EMPOWER - Seeing the Cornea Clearly

Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, chats with Rachael Wruble, OD, who owns a private practice in North Carolina and is cold-starting another. Dr. Wruble says that one of the defining features that makes her practice stand out from others is having up to four ODs with different specialties providing care at any given time, making possible a diverse range of care. Her practice's motto: "If you take care of patients, they'll take care of you." Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO Financial disclosure: Consultant for Glaukos. Rachael Wruble, OD Financial disclosure: None

In this accompanying EMPOWER podcast, Dr. Lang joins Dr. Barnett and Dr. Gelles to take a closer look at the evolving role of corneal imaging in keratoconus management. They evaluate how topography, tomography, OCT, and wavefront aberrometry can provide complementary insights, as well as discussing how incorporating these technologies into existing workflows may help clinicians recognize keratoconus suspects before disease progression compromises their long-term visual potential.

Podcast host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, talks with ODs who contributed to MOD’s recent cataract and refractive surgery issue. Ranjani Panda, OD, FAAO, discusses how to identify ideal candidates for refractive surgery. She notes that choosing the right procedure isn’t just about a patient’s refraction; rather, more emphasis should be placed on their expectations and whether a procedure will realistically be able to meet them. She highlights the importance of “underpromising and overdelivering” when it comes to patient education. Jason Chin, OD, FAAO, then chats about, “The Conundrums With Geriatric Patients and Contact Lenses.” He notes that his article was inspired by an elderly patient who had 16 contact lenses stuck in her eye. He adds that this is a common occurrence in older patients who experience memory issues, highlighting the necessity of honest conversation about contact lens use discontinuation or more frequent follow-up visits as a patient ages, sometimes even involving their family.

In the newest EMPOWER podcast episode, Dr. Jacob Lang sits down with Dr. Josh Davidson (Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals) and Dr. Mark Dunbar (Azura Ophthalmics, Bausch + Lomb, Harrow, Sun Pharmaceutical) to discuss how modern dry eye management extends beyond a single treatment option. Together, they explore combination therapy, advances in pharmacology, meibomian gland dysfunction, and practical strategies for integrating new therapies into everyday clinical practice to help patients achieve more consistent relief.

Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, chats with Brooke Messer, OD, FAAO, of Vance Thompson Vision, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dr. Bloomenstein picks Dr. Messer’s brain about what’s new in the ocular technology and treatment space that’s either being researched or implemented at Vance Thompson. The pair cover glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconus, the appropriate associated management strategies, and the vision expectations for each.

In the latest EMPOWER podcast episode, Dr. Jacob Lang leads a discussion with Dr. Dunbar and Dr. Garlich on how to integrate drops, lenses, and lifestyle considerations into a cohesive presbyopia strategy. From managing patient expectations to selecting the right modality, or combination of modalities, the conversation highlights practical approaches for improving satisfaction and long-term success.

Podcast host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, talks with ODs who contributed to MOD’s recent aesthetics issue. Haley Perry, OD, discusses the optometrist as a salesperson and how to bridge the gap between doing what is best for the patient (and the practice) versus allowing insurance to dictate treatment. Kianna Swanson, OD, then chats about the ocular side effects of cancer medications and the importance of involving these patients in therapy decisions that prioritize maintaining and managing their comfort while on systemic medication.

Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, talks with Gina Wesley, OD, MS, FAAO, who owns a private practice in Medina, Minnesota. Dr. Wesley cold-started her clinic almost 20 years ago with an initial focus on contact lenses that shifted to dry eye management. She notes that dry eye treatment works in tandem with ocular appearance improvement—a win-win for patients. In this episode, she covers ocular aesthetic treatments ranging from dynamic muscle stimulation and radiofrequency to intense pulsed light and low-level light therapy, emphasizing the importance of proper lid hygiene and habits.

In the first EMPOWER podcast episode of 2026, Dr. Jacob Lang leads a conversation with Dr. Jaclyn Garlich and Dr. Melissa Barnett on the evolving role of contact lens technology in modern optometric practice. The discussion highlights strategies for fitting daily lenses, managing dry eye and presbyopia in contact lens patients, and setting realistic expectations to support long-term patient success.

Podcast host Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, talks with Sierra Tisdelle, OD, FAAO, and Alison Mercer, OD, about their upcoming article, "Is It More Than Dry Eye Disease?" Specifically, the pair discusses the tips, tricks, and tests to keep in mind when you may be dealing with an autoimmune rheumatic disease, as well as the related treatments and therapies. Dr. Koetting wraps up the episode by introducing Modern Optometry’s new Editor-in-Chief Jen Kirby, who answers questions about what readers can expect from Modern Optometry moving forward.