chirag Shah, co-author of Financial Freedom of Rx with Jay, joins the program to discuss personal finance in the context of current market conditions and best practices as trainees near graduation.
Episode 466: Journal Club Discussion Including Faricimab Switch Study, Gender Differences in Communication, Private Equity Acquisitions and Industry Payments, Sustainability and Cataract Surgery
Drs. Safa Rahmani, Jesse Sengillo, and Kat Talcott join for a journal club episode. Faricimab Switch Study (https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00124-1/abstract) Gender Differences in Communication (https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(25)00133-3/fulltext) PE Acquisitions and Industry Payments (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2830815) Sustainability and Cataract Surgery (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00135-6/abstract) Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Sridhar is a consultant for Genentech and Regeneron. You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 465: May 2025 Retinal Physician Preview Including Stem Cells, Microbots, Artificial Intelligence, and More
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join to preview the May 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, focusing on future developments in stem cells, microbots, artificial intelligence, and more.Relevant Financial Disclosures: None
Episode 464: Vit-Buckle Society Annual Meeting Pearls with Drs. Avni Finn and Jordan Deaner
Drs. Avni Finn and Jordan Deaner join the program to share clinical pearls and thoughts from the 2025 Vit-Buckle Society Annual Meeting.Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 463: The Great Retinal Detachment Game with Drs. Kyle Kovacs and Matthew Starr
Drs. Kovacs and Starr join for the latest gimmick the retina world is going wild for: how do you manage this retinal detachment scenario?Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 462: April 2025 Retinal Physician Preview Focusing on Current and Future Therapies for Neovascular AMD (and a Mention of Biosimilars for Uveitis)
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Priya Vakharia join to preview the April 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, focusing on current and future therapies for neovascular AMD.Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Sridhar has consulted for Genentech, Regeneron, and Eyepoint. Dr. Vakharia has consulted for Regeneron, Ocular Therapeutix, and Eyepoint.You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 461: Artificial Intelligence and Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening with Dr. Pete Campbell
Dr. Pete Campbell of the Casey Eye Institute joins to discuss applications of artificial intelligence for screening of retinopathy of prematurity. Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Campbell is co-founder and CEO of Siloam Vision, which is commercializing UWF-OCT, UWF-SLO and AI for ROP.You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 460: Journal Club Discussion Including Macula-Off Retinal Detachment Outcomes, Progression to PDR from NPDR after Cataract Surgery, and Sexual Harassment in Ophthalmology.
Drs. Rebecca Soares, Akshay Thomas, and Sarwar Zahid join the podcast for a journal club discussion covering three recent articles in major ophthalmology journals.Macula-Off Retinal Detachment Prognostic Factors (https://journals.lww.com/retinajournal/abstract/9900/preoperative_and_early_postoperative_factors.944.aspx)Progression to PDR from NPDR after Cataract Surgery (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00125-3/abstract)Sexual Harassment in Ophthalmology (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2830480)Relevant Financial Disclosures: NoneYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO...
Episode 459: March 2025 Retinal Physician Preview Focusing on PBM for Intermediate AMD, Complement Inhibition for GA, and Deep Learning for GA Imaging
Drs. Katherine Talcott and Akshay Thomas join to discuss the March 2025 edition of Retinal Physician focusing on dry age-related macular degeneration, including photobiomodulation, complement inhibition, and deep learning for imaging.Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Sridhar has consulted for Apellis.You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 458: Journal Club Including GLP-1 Agonists and AMD, Distribution of US Ophthalmologists, Representation Quotients in Ophthalmology Residency, Photobiomodulation Viewpoint
Drs. Akshay Thomas and Sarwar Zahid join the podcast to discuss 4 recent articles in major ophthalmology journals.GLP-1 Agonists (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(25)00070-3/fulltext)Distribution of US Ophthalmologists (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2828323)Representation Quotients in Ophthalmology Residency (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2828878)Photobiomodulation Viewpoint (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2829594)
Episode 457: Solo Retina Practice Revisited with Drs. Kruti Dajee, Andrew Hsia, and Nadeem Vaidya
Drs. Kruti Dajee, Andrew Hsia, and Nadeem Vaidya join the program to discuss solo retina practice in 2025.Disclosures: None relevantYou can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 456: From Chair to CEO with Dr. Jay Duker
Dr. Jay Duker joins the program to discuss his transition from chair of an ophthalmology department to President & CEO of Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals.Disclosures: Dr. Duker is President & CEO of Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Sridhar has consulted for Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals.You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi
Episode 455: Photobiomodulation Discussion with Dr. David Boyer
Dr. David Boyer joins the podcast to discuss the Lumithera Valeda (photobiomodulation) FDA approval and what it means for retina specialists and patients.Relevant Financial Disclosures: Dr. Boyer received research funding as a clinical trial site for Lumithera.You can claim CME credits for prior episodes via the AAO website. Visit https://www.aao.org/browse-multimedia?filter=Audi