In Episode 3 of From Paper to Clinic, “AI in Eye Care: From Diabetic Retinopathy to the Clinic of the Future,” Michael Twa, OD, PhD, joins the show to discuss artificial intelligence (AI). In the conversation, the pair discusses how AI is reshaping eye care, beginning with its success in retinal image analysis for diabetic retinopathy and expanding to more complex conditions like AMD, where challenges in sensitivity, specificity, and nuanced image interpretation become more pronounced.

They also discuss how AI can primarily serve as a decision-support tool rather than a standalone diagnostician, emphasizing the inevitability of false positives and negatives and the importance of clinician oversight, as well as the rise of chatbots and agentic AI, from tools handling routine post–cataract surgery follow-ups to future systems that could coordinate appointments, labs, referrals, and population-level outcome analysis via EHR-integrated AI.

The paper inspiring this discussion is "A Review of Recent Developments in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Technologies for Ophthalmology Referrals and Clinical Practice" by Paredes et al, published in Medical Science Monitor.

In Episode 2 of From Paper to Clinic, host Hamza Shah, OD, MS, FAAO, is joined by Raman Bhakhri, OD, FAAO, to discuss geographic atrophy. In their conversation, they discuss the theory that peripheral retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells might contribute to macular geographic atrophy (GA) by migrating inadequately.

They also discuss the analogy with limbal stem cells in the cornea and the importance of monitoring the peripheral retina. Bakri highlights the limitations of current research, such as the lack of clinical trials and the applicability of animal studies to humans, and the pair explores potential new therapeutic strategies and the role of optometrists in patient care, emphasizing the importance of preventive medicine and low-vision assistance.

The paper inspiring this discussion is "Is geographic atrophy a peripheral retinal disease?" from Del Priore, published in Ophthalmology: Retina.

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.