In Episode 1 of From Paper to Clinic, host Hamza Shah, OD, MS, FAAO, is joined by Austin Lifferth, OD, FAAO, to discuss interventional glaucoma. In their conversation, they emphasize a proactive approach over only traditional topical treatments, highlighting the benefits of procedural treatments like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), which offers better disease control, reduced productivity loss, and improved patient outcomes.

They also discuss the importance of goniotomy as an initial step and the need for optometrists to adopt interventional glaucoma practices. Lifford also outlines the stages of glaucoma and the frequency of follow-ups, stressing the importance of correlation between tests. They collectively predict a future shift towards more procedural treatments, aiming for a proactive approach to glaucoma management.

The paper inspiring this discussion is the "Interventional glaucoma consensus treatment protocol" from Funke et al, published in Expert Review of Ophthalmology.

Welcome to From Paper to Clinic, a podcast focused on evidence-based eye care and real-world clinical decision-making, hosted by Dr. Hamza Shah, OD, MS, FAAO, a faculty member at the University of Houston College of Optometry. His work spans clinical patient care, education, and mentoring, and his clinical interests include ocular disease, dry eye, perioperative care, and—above all—the challenge of translating information into meaningful patient outcomes.

The premise of From Paper to Clinic is rooted in a familiar tension in eye care. Clinicians are constantly exposed to new studies, evolving guidelines, and emerging technologies, yet applying those insights in a busy clinic—often with complex patients and imperfect circumstances—is rarely straightforward. Too often, discussions on these resources end with what was published, without addressing how that information fits into real clinical workflows or nuanced decision-making.

New episodes of the podcast will premiere on the first Monday of each month, with each episode taking a different approach. Rather than reciting study methods or statistics, From Paper to Clinic uses a recent publication as a catalyst for deeper conversation. Together with his expert guests, Shah examines how published ideas influence clinical thinking, how they are adapted in practice, and where gray areas or limitations still exist. These conversations acknowledge that medicine is rarely binary—and that judgment remains essential.

The series will feature experts from across eye care, including glaucoma, retina, myopia management, ocular surface disease, perioperative care, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in ophthalmology and optometry. Whether you are a practicing clinician, resident, or student, the goal is to provide conversations that are relevant, grounded, and immediately applicable to day-to-day care.

>>Episode 1 coming Monday, March 2, at 8 AM EST<<

The first full episode of From Paper to Clinic will debut in early March and will feature Austin Lifferth, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, focusing on glaucoma and the evolving concept of interventional treatment strategies. Listeners are invited to join the conversation as the series explores how evidence moves… from paper to clinic.